“Can I have Dair?” Ned requested.
Blake said nothing. Now, she was just staring at the duvet.
So Dair took the call off speaker and put the phone to his ear.
“Ye got just me.”
“Do you have her?” Ned asked, his voice ravaged.
“Of course.” Dair tried not to sound insulted due to the circumstances.
“She’s going to be conflicted.”
“Aye, I ken.”
“I’ll communicate with you both, and ask Alex to do the same, if you would as well?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’m sorry this has upset your visit. Blake was very much looking forward to it.”
“Can’t be helped, but now we got a job, Ned. Ye hear me, mate?”
“I do, Dair. Glad you’re on the team. See you soon.”
“You will, Ned. Keep your chin up.”
“No choice. Take care, Dair.”
“You as well.”
They hung up, and he instantly put his phone on the charge pad before he turned back to his woman.
“Up, baby, to the bathroom,” he ordered. “Teeth brushed. Your makeup isn’t off yet. Let’s go.”
She nodded, and he pulled her out of bed with him.
They stood at each of their basins, and he watched carefully in the mirror as she brushed her teeth. Then she washed her face.
But while she was putting some gunk on it, she swathed a load of the cream on her cheek, stilled, and suddenly wandered out without rubbing it in.
He followed her.
She sat on her side of the bed.
Sorcha pushed at her hand.
Blake stared at the floor.
Dair made his approach, gently moved his dog out of the way, and crouched in front of her.
“Look at me, love,” he urged.
She raised her gaze to his.
He reached to meticulously rub the cream all over her face.
“Thank you,” she whispered when he was wiping his fingers on his lounge pants.
