“This isn’t up for debate, cupcake,” he interrupted, that hint of amusement slipping in as he gently pulled me out of my seatand onto his lap. “You’re staying here for another day. Take a real break. For me, please.”
“Isn’t it bad enough I’ve already been staying with you while I recover and you paid my hospital bill? At least let me pay you back.”
“You’re not paying me back, Cupcake. Get that out of your head right now.” His voice dropped, low and sharp, and I could see the muscle in his jaw tick.
“Okay,” I murmured, biting my bottom lip. Clearly,nowwasn’t the best time to bring up a payment plan. I’d ask him later or at least find some way to thank him properly. “You can’t keep me here forever, you know.” I shot him a playful glare, though the warmth bubbling in my chest made it hard to stay annoyed.
“I can try,” Nathan smirked, looking far too pleased with himself. “Besides, living with me hasn’t been as terrible as you thought, right?”
“No,” I said begrudgingly, lips curving into a reluctant smile. “It hasn’t.”
The truth was, I didn’t mind being here with him. It felt natural.
“Just one more day, I promise,” Nathan said. “Then you can go home.”
“Fine,” I huffed.
“I’d love to keep talking,” Nathan added, that familiar mischievous grin spreading across his face, “but your surprise is about to arrive.”
“Surprise?” I blinked. “What surprise?”
Before I could pressure him to tell me more, the elevator chimed softly. I sat up straighter, my attention shifting as the doors slid open. A woman stepped out, composed and unhurried, like she belonged in spaces like this. She looked to be in her mid thirties, her dark hair pulled back into a sleek low bun. Her makeup was minimal, her skin glowing in thateffortless, well-kept way. She wore a fitted black set, simple but polished, paired with low heels, and carried a structured leather bag in one hand. Her gaze landed on me immediately, warm but professional. “I’m here for your appointment,” she continued, her tone calm and even. “Mr. Edge arranged everything.” She lifted the bag slightly. “I’ll just need a space to set up, and then we can get started whenever you’re ready.”
“Rest. Relax. That’s an order.” Nathan pressed a soft kiss on the top of my head.
“Bossy,” I muttered, though the grin spreading across my face gave me away. I stood up from Nathan’s lap and Nathan stood up as well.
“And you love it,” he teased before heading in the direction of his home office, leaving me standing in his dining room, heart fluttering because annoyingly he was right. Ididlove it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
ELISE
I WOKE UPto silence.
Not the kind that wrapped you in comfort, but the strange kind that pulled you awake and made you notice things you usually wouldn’t.
The bed beside me was warm, the sheets still indented where Nathan had been lying. But he wasn’t there.
For a moment, panic pricked at me. Old habits, leftover from the weeks of fear when Jax could’ve been anywhere. I sat up, listening, and that’s when I heard the faint creak of the floorboards downstairs, the low hum of a TV somewhere in the distance.
I slid out of bed, padding quietly until I found him.
Nathan was on the couch, the glow of the muted television washing over his face. His elbows rested on his knees, his hands raked through his hair. His eyes weren’t on the screen, though. They were far away and unfocused.
He didn’t notice me at first. His chest rose and fell too fast, like he was stuck in some memory.
“Couldn’t sleep?” I asked softly.
His head jerked up, the mask sliding over his face almost instantly. Almost. Because I saw the exhaustion in his eyes, the heaviness in his shoulders before he could hide it away.
“I didn’t mean to wake you.” His voice was rough and a little too even.
“You didn’t.” I walked closer, sitting beside him. “But you’ve been up for a while, haven’t you?”
He didn’t answer right away. He just rubbed his palms together, staring down at them like the words he wanted to say were carved into his skin. Finally, he exhaled.
“I thought I was doing better. That I had beaten my insomnia. I haven’t had any trouble sleeping over the last week or so.” He explained.
