Ruthless King (New Orleans Malones #4)

Chapter 34

34

T he man was impossible!

It was Tuesday evening, and she hadn’t been allowed out of bed since she’d arrived yesterday morning other than to go to the bathroom. And even then, he’d hovered over her.

He walked into the bedroom carrying yet another hot lemon drink.

Sheesh. They were tasty, but she’d be peeing all night. Again.

“Here, drink this all up.” Regent put it on her nightstand.

“You don’t have to run around after me. Even though I appreciate it, I’m feeling much better.”

He picked up the tray of food he’d brought her up for dinner earlier. “You didn’t eat much dinner.”

“I ate half of it.”

He frowned. “You can’t get better if you’re not eating.”

Dear Lord.

Jilly sighed. “I haven’t done anything all day, I don’t have much of an appetite. I’m fine.”

His phone beeped, and setting the tray down, he pulled it out. Then he frowned.

“Is everything all right?”

“Ahh, just some business stuff.”

“Oh.” Shoot. That came out sounding sad when she hadn’t meant it to. Of course he had work he needed to attend to. She didn’t expect him to sit around all day and keep her company.

Although she’d been hoping she would be awake tonight when he got into bed. She’d fallen asleep early last night before he’d made it back, and when she’d woken this morning, he was already up.

Her first night sleeping with Regent Malone . . . and she’d slept through it!

“You should go.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Regent, I’m fine. You should go.”

He glanced away. Did he look guilty?

“Will you be all right?” he asked.

“Yes! I’ll be fine. I’m just lying here, doing nothing.”

He eyed her suspiciously. “You’re to stay in bed. Promise me.”

She sighed which sparked a coughing fit. Sheesh.

“I’ll stay in bed,” she grumbled.

“Promise.”

“I promise I’ll stay in bed.”

“I’ll put Gerald’s number into your phone.” He picked it up so she could unlock it for him. “If you want anything else, message him.”

Yeah, she wasn’t going to do that, but she didn’t tell him that.

“You will message him if you need something,” he said firmly, as though he could read her mind.

“All right.”

He wasn’t abandoning her. She was fine. Just because she was in a new place where she didn’t know where anything was . . .

She was fine.

Everything was good.

Nothing was wrong.

“Hey, look at me.”

He sat facing her, cupping her cheeks with his hands.

And just like that, her doubts melted. Because he was here.

Regent Malone.

The man of her dreams.

“Are you really all right?” he asked. “What if you have another nightmare?”

“That was only because I had a fever, which I don’t anymore. Really. I feel good. My throat is fine now.” She did have a slight headache, but she thought she’d just keep that to herself.

“You’re still pale, though. Perhaps I should stay.”

Oh no.

Now look what she’d done.

Idiot.

He had been taking care of her the past few days, and now that he had a chance to work, she was holding him back.

“No. I’ll be all good. I might watch a movie or something.”

“It’s nearly your bedtime.”

“Um, I’m pretty sure I don’t have a bedtime.”

He shot her another look. Sheesh.

“But I’ll probably go to sleep soon anyway.”

“Good girl.” Leaning in, he kissed her. “I’ll check in with you later. Be good.”

“When aren’t I good?”

“Hmm, let’s see. Perhaps when your ex racks up thousands of dollars of debt in your name and instead of telling me and letting me take care of it, you get a job stripping?”

“I can’t go to you with all of my problems.”

“That’s exactly what I expect you to do, baby.”

The man was nuts.

But she damn well loved him. So she guessed she was a bit nuts too.

Darn it!

She’d woken up in bed alone again!

How early did Regent get up? Sure, she’d been sleeping in lately. Partly because she was catching up on sleep and partly because she had nowhere to be.

But she was determined today to get out of bed and do something. Yesterday, she’d spent most of the day reading and watching bad TV. She’d even plotted out a book.

She’d always wanted to try writing a book, but life had kept getting in the way. When she’d told Lowell her dream of becoming a writer he’d scoffed and told her that she’d be hopeless at it. That she’d never make it as an author.

He was likely right.

So she hadn’t bothered again. Until today when a storyline had just come to her.

It had felt good to work on her writing. However, she was feeling a bit out of sorts. Uncertain of her place. Of what she was meant to do with her time.

She’d barely seen Regent yesterday.

And part of her was still wondering if he regretted bringing her here.

Well, today was a new day. Actually, what day was it?

Oh, Thursday.

Thankfully, she’d called work to tell them she needed this week off. There was a weird email in her inbox from HR asking to see her at her earliest convenience, but she’d decided to worry about it next week.

Hopping out of bed, she grabbed her robe from the closet, then after washing her face and making sure it was drool-free, she headed downstairs.

Hopefully, she could still catch Regent eating breakfast. She entered the kitchen, but she only saw Gerald there, pouring coffee into a mug.

The older man’s eyes widened. “Ms. Crane? Is everything okay?”

She slumped against the wall, hand on her heart as it raced. “I missed him, huh?”

“Mr. Malone?”

“Yeah? And please call me Jilly. Every time you say my last name, it reminds me of my father. And he wasn’t a nice man.”

“Very well, Miss Jilly.”

She guessed that was slightly better.

