Page 45 of House of Scarlett
“So you could what?” I grip the back of the chair for support as I arch my back to work out a kink between my shoulders.
“Nothing,” he says, staring above my head, like there’s something fascinating high on the wall behind me. “Forget I said anything.”
“Okay ... but she’s right. Macs are usually easier to keep running and working right, at least from my experience.” Then a thought hits me, and my lips and tongue keep moving, even though I shouldn’t be talking. “Oh my God, she bought it for you to watch porn so you wouldn’t get viruses!”
Gabriel looks at the floor and his hair hangs forward, obscuring much of his features, but I still see the ruddy hue on his cheeks.
I keep going. Why ... I’ll never know. “It’s okay. Nothing to be embarrassed about. I watch porn too. And my Mac has never gotten a virus. She was right. It’s a good choice. I’ve never had any issues.”
By the time I finally manage to get my babbling under control, heat stains my cheeks, and Gabriel stares at me with bemusement stamped on his face.
“You are something else, ladybug.”
This time, I’m the one dropping my gaze. “I’ll just get some tea and go back to bed. It’s the painkillers. Yes, let’s blame the painkillers.”
He closes the remaining distance between us and cups my hip with one of his hands. “Go back to bed. I’ll bring you the tea and your breakfast menu. You’re overdue for a pain pill, but I didn’t want to wake you. We’ll get you back on schedule, though.”
“You don’t have to stay,” I tell him, glancing at the computer. “You have work to do. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.”
He leans forward until he’s in that position that makes me melt—with his lips a breath away from my temple. “I’m not going anywhere, Scarlett. Come on, back to bed you go.”
He leads me back into the bedroom and once again helps me under the covers.
“You’re a pretty good tucker-inner,” I say as he arranges the throw blanket over my legs and feet. “You get a lot of practice at this?”
I want to know more about his past, to know more about him in general, but that’s as much as I’m willing to pry.
“Not really. But it’s easy with you. At least, if you’d stay still.”
One corner of his mouth tugs up in that lazy almost-grin, and it’s a good thing I’m lying down because ...goddamn, he is a beautiful man.Ridiculously blue eyes. Shaggy dark blond hair mixed with brown, a few months past due for a haircut, but it looks so good against his tanned skin. Gabriel Legend practically vibrates health and vitality in comparison to my invalid status.
“Before you drift off again, I’ll bring in your tea and the menu for breakfast. Pick something, and I’ll wake you up when it’s ready. Then you can take your pills.”
“You’re pretty amazing, you know?”
He brushes off my compliment. “No sleeping until I have your order.”
“Okay, but only if you bring your computer too, so I can try to help you set it up.”
His whole face turns into a thundercloud. “No work for you.”
“But I can help.”
“Later.”
“Fine.” I roll my eyes, and his almost-grin comes back. That makes conceding the point a hundred times better, in my book.
It doesn’t, however, prepare me for the massive mug and plate he returns with on a tray. Normally, I brew a pot of tea and pour it into one of my teacups. But not Gabriel. No, that must have been too feminine for him to contemplate.
Next to the mug is a handwritten note that obliterates my heart.
Legend’s Diner
It isn’t fancy, but it’s honest food.
Wednesday specials:
Scrambled eggs with turkey bacon
