Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

“You . . . you did that? To your own brother?” Thea asked, wincing as Jardin started putting burn cream on her poor hand.

“It was only once. Or, wait, maybe twice. And they both deserved it. But I’ve learned my lesson. Next time, I’ll leave food and water.” Maddox winked at Thea and she shook her head with a smile. It was obvious she thought he was joking. Jardin knew he wasn’t.

“How did this happen?” he asked quietly. He was debating taking her to the emergency room. He glanced up at her.

She was biting her lip worriedly. She was wearing bright pink lipstick. She wore it every day. A shudder nearly moved through him at the thought of those pink-colored lips wrapped around his cock.

Easy, man.

“My car had smoke pouring out of the hood. So, I opened it up and foolishly reached in to undo the cap where the smoke was coming from. It was hot.”

“Ouch,” Maddox said sympathetically. “Darlin’ as a general rule, if something is smoking, it’s usually hot.”

“Thanks for that lesson, Maddox,” he said dryly. “Maybe you could go wait in my office?”

“Sure. I’ll make sure that bitch has left without stealing any of the office supplies.”

“No, just—”

But it was too late. He was gone. And he’d do whatever the hell he wanted anyway.

After slathering some burn cream on her skin, Jardin reached for a bandage and started wrapping her hand. “You should go to the emergency room.”

“It’s just a small burn. There’s no point in waiting around for hours for a doctor who’ll tell me to put burn cream on it.”

She could have a point. But he still didn’t like it. Didn’t like that she was injured. Hurting. That she’d come to work like that and hadn’t said a word.

“I don’t think it needs to be covered,” she told him.

He simply stared at her then resumed wrapping her hand. “You can’t keep it wrapped up all day. It needs to breathe. Take it off every so often then reapply cream and put it back on. Do you have cream at home?”

“Hmm, oh, I think so.”

He sighed and handed her the tube of cream. “Take this. There are other first aid kits around here. Just remember to order some more. I’ll get a town car to take you home.”

She stiffened, alarm filling her face. “Why? I’m not still fired, am I?”

Suddenly, he felt tired. In fact, it felt like he’d been nothing but tired these past few years.

“No, you’re not still fired.” He should say yes. Get rid of her. But the truth was, he wasn’t sure he could do without her. Not just because she was the best PA he’d ever had. But because he’d fucking miss her. For the first time in years, he looked forward to coming to work because he got to see her.

So, what are you going to do about it?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Coward.

“But you’re going home. You can’t work like that.”

“I can.” She got on her feet. “I’ll be fine.”

“You’ve got burns all along the palm of your hand and your fingers. How are you even going to type?”

“I’ll use my other hand. It’ll be fine.”

He narrowed his gaze, his suspicions aroused. Why didn’t she want to go home?

“Most people would jump at the chance to go home and rest for the day.”