“Thank God, I can drive again. Thank you. How much do I owe you?”
“You don’t owe me anything, Wildfire.”
I turn and frown up at him. “It doesn’t cost younothingto repair vehicles, Brooks Blackwell. I’m happy to pay you.”
“Have you checked your credit card? The idiot who shall not be named should have refunded all of your money.”
I blink up at him, then pull my phone out of my pocket and check the app.
Sure enough, more than six thousand dollars was credited last week.
“Holy shit.”
“You shouldn’t have been treated that way. You have your money back, and I don’t want a dime of it.”
“But—”
“Christ, you’d argue with a turnip.” He frames my face and bends down to slide his lips over mine, brushing gently back and forth and making my skin tingle as he effectively shuts me up.Fuck, he always was a grade A kisser.“Come on, you’re going back to bed.”
“I really should go home?—”
“Your home smells like mildew, is likely to get mold, and you’re fucking exhausted, Jules. And while you’re always fucking gorgeous, you have bruises under your eyes. You need to get some more sleep.”
We walk back inside through the back door, and I catch sight of the laundry room before he leads me through to the kitchen.
“See? You’re not even arguing with me.”
“Iamtired. But I have so much to do.” Tears fill my eyes, and I know it’s because of the exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed. “I can’t take the day off.”
“This is why you need to go back to bed.” He picks me up bridal style and walks right past the guest room and into his bedroom. “And I really love the thought of you inmybed, Wildfire.”
If we’re being honest, I love that thought too.But this feels like a slippery slope. I don’t want to get too used to it.
“I can use the guest room.”
“Are you uncomfortable in my room?”
I bite my lip as I think it over. “No.”
“Then you’ll sleep in here.” He sets me on my feet, then opens the covers for me. “Slide in there, pretty girl.”
I can’t help but smirk as I slip between the sheets, and he covers me up. My eyes are stillso heavy.
“Why am I so tired?”
“You’ve had a lot going on,” he says, brushing his fingers through my hair. That only makes me sleepier, and before I know it, I’ve drifted off again.
Chapter Twelve
BROOKS
Iamdamntempted to climb into my bed with her, strip us both naked, and fuck her until neither of us can breathe.
But she’s exhausted, and I have shit to do.
I press my lips to her forehead and walk out of the bedroom. I called my brothers this morning, and they’re going to meet me at Sage & Citrus in fifteen minutes. I don’t even feel guilty when I find the keys to the restaurant in her purse and lock up behind me before walking out to my truck.
Before leaving, I shoot Jules a text.
