Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
“I got something else for ya,” I whisper, leaning in and kissing her long and hard.
The phone in her hand pings, and I ease back on the throttle. I tell myself to let her wake up properly and do what girls do before I lay out the plans I’ve made for the rest of today and every day from now on.
She checks her phone, and her expression shifts to a look I don’t like. I feel a jolt in my gut that spells trouble. She scans the message twice before her eyes widen. She hurries to get out of bed.
“What is it?” I ask, hating whatever’s happened already because it’s made her look so worried.
“I got to go,” she says hurriedly, slipping out of my grasp when I try to grab hold of her, not even looking at me.
“Just… I got to go.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jasmine
This day has given me so much. I feel like a princess or maybe a queen now that I’m officially not a little girl anymore. So, I was shocked but not surprised when I got Phil’s message.
Iris is in the hospital. She took a bad turn after I left, and he wants me to go see her. At her age, any illness most people soldier through could be life-threatening, so I feel myself springing into action.
Leaping out of James’ bed and rushing to dress, I get a sick feeling in my stomach as I shake my head, kicking myself for thinking that someone like me could have something good happen for once. But no. Life always seems to want to balance out those good times with a cruel serving of bad whenever something nice happens to me.
That’s what it feels like, anyway.
As for James? I wish I had the time to sit down and explain everything. Tell him how much Iris means to me and how she’s more like family than a friend.
Iris needs me. I need her, and I know Phil needs all the support he can get right now. So, with a million emotions running through my body and brain, I rush to go.
James’ calm and deep voice eventually brings me back to reality. His huge naked body blocks the doorway as he instructs me to tell him what’s happening. I figure I owe him some sort of explanation, at least. He’s quick to remind me of something when I give him the quick version of events—filling him in on not just where Iris is, but how much she means to me and why.
“How are you going to get to the hospital?” he asks, creasing his brow and looking annoyed. Not because I’m leaving, but because I’m trying to do it without his help.
“I’ll catch a cab,” I reason, feeling all my adrenalin fade and my knees feel weak. The pleasant ache between my legs, courtesy of James, as well as the need to have him hold me, lay with me, and talk about nothing instead of dealing with this right now, hits me like a nine-pound hammer.
“I’ll take you there myself,” he says matter-of-factly.
I feel relieved because he doesn’t think I’m abandoning him and actually makes me smile when he reaches for his key, holding open the door.
“Uhhh… you forgetting something?” I ask, cocking my brow and scanning his nakedness.
“Hmmm… suppose I could make myself decent,” he murmurs, shooting me an apologetic look, promising he’ll only be a minute after ordering me to relax.
“Everything’ll be fine,” he assures me, moving swiftly to dress, amazing me as I automatically follow him.
I watch in awe as he transforms from a naked beefcake into a sharply dressed professional in what feels like seconds. It’s kind of like watching a superhero transform but in reverse.
In moments, we’re in his car again. He drives assertively but safely, weaving in and out of traffic, fully aware of how anxious I am. He’s doing everything he can in his power to get me to Iris quickly and safely. I think he gets how important Iris is to me.
“Thank you,” I hear myself shiver, almost crying when his huge hand reaches out for mine—squeezing it without a word but telling me everything with a single touch.
The same hands give me so much pleasure and know how to comfort me when I need it, making me realize how special James really is. All with the same powerful, in-control presence that he carries so naturally. I’ve always doubted that “a real man” existed, but I was wrong.
It’s getting dark by the time we reach the hospital. The same one we left earlier today looks foreboding in the light drizzle. James parks near the entrance. I know by now to wait for him to open the door for me.
Forever the gentleman, he lifts me out of the car by my hand and gives me another reassuring squeeze. His huge arm is around my shoulders as he guides me inside. Making his way to the glassed-off reception area, I feel like Iris is in safe hands already when he explains the situation to a nurse, who’s quick to buzz us through.