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Nothing good had ever come from that bastard paying attention to you.
However, he’d always been able to charm his way into and out of trouble. Women always approached him, he didn’t have to pursue them. And he’d never had any issues getting people to do what he wanted.
Except for her.
He’d never felt the need to protect and care for someone like he did her . . . and frankly, that scared the shit out of him. His feelings for her were far more intense than anything he’d ever felt before.
And you need to just keep it friendly, remember?
You aren’t looking for anything more.
However this stubborn brat needed to learn that when he told her to do something, she should do it.
“You aren’t a fucking hassle,” he told her as he swept her up into his arms. “And I ought to spank your ass for calling yourself one.”
“That’s not very nice.”
“Never claimed to be nice.”
“That’s good. Because you aren’t.”
He had to grin. “You’re always sassing me.”
“I am not.”
“Yeah, baby. You are. And you need to learn to stay where you’re put.”
She huffed a breath as he carried her into her apartment. “I do not.”
“Yeah. You do. I told you to wait for me, and then I found you wandering off down the hallway. What did you think you were doing?” He set her down on the chair again, waiting a moment to see if she’d try to move. But she just laid her head back, closing her eyes.
“Thirsty.”
“I’ll get you a drink. You will not move, understand me?” He made his voice as stern as he could.
“You got it, Maxy-Moo.”
Crap.
This time, she only got as far as the bed before he was back.
He sighed. “What am I going to do with you, Aston?”
“I dunno. You can yell at me if you want. I’m used to that.”
What the fuck?
“Who the fuck yells at you?”
She winced. “You just did.”
Crap. Fuck. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to yell.” He directed her gently back to the chair.
“I wanna lie down again. Please.”
The begging tone in her voice actually hurt him. He didn’t like to hear her begging.
Well, not unless she wanted to beg him to kiss her or touch her or fuck her.
Mind off that.
She’s your friend.
But what if he wanted more than that? Otherwise, why was he still here? Why could he not stop thinking about her?
Fuck.
He had to think about this. She wasn’t the type of girl who should get mixed up with him and his family.
But Victor shielded Gracen from their world. However, Victor was built like a tank and a scary fucker. How could Maxim keep her safe?
“I know you do, Rainbow. But I need to change the sheets. They’re dirty.”
“It’s okay. I’ve slept in worse places.”
What the fuck? What worse places? What the hell had she been through in her life?
“Like where?”
She waved a hand in the air and let out a dismissive noise. “Don’t matter. I just wanna sleep. Please.”
“Soon,” he promised. “I need you to take these pills.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t do drugs.”
“That’s good to know,” he soothed. “But these are just fever reducers. They’ll help you feel better.”
“Promise?”
The vulnerability in her voice was killing him.
“I promise. I wouldn’t lie to you.” He winced at those words. “Not about that anyway. And I’ll try not to lie about anything else.”
“It’s okay. I know all about lies. Lies and secrets.”
“Do you?” Should he push her to tell him?
She’d hate you if you did. And telling yourself it’s because you’re worried won’t make her less mad.
“Everyone lies and has secrets, right? You do too. I know you do.”
She wasn’t wrong.
“Take these, Rainbow. I’m not trying to drug you.”
She swallowed them, sipping on the water as he held the glass up for her.
“Pills are yuck. Can I tell you a secret?”
“I guess,” he said as he took her temperature. 102. Crap.
Hopefully, the medicine kicked in quickly. Turning, Maxim started to strip her bed.
“I buy gummy vitamins.”
After a pause, he looked over at her. Huh? What did that have to do with anything?
Wait . . . was that her big secret? He bit his lip as he shook his head.
“Gummy vitamins, huh?”
“Yeah. I like them. It’s the only way I remember to take my vitamins. Do you take big boy vitamins?”
His mouth dropped open. Big boy vitamins? Was she for real right now?
“I don’t take vitamins,” he said in a choked voice. “But if I did, I’d definitely take big boy vitamins.” Fuck. Had he really just said that?
She flicked a finger through the air. “You should take vitamins, Maxy-Moo. Make you big and strong. Keep the bugs from getting you.”
He wasn’t going to point out the obvious. That they hadn’t helped stop her from getting ill.
He finished making her bed and then came back over to her. Lord, she looked miserable.
