He rolls his eyes, which irritates me even more. “I’m no angel, but my wild living would’ve been knocked into second place by you. You’ve been burning the candle at both ends.” He directs a suddenly sharp look at me. “It’s got to stop.”
“Oh,really?” I say dangerously.
Completely oblivious to his precarious position, he continues, “Yes. That’s what this is about. You need to get clean.”
“Clean? I haven’t been down a fucking mine.” He frowns. “Oh, relax for fuck’s sake. I didn’t even intend to take the drugs, so it’s not exactly my fault.”
“But you have been on them.” His eyes are a fierce molten grey. “You lost the Bliss job because you were high.”
“Who told you that?” I shake my head. “Pip, I suppose.”
“It’s common knowledge in the industry.”
“Which you are not a part of anymore, unless it’s to turn up and spy on me.”
“Spy?” His voice has gone high. “I don’t need to spy. I’m right here while you vomit and shake on me.”
“And has it escaped your attention that I could have been in a nice hotel room rather than enduring the journey from hell?” A guilty look crosses his face. “And the reason for that was because you kidnapped me.”
The guilt vanishes, and he makes a scoffing noise that makes me want to punch him. “It was hardly kidnapping.”
“The only thing missing was a ransom note.”
He takes a deep breath. “And who would pay that, Xavi?”
“Don’tcall me that. Plenty of people would,” I flare.
“I can name them on one hand.”
“So?”
He runs his hand through his hair. “I’m just saying that you’re amazing. You’re beautiful, bold, clever, and brave.” Reluctant warmth kindles in my stomach. “And I would like to see you with a huge friendship group and someone special who seesyouand not just the beautiful supermodel.”
It’s probably not his intention, but he makes me feel rather pathetic. “Oh, really?” I say, sweet and poisonous. “That’s what you want, is it? Someone special to appreciate me?”
He swallows hard, and I open my mouth to say something else. I usually would—it’s our pattern in life. But suddenly the fight leaves me, and I slump against the pillows. I don’t want to do this now.
He must sense it, because his own body relaxes, but his face remains determined as he leans over me, planting his hands on either side of my body. This close, I can see the dark flecks in his eyes and smell the scent of him—sandalwood and something that’s just him. I swallow hard. “I don’t want to fight with you, baby, but I’m putting you on notice. I am going to get you better in yourself, and you need to help me with that.”
“Oh, I do, do I?”
He nods, a spark of amusement suddenly flaring in his eyes. “Yes. You and I are going to be spending a lot of time together, after all.”
“I must have been very wicked.”
“That’s not exactly up for debate.” He reaches for the tray, placing it on my lap. “Eat your breakfast before it gets cold.”
I look down at the plate and blanch. “Did you prepare food for fifty people?” He snorts, but I carry on staring at the food inhorrified fascination. “Oh mygod, how many fucking carbs are in this?”
We both look at the plate. “A few,” he finally says.
“A few? Toast, sausages, and bacon.” My eyes widen. “Are these potatoesfried?”
His lip twitches. “I think you can take the day off from dieting, don’t you? Considering you lost most of your insides over the side of the Lochaline ferry.”
I glare at him. “That’s your fault too.”
He stands up with his eyes twinkling. “Undoubtedly. I am singlehandedly responsible for all the woes in the world.”
