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“Okay, calm down, killer. Murder is on your Google calendar next week.” She points to her medication. “I have epilepsy, and I have it under control, but I’ve never lived away from my sisters. They know what to do if?—”
“If you have aseizure?” I fume, “Jesus, Ruby, you work for me. Why didn’t you tell me this before? I need to protect you.”
She lifts her chin. “My disability is none of your business. I told Helen, not you. She knows what to do.”
“Why wouldn’t you tellme?”
“Because ofthat.” She points to my face. “You look all caring and sweet. Like you actually give a shit about me, and it dangerously teeters on pity, and I’d rather kneel and kiss your feet thaneversuffer your pity.”
The image rouses my dick, a smile threatening my lips. I can’t stop it. “Is that an offer?”
“Fuck you.” A smile threatens her lips, too. “And that’snotan offer, by the way. Just YouTube what you need to do if I have a seizure.”
“I get atonic ones,” she explains. “I drop like a wet noodle, so just learn how to put me in the recovery position, on my side, and count how long it lasts, and if it gets close to three minutes, use that nasal spray in that white plastic container.” She points to it. “I keep one in my purse and one by my bed. It’s deadly if I’m out longer than that.”
As if I’d let anything happen to her. “What else do you need?”
“Um, I can’t take baths or swim alone. It’s not a good idea for me to cook. Oh, and when I’m out, I’m completely vulnerable. I wear a smart watch and hope it doesn’t get stolen.” She waves her wrist. “So no more GenZ sexting. I’ll text with this if I need help, which I’d really hate because I’m fine, so don’t mention it again.”
“Fine.” Goddamn, I love her pride. And holy shit, I’m falling so hard. “I’ll keep harassing and stalking you and being a dickhead. No special treatment, I promise.”
Again, she fights a smile, and it’s so breathtaking, my fucking chest hurts.
“Do you have any allergies I need to know about?”
“I already told you.” She wrinkles her nose. “Love. I break out in hives and can’t breathe and shit.”
I grin. “I think that’s called ‘blushing’ and ‘crushing on someone’ and shit.”
“Just so we’re clear, roomie…” Her eyes sharpen. “How many of your dozen girlfriends will be blushing and crushing here?”
Oh, do I detect notes of jealousy?
Subtle hints of caring?
“A dozen?” I laugh. “Even my dick couldn’t keep up with that much pussy. And just sowe’reclear…” I point between us, risking a step closer to her. “I’m a one-woman kind of mafia man. I won’t fuck around on my queen; I’ll worship her.”
I’ll worship you.
“Then tell me,” she demands, “who’s after us? Because I’m not a dumbass damsel for any man.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll protect you.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t trust anyone to protect me but my sisters.”
“And I don’t need your permission. I’ve decided I’ll protect you. It’s done.”
“Spoken like a true stalker,” she huffs. “So much for my consent, and just another reason not to trust you.”
“Trust? You’re the one who spied on me, so I don’t trust you, either. You’re smart as hell, but you take too many risks. You can’t control your mouth, and you’re too fucking stubborn to listen,” I smirk, “unless it’s with an illegal device.”
“Fine. That’s fair.” She aims her hairdryer at me like a gun. “You say I have to earn your trust because I spied on you tonight and?—”
“Tonight?” I seethe, “Trynine months.”
“Okay, fine. Whatever. But my whole life, I’ve never trusted men. They’ve never protected me. They’ve only hurt me and my sisters.”
My nostrils flare. “I willnothurt you, Ruby. No matter what. YouWILLtrust me on that.”