Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
“Y-yes.”
“Next time, though, you better run to us, not away, understood?”
“Yes. I w-will try.”
“You’re a good girl, Bebe. Don’t forget that, okay? Gonna go run that bath.”
She had to blink back her tears at his words. That ‘good girl’ didn’t have the same impact as it did coming from Corbin.
But, sheesh, she still liked it.
And she wasn’t sure what that said about her.
“He’s really running me a bath?” she whispered. Somehow, she thought Hayes would be the last person to do something like that for her.
Half of the time, she still wasn’t even sure he liked her.
“He likes you,” Corbin told her, as though he’d read her mind. “And trust me, that’s not common for Hayes. Pretty sure he still doesn’t like me.”
She had to smile at that. It was ridiculous.
“Why are you smiling?” he asked, carrying her toward the staircase.
“Because that’s crazy. Who wouldn’t like you?”
“Well, thanks.”
“You’re like a Golden Retriever or a Labrador. Everyone loves labs, right?”
Stilling, he frowned down at her. “I’m a lab?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Um, pretty sure I’m not a goofy, fluffy Labrador. I’m more of a Doberman or a Mastiff.”
Hmm.
He really wasn’t.
Now, Hayes . . . he was more of a bulldog or perhaps a Cane Corso. But Corbin . . . definitely a Labrador. However, he didn’t seem to appreciate that so she bit her tongue.
He grunted. “Glad you see it my way.”
Yeah. She really didn’t.
Corbin headed up the stairs with her in his arms.
“I can walk, you know.”
“I know.”
“So you should probably put me down.”
“No.”
Her eyebrows rose. No? That was pretty blunt for him.
“No?”
“I’m carrying you. No arguments.”
“You’re being very bossy tonight.”
“Not something you’d expect from a Labrador, right?”
Oh no.
Had she actually hurt his feelings?
“You’re right. You’re definitely more of a pit bull,” she agreed.
“Damn right.”
Oh dear. Men. Their egos were so sensitive.
He carried her into the bathroom. Her bathroom didn’t have a tub, so this was the bathroom that he and Hayes shared.
She wasn’t certain what she was expecting, but to her shock, it was spotless.
“Bath is ready. I checked the temperature. It won’t burn,” Hayes said. “I’m going to go check security.” He left the bathroom abruptly.
“Is he all right?” she asked.
“Yeah. I think so. Do you need some help taking a bath?” Corbin asked, still holding onto her.
Did he intend on ever letting her go?
“Uh, no. I think I can manage.”
He frowned and set her down on the bathroom counter. Instead of leaving, though, he caged her in with his hands resting on the counter on either side of her.
“I want you to listen to me. Listen and take it in, okay?”
Uh-oh.
This sounded very serious, but she felt like she’d had enough seriousness for one night.
“You got it, boss.” She gave a salute, but his lips didn’t twitch. He continued to stare at her solemnly.
“I don’t ever want you to think that you don’t matter. Because you matter a great deal. You are funny, kind, smart, and gorgeous. The world is a better place with you in it. And you need to hear that and believe it.”
“Corbin,” she whispered. She hadn’t been going to hurt herself.
Or she didn’t think she had been.
“If you ever need anything. Someone to talk to. Someone to help you. Even if it’s something like helping you open a jar of pickles or move a heavy bookcase or give you a hug. I’m there. Unconditionally. Got me?”
Her nose stung and she had to fight to hold back her tears. She blinked several times.
“Yeah. I got you.”
Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead. His lips lingered, burning her cool skin.
“Hayes is right. You are a very good girl.”
Damn. There it was.
Good girl.
Killing. Her.
24
Bebe ignored the knocking on her bedroom door. She shoved herself farther under the covers.
She was feeling too vulnerable and tired to get up today. After her bath last night, she’d actually managed to fall asleep right away.
And she’d slept until after ten. Which was unheard of for her. But after getting up to use the bathroom quickly, she’d jumped back into bed.
She simply wasn’t ready to face the day and everything that had happened last night.
God. Her mother. The show. The bridge.
Corbin.
He’d called her baby. She loved that. No one had ever called her baby. Or ripped off their shirt to give it to her because she was cold. Or carried her just because they could.
No one had ever chased after her when she was upset . . . of course, it was his job to keep her safe.
But it wasn’t his job to actually care.
“Bebe, let me in, darling.”
Baby and darling?
Had she died and gone to heaven?
Don’t give in. You cannot give in to your feelings for him. In less than two weeks, he’s leaving. You just have to hold on for that long.
Have some willpower, woman!
“I just want to check you’re all right. Then I’ll leave you alone.”