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CHAPTER 408

Author: Shile
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-06 15:37:05

When Ginger Paulson’s horoscope hinted she’d take an unexpected trip, she hadn’t anticipated tripping down a flight of stairs.

The wool scarf muffled her shriek as she became airborne. Everything happened in slow motion, yet lightning fast. She twisted her body, colliding with the ground in a bone-jarring thump. Her left shin smacked into the cement step. Heat bloomed as that section of her skin ruptured. Her right leg collapsed; her knee went one direction, her ankle the other. Burning pain shot through her as the cartilage in her right shoulder popped. Screaming in agony wasn’t an option—the impact had knocked every bit of air from her lungs.

Can’t breathe, can’t breathe, oh God, I’m dying.

Dots swam in front of her eyes. First black, then white, then gray, then nothing.

No sight. No sound. No feeling.

Was she dead?

Immediately her pain receptors came back online, kicked into overdrive and she gasped in lungfuls of air.

Oh shit. Oh holy mother of God every inch of her body hurt.

Tim
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    She blushed and looked away.Interesting.“I’ll cook something when I get there. No pizza. ’Cause I know you’ve got a milk allergy, that’s why.See you soon.” Kane snapped the phone shut and wandered to Ginger’s bedside.“Thank you. I’m sorry if I seemed ungrateful, I’m very grateful, it’s just…I’m not used to needing help, let alone asking anyone for it.”“I know.”“And you’re being so sweet and thoughtful, volunteering to take care of my son, my dad and me.”Really interesting that she put herself last.“I can’t help but worry that you’re getting roped into something you didn’t want and you’re too much of a gentleman to say no.” Tears seeped from the corners of her eyes.Dammit. What was he supposed to do when she cried? Kane had little experience with women’s tears, except the manipulative variety. And these were borne of pain and frustration.He grabbed a Kleenex. “Come on, sugar, you’re breakin’ my heart here.” He gently blotted her tear-dampened face. “You in a lot of pain?”“Ye

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    He smiled. His damn smile was as sexy as his teasing eyes. “Once we get there, don’t bail outta the truck on your own. I’m here to help you, and that includes carryin’ you into the house if I have to, understand?”“And if I don’t?”“Red, you might learn firsthand exactly how good I am with ropes.”Gulp.Kane grinned and spoke to Hayden. “All buckled in?”“Yes sir.”“Good. Let’s get your mama on home, hmm?”Hayden filled the air with chatter, which Ginger mostly tuned out due to the reappearance of a vicious headache.Once they’d reached her house, she couldn’t wait to crash in her own bed and sleep. She depressed the seatbelt locking mechanism and turned toward the door.“Ah ah ah. My threats ain’t idle, sugar, so stay put.”Dammit.The man lifted her out and wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her tightly to his side.“I can manage.”“No, you can’t,” he argued with entirely too much cheer.Glaring at him didn’t cause his sexy smile to slip.“You’re gonna have to learn to lean o

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    “You’ve no interest in Ginger at all?”Lie. Lie through your damn teeth, fool.But Kane couldn’t snow his brother. “There’s interest. And sparks. But I don’t wanna do anything to jeopardize my relationship with Hayden.” He swigged his beer. “Ginger is a temptation that I’ve resisted.”So far.“And yet, you willingly put yourself in close quarters with her?”“Yeah, I ain’t exactly the brightest crayon in the box, am I?”Mouth tight, jaw set, Kade stared at him.“Jesus. What?”“Is that part of it? You think she’s smarter than you?”“Think?” Kane repeated. “I know it. I barely graduated from high school, remember?”“So? I don’t think she gives a shit what grade you got in world history.”Kane raised his beer bottle. “That would’ve been a D-plus.”Kade laughed.“Hey, I was extremely proud of the plus. Anyway, in addition to her kid, her daddy lives with her, so ain’t nothin’ happening. Like I said. I’m just helpin’ out.”“How is Dash? You don’t have to like…help him to the bathroom and st

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    If Ginger was surprised by how quickly she acquiesced, she was even more surprised by Kane’s thoroughness. His gentleness.He rinsed her hair. Her face. Her eyes.“I can take it from here,” she said curtly.“Like hell. I’m gonna help you to your feet whether you like it or not.” He wrapped his arms around her midsection.She sucked in a breath when the muscular backs of his forearms brushed the underswell of her breasts. Her nipples constricted. Her whole body quivered.“Steady. I know you’re cold. Let’s get you upright first. Then we’ll see about getting you dried off and warmed up.” He lifted her with almost no effort. Instead of letting her go, he held her tightly against his body.She whimpered.“Am I hurtin’ you?”“No. I’m just…mortally embarrassed.”“Listen to me. I am here to help you. With everything. Including this kinda stuff. So all you need to do, Ginger, is let me help you. Can you do that?”“No.”He laughed. “Tough shit.”She nearly smiled through her chattering teeth.“

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