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“Yes.”
“Where do you work?” he asked.
“You mean you don’t know?” That surprised her.
He grunted. “I could find out, but it would be quicker for you to tell me.”
Or maybe she just wouldn’t tell him.
Except, he had a point. She’d been foolish to come here. But other than yesterday, she’d never missed a day of work and she felt terrible about it.
“I work at Dayton Leeds Construction,” she admitted.
“Okay, I know it,” he replied. “I’m going to come and pick you up. Tell your boss that you’re going home ill.”
“I’m here now, though. I should really stay.”
“How are you feeling?”
Terrible. However, she didn’t want to tell him that.
“Aston.”
Crap. She’d promised herself that she wouldn’t lie anymore. At least, not if she could help it. And hadn’t she already lied when she’d told him she was in her apartment when she wasn’t?
Her tummy already felt sick with guilt over that.
“Not so good, I guess.”
“Which I’m guessing means you feel terrible. Baby, why’d you go to work?”
“I just don’t like to let anyone down.”
“You’re not letting anyone down by taking time to look after yourself. I’m sure your boss doesn’t want you to get ill. Or spread your germs among everyone else.”
“I guess you’re right.” Although he’d seemed slightly annoyed that she hadn’t come to work yesterday. However, he had the right to be since she hadn’t called in.
“I’m going to come and get you.”
“No, you don’t have to do that. I know you have better things to do. I’ll get myself home.”
“How?” he asked.
“Uh, I don’t know. The bus?”
“Nope.”
“An Uber, then.” She didn’t really feel like going on the bus anyway. This morning, all the stopping and starting had made her feel nauseous.
“Not happening,” he growled. “Just go tell your boss that you’re leaving, gather your stuff and wait there for me.”
“Maxim,” she protested.
“Do as you’re told, Rainbow. I’m not very happy with you right now, and you don’t want to upset me more, do you?”
No. She guessed not.
And hearing that he wasn’t happy with her . . . well, it made her stomach churn even more.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“For being a nuisance.”
He sighed. “Rainbow, you’re not a nuisance. But you have to learn when to accept some help. You don’t have to do it all yourself.”
But that was the thing . . . she did.
Because no one else was going to help her.
Except Maxim is right now, isn’t he?
Shoot.
Fifteen minutes later, she was waiting outside the front of the building. Her hair was in its usual bun, but it felt so tight and her head was aching.
All she wanted was to go home and sleep.
Finally, she saw his car pull up. It was a Mustang and probably cost more than she made in a year. She stepped out toward it, waving her hand so he’d see her. He stopped in front of her.
She couldn’t believe she was letting him take her home. Dayton hadn’t been all that pleased about her leaving, but Gretchen had sided with her. Which was kind of shocking. She’d convinced her dad that it would be better for Aston to keep her germs out of the office.
So here she was, about to get into the car of the sexiest man she knew.
To her surprise, he exited the car and rounded the hood.
“You don’t have to get out,” she protested.
He just frowned at her. Then he walked straight to her. “What are you doing, waiting outside? I would have come inside and gotten you.”
“I thought this would be easier for you.”
“Damn it, Aston. You’re allowed to be selfish sometimes. You’re allowed to have other people take care of you.”
She stared up at him in surprise. “It’s not a big deal.”
“It is when you’re standing out here, swaying in place and looking half dead.”
“Thanks, that was the look I was going for.”
“Congrats, you achieved it.”
“You’re a jerk sometimes.”
“Only sometimes? Seems I’m slipping.”
She rolled her eyes at him. He opened the passenger door and held her arm as she climbed inside. As though he was worried she wouldn’t make it on her own.
She didn’t look that bad, did she?
Reaching up, she drew down the visor and checked herself in the mirror. She gulped.
Okay, maybe she really was rocking the half dead look. Putting the visor up, she glanced up at the building and spotted Gretchen staring down at her. She waved, but the other woman didn’t wave back.
Perhaps she didn’t see her.
That was likely it.
Maxim climbed into the driver’s side, looking as gorgeous as always.
He started the car. “Seatbelt.” He clicked his into place.
“Huh?”
“Put your seatbelt on, Rainbow.”
“Oh, right. Yes.”
He waited until she was belted in to take off.
“Your car is so nice. So pretty.”
“Pretty? My car isn’t pretty, Rainbow,” he grumbled.
They stopped at the lights and he put his hand on her forehead. “Fuck. You’re fucking hot.”
“Thanks. That’s better than being half dead.”
