I’ve ended up in the hospital more times than I can count over the years, and the doctors never find any reason behind it. I’ve tried every form of birth control, hoping it would help. None have worked except for the implant, which is what I have now.
Thankfully, I don’t get my period every cycle anymore, but every three months or so, it comes, and the pain is horrible once again. Although I’ll take that over having it every twenty-eight days. I also have prescribed medication that helps, but I ran out, and with no insurance, I can’t afford more right away, so now I’m stuck suffering.
Noah looks at me with worry again, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he pushes strands of blue hair out of my face and behind my ear with a nod. “What would you like to eat?”
I give him a tight smile. “Surprise me. I’m not picky.” My brain is too focused on the pain to think about food, but I know he won’t let me go without, so I just agree with whatever he says.
“Okay, I’ll be back soon.” He steps out of the car, and I watch him go into the restaurant.
I take a sip of my coffee, which was a sweet gesture from him, then rest my head against the seat and sigh. I need something to concentrate on, to take my mind off the anguish coursing through my body.
I gaze around the inside of his car, which is alarmingly clean, almost as if it just came from the dealer. Being my nosy self, I look around, opening the armrestcompartment and the glove box, but find nothing.Jesus, how can he be a clean freak in his car but not his house?
I rest back against the seat and turn my head toward the driver’s side. It’s then that my eye catches something white in his door. Given the black and red interior of his car, the white really stands out. I unbuckle my seatbelt and reach for it, despite the pain in my abdomen and lower back.Like I said, I’m nosy.
Finally getting it between my fingers, I pull it free and right myself in my seat. I look through the windshield, making sure Noah isn’t on his way back, and quickly unfold the sheet of paper.
At first, I don’t understand what I’m reading; it all seems like gibberish with big medical terms. It isn’t until I see the patient’s name that things start to make sense.Trinity Mary Adler.And given the date of birth, she’s only three years younger than Noah.This must be his sister. Why didn’t I know he had one?
I don’t recognize any of the terms on the paper, but it seems like a request for some form of treatment. Noah’s signature is on the bottom, and it’s dated a week ago.Why would he be the one signing off on her medical records? That must be where he goes every time he disappears.
Movement through the windshield catches my attention, and I look up to see Noah walking toward the entrance door with two bags in his hands. I quickly fold the paper and stuff it back inside his car door before he notices, then buckle myself back up as he pulls the door open and passes me the food.
“I got you a few different things, so you’ll have some choice,” he says as he backs out of the parking space.
“Thank you. Are you going out today?”
“Yeah, I have a few errands, but it shouldn’t take too long. Then I’ll be back.”
“Okay.”I wonder if he’s going to see his sister.
“I don’t want you forcing yourself too much today, just take it easy. Hell, you can even spend the day lying around, I don’t care.”
I turn and look at his profile—his square jaw covered by a well-trimmed Balbo beard, high cheekbones, long dark lashes, and insanely dark irises. His strong, thick neck, with a pronounced Adam’s apple, short, cropped hair, and thick eyebrows, but not bushy. He always seems to wear a stern expression, but when he smiles or smirks, God, do I understand why so many women drop their panties for him.
Noah is sexy, so fucking sexy it’s annoying. And that slightly tanned skin he always has that amplifies all his features? Ugh, delicious.Even his ears are sexy, God damn it.Sometimes I find myself staring at him and wondering what his neck would taste like. If I used my tongue to lick from the base, over his Adam’s apple, all theway up to his jaw. Or how his beard and mustache would feel between my legs and against the inside of my thighs.
“I’m not sure what you’re thinking about there, but it did bring some color into your cheeks. And you’re staring at me like you want to eat me. So, I’m going to guess you were having naughty thoughts for a sec. Mind sharing?” He smiles.
My eyes widen as I realize I’ve been staring at him for longer than necessary. I turn my head, look out the windshield, and fold my arms over my chest with a scoff. “I was not!”
He chuckles. “Sure, sure. If you say so. But you know, it’s okay if you were. I won’t tell anyone.” He finishes with a wink, and I roll my eyes.Yeah, I have no doubt Noah’s good at keeping secrets.
A few minutes later, he parks in front of his building and gets out of the car. He rushes around to the passenger door and opens it before the doorman can get to it, then reaches for the bags of food and offers me his hand. I take it and groan at the next wave of cramps that hits as I stand from the car.
His brows furrow as he examines me. “Remember what I said. Don’t overwork yourself. Just relax.”
Ugh, what is it with men and always wanting to take care of me?I give him a fake bright smile and flutter my eyelashes dramatically. “Okay, Daddy!” I say cheerfully and a little louder than necessary.
His head pulls back, and his eyes go wide. “Jesus, Kitten. Don’t call me that, I do not have a daddy kink.” He smiles again. “Though I will accept God, Noah, or even Casanova.”
Once more, I roll my eyes at him. “You wish I’d call you God.”
“One day.” He winks. “Now go. Get inside.” He lets go of my hand, hands me the bags of food, and steps out of the way. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
I nod and walk up the three steps to the entrance. “Good morning, Stanley,” I say to the elderly doorman as he pulls open the door.
“Good morning, Miss Masters.” He smiles warmly.
