Page 21 of Luck Be a Genie

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. “When I was a beat cop, I cared about my partners. I did. We protected each other and watched each other’s backs. But that level of caring is entirely different than what I feel for you, Lucky. I know you’re not ready for the words, and I’m not going to say them yet, but I’m not in this to mess around. My feelings run deep for you. Which means I want you to be as safe and as protected as possible.” He was quiet for a moment before he asked quietly, “Is that so wrong?”

“No.” I sighed, closing my eyes again. “It’s not. And you’re right. I was too impulsive and just chased after him without thinking it through. I could have at least shouted for you first.” I opened my eyes and looked at him again. Which I thought was pretty brave, considering the haze of pain I was feeling was starting to make my stomach churn. “I’ll be more careful in the future.”

His smile was small but genuine. “You think this is going to happen again?”

I laughed and then winced, holding a hand to my head. “Lots. I’m not sure how many times my purse has been stolen, but I think I hold the world record.” I was trying for levity, but Nick didn’t seem amused. His brow furrowed in a frown.

“That must be rough. You need a bodyguard, Lucks.”

I smirked. “Are you volunteering?”

He got up and slowly leaned over me until his body was caging me in, his face inches from mine.

My eyes widened with shock as he stared at me like I was everything to him.

“Always.”

The doctor had been able to get us in and out quickly, and was sending me back to the resort with the advice to take it easy for a few days. For the rest of the day, she had a list of things she wanted me to take a break from, which included swimming, driving, reading, and watching TV, just to name a few. What in the world was I supposed to do with my time, then? Make shadow puppets on the wall? She also recommended I stay inside for the rest of the day, because the light was still sending evil shards of pain into my skull, but then to try to get outside tomorrow if I was feeling a bit better.

Nick slid the card through the door reader for me, and then opened the door into my suite. Unlike this morning when he’d picked me up, he seemed to take more of my room in this time as he looked around. When he spotted the stuffed pig his brother had sent me yesterday as an apology gift on my bed, he frowned.

“What’s my brother’s gift doing on your bed?”

“Because I like it,” I said, avoiding his gaze and trying to avoid giving him the real reason. “It’s cute.”

His eyebrow went up as he moved to rifle through my drawers, and pull out some comfortable-looking pajamas for me. “But why is it on your bed, Lucks?”

I sighed in defeat as I took the pajamas from him and headed to the bathroom to change. Calling through the door as I stripped, I said, “Because it’s comfortable to sleep with. It’s cuddly.”

“I’m cuddly.” He sounded pouty now, and I snorted in amusement.

Changing the subject, I said, “You can stay in the room with me if you want, because I know you’re worried about me, but you’re not getting on my bed.”

He was quiet as I brushed my teeth really quickly, took off my makeup, then got a cloth damp with warm water, squeezed it out, and cleaned the rest of my face off. Feeling a bit better with that done, I opened the door again, only to find Nick standing there with a large, blue stuffed elephant in his hands. He handed it to me and I squeezed it gently, pulling it close to my body. It was as soft as a marshmallow.

Nick put his hands in his pockets. “These are popular with people. They like the squishiness.” His eyes flicked toward me briefly before he went to pull my blankets down to make it easier for me to get in. “It’s good for sleeping with. I skimmed the reviews really quickly.”

I laughed, then winced. “Thank you. This was sweet. But you’re not fooling anyone, Nick Steele.”

He flashed me a smirk. “I wasn’t trying to be subtle, sunshine.” Then he patted the bed. “Here, I’ll help you in, then I’m going to go grab a few things you might need, and a few things the doctor recommended.”

He helped me in, then kissed my eyelids. “I’m gonna steal your room key, but I’ll be right back.”

I was already drifting to sleep. “Kay. Thanks, Nick.”

Nick-

Letting Lucky rest, I made my way down to one of the resort’s stores to pick up a few things.

I grabbed a cart and started adding stuff to it. This was one of the two stores on the resort that carried snacks and drinks, but also things like medicines and swimsuits. It was kind of an all-purpose general store.

My phone buzzed in my back pocket. I fished it out and scowled at the name.

Big Bro.

“Why are you calling me again?” I scanned the snack cakes section trying to find the chocolate cupcakes Lucky liked. “Did mom ask you to check up on me? Because I’m fine.”

A man halfway down the aisle from me, not even really trying to be all that sneaky, shoved something into his pocket and then continued casually down the aisle, pretending he was looking for something.