Page 14 of Nothing to Beat

“You’re not well.”

“I’m fine,” she said, though he was completely adorable.“I’ve passed out before.”

“You have never passed out before.”

And his certainty was… huh… “I haven’t?”As he called the elevator, she searched her memory.“No, I don’t think I have.Or, maybe, I just don’t remember.”

“All the more reason you shouldn’t be living alone.”

Her body arched as flirtation threatened her lips but… no, she wasn’t supposed to be flirting with him or thinking about anything remotely… flirty around him.

“You’re supposed to stay twenty-five feet away from me.”

It wasn’t until they were in the elevator that his hooded eyes met hers.“This is serious.”

“It is not serious.I fell over.”

And had no memory of it, that was normal… wasn’t it?

“Were you drinking alcohol?”

“I was not drinking alcohol,” she said like she might to the school principal in high school.

Well, other people, she’d never been called to the principal’s office.No principal would dare.

“Healthy, non-intoxicated women do not fall over for no reason.”Okay, maybe.“And you claim there’s no baby.”

“I can’t believe you asked me that in front of your mother.What were you thinking?”

“It’s been a month and any time I try to get close—”

“We had this discussion.The baby is not your responsibility.”

“You lied?There is a baby?”

“No!I did not lie,” she said.This wasn’t so cute anymore.“Would you stop scowling at me like that?Since when is judgment welcome in our relationship?”

“It’s not judgment, it’s…”

The elevator opened and out he went without finishing the thought.The long, carpeted hallway was one she recognized.High up in Crimson, they were on a private floor of suites, reserved only for Roxie and Zairn’s special guests.

She didn’t complain when he took her into one of the suites, or when he carried on through to lay her down in one of the bedrooms.

No, it was when he went for her shoes that she rebelled and pulled her legs away.“Don’t take off my shoes.”

“Why not?”

“We’re not having sex.”

Another voice interrupted.“Least wait until the doc’s checked her out, bro.Have some class.”Breck stepped aside and there was Tripp sauntering on in to join them.He came to sit with her, propping a fist by her hip to lean in and kiss her temple.“You should’ve called me.”

Their eyes met.“I’m not pregnant.”

“That’s not what I’m hearing.”

“Because your brother opened his big, stupid mouth in front of people.There’s no baby—” Except this was Tripp.“I don’t think there’s a baby—I don’t know if there’s a baby.”

“You took a test?”