Page 111 of Worth Loving You

This was a no-win situation.

Huffing, I rubbed at my forehead, all my lust fizzling to disappointment. “Hang on. I’ll go knock on her bedroom door and check on her.”

She pulled her lips between her teeth and whimpered at the mention of her.

In my head, I walked the proper amount of steps to her room, stretched my arm out, and knocked on my bedroom door. Then I pressed the phone to my chest, stepped to the bed, and bent over to whisper.

“Tell him you’re sick. You’re fine, it’s just the flu, or something.”

She nodded, tears pooling against the bridge of her nose.

I squatted and said, “Hey, it’s boss. He wants to talk to you.”

Placing the phone to her ear, I bent forward to listen.

“Hello?”

“Hey, baby girl. What’s going on? I’ve called you several times and you didn’t answer.”

“I’m sorry,” she muttered, her voice quivering, her stare locked on mine. “I…I don’t feel well, so I’ve had the phone on vibrate.”

“What’s wrong? What do you mean, you don’t feel well?”

“I dunno, I think it’s the flu or something.”

“My poor baby girl. Well, I’m coming home early, I’ll be there tomorrow, so I can take care of you.”

Her lids rounded. “N-No, that’s not necessary. I don’t want to get you sick, too.”

“You need me.”

“I know, I know. I just…I-I don’t want you getting sick when I’m almost over it, because then you might not feel well enough to celebrate my birthday this weekend.”

“I do have something special planned for your birthday,” he chuckled, his voice deepening.

Special. He was going to propose. He would give her a ring, ask her to marry him, and she would say yes. What the hell was I doing? Why was I doing this to myself? I started something that quickly turned into emotions out of my control, and now I was the one who was going to suffer the most. She and Milo would start their lives together, while I stood on the sidelines, watching, continuing to be her bodyguard, cringing inside because I loved this woman.

The corner of her mouth curled, the emotions in her eyes shifting as I was forgotten to focus on the man she loved.

“See?” she whispered, her cheeks blushing.

I rolled my eyes and looked away, shaking my head. I was a fucking idiot. How the hell did I manage to fall in love with the woman I hated? I was just supposed to try to seduce her to see if she was loyal. That was it. I lost control and, looking back, I couldn’t even tell where that turn took place.

“I need you good and healthy. This is going to be the best birthday of my life. I would rather you stay away for another couple days, than risk you coming home and getting sick.”

He heaved a loud groan. “All right. Just take care of yourself, baby girl. I need you good as new when I do get home.”

“Okay. I’ll be better soon.”

“Wyatt taking good care of you?”

I clucked my teeth and bowed my head, pinching the bridge of my nose, shame filling my stomach. Since he was three years old, I had one purpose: be his shadow, protector, confidant…his friend, his rock. And here I was, throwing away everything I knew, everything I was about, for a woman who would never love me. She could never be mine. She could get me killed.

“Of course,” she squeaked, her voice shaking again. “Milo?” She cleared her throat, closing her eyes. “I…I don’t feel well. I think I might get sick. Can I call you back in a little bit?”

His tone changed and I cringed, hearing the love he had for her in his voice. “I’m so sorry, baby girl. I wish I could be there for you.”

“Me, too, but I’m just going to be sleeping. I’ll see you in a couple days.”