“Did I miss Regent? Has he gone already? I wanted to eat breakfast with him.” She was starting to feel like a lazy lump now that she was feeling better.

“He’s in the dining room. You haven’t missed him.”

“In the dining room? For breakfast?” Did no one use the kitchen table in here?

Oh, well.

“I’ll go find him then.”

Gerald gave her a strange look. Almost as though he was amused. “You do that.”

Rushing out of the room, she ran down to the dining room. Sheesh, why was the dining room so far from the kitchen?

It made no sense.

Running in, she unfortunately started to cough.

“Jilly! What’s wrong? Why are you running around?” Regent rushed over and rubbed her back until she caught her breath.

“Sorry,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “I, um, might not be up to running yet.”

“You are definitely not up to running yet,” he told her sternly. “Do not do that again.”

She saluted him. Then she heard a soft huff of laughter and froze. Glancing over, she saw a very large, well-built man sitting there. He had short dark hair and a beard.

Victor Malone.

She’d only seen him once, but he was hard to forget.

Great. She was going to meet his brother for the first time after having a coughing fit while dressed in a ratty old robe.

Just perfect.

“Sorry,” she said hoarsely, glancing back at Regent. “I didn’t realize anyone else was here. I would have gotten dressed.”

Regent was already dressed in a button-up shirt and black pants. Victor was less formally dressed in a dark T-shirt that clung to his muscles and jeans.

But she was still way under-dressed.

Sooo. Apparently, people got dressed for breakfast around here. Good to know.

“I’ll just go now . . .” She attempted to move toward the door, but Regent wrapped an arm around her and walked her over to the table.

Once there, he drew out a chair and stared from her to it.

His message was clear.

She sat without looking at either of them. A glass of water appeared in front of her.

“Sip. Slowly,” Regent told her.

Oh no. Was he upset? Embarrassed?

Trying to calm her racing heart, she sipped at her water. Regent continued to rub her back.

She put the glass down. “Um, morning.”

Lame. Really lame.

“Morning,” Victor said.

She snuck another look at him. He appeared stern and serious, but she thought she could see some warmth in his gaze. Maybe.

“I’m Jilly.”

“I know,” he replied. “I remember you. I’m Victor. Regent’s brother.”

“Nice to meet you. Sorry, if I realized someone else was here, I would have gotten dressed. And probably not have run in here like a lunatic.”

“You shouldn’t be running anywhere,” Regent said from where he stood beside her. “Clearly, you’re still not well enough to be out of bed. After breakfast, I’ll take you back up so you can lie down.”

“No!” she cried.

Both men stared at her and she felt herself growing red. “I’m fine. I’m sick of being in bed. I just moved too quickly, that’s all.”

“You shouldn’t be running inside.”

Right. She really needed some decorum. She couldn’t imagine Regent ever running around this pristine house in his pajamas.

Idiot.

You’re not at home now. You need to follow the rules of this house.

She just needed to learn them first.

“Sorry,” she said. “I won’t run around inside anymore.”

“Good.” Regent gave her a nod. “What would you like for breakfast?”

“Oh, just whatever you’re having. I can grab something.” She attempted to stand, but Regent placed his hand on her shoulder. “Stay.”

“I can get it for you, Miss Jilly,” Gerald offered, appearing out of nowhere.

She let out a cry, practically levitating off her chair. “Gerald! You came out of nowhere. I need to get you a bell.”

“Sorry, Miss Jilly.”

“Don’t worry, Gerald.” Regent waved the other man off. “I’ll get Jilly her breakfast. We’re fine serving ourselves.”

Gerald nodded and left.

Regent took the plate before her and moved to the side table, which she hadn’t really paid attention to.

But it had several bain-maries lined up along the top.

Yikes.

Definitely not a cornflakes or rice krispies situation.

“How are you feeling, Jilly?” Victor asked.

She wondered what he thought about her being here.

“I’m as good as new.”

“You aren’t as good as new,” Regent countered. “You just had a coughing fit.”

“Because I was running. I really am all healthy now.”

Both men eyed her skeptically as Regent placed an overflowing plate of food in front of her.

“Really,” she added. “Um, this is a lot of food.”

“You need to get your strength back up.”

“I’m plenty strong.” She held up her right arm and squeezed her bicep with her left hand. “Size of a bowling ball.”

“More like a Ping-Pong ball,” Victor said.

She gasped dramatically. “How rude.”

“Jilly, eat your breakfast,” Regent said firmly.

Oh.

She couldn’t help but feel like she’d just been scolded. Picking up her knife and fork, she sliced into a pancake. There were two on her plate. As well as scrambled eggs, breakfast sausages, and fried potatoes.

Yum. The pancakes were delicious.

Regent poured her a glass of orange juice from the carafe on the table. Then another glass of water.

So. This silence was super awkward.

Gerald walked in carrying a coffee pot and she hastily swallowed her mouthful. “Gerald, these pancakes are to die for.”

He gave her a millimeter smile. She considered that a win.

“Thank you, Miss Jilly. Coffee?”

“God, yes.”

“Make sure you drink your juice and water as well,” Regent told her. “You need Vitamin C and you don’t want to become dehydrated.”

“Sure thing, General!” She saluted him.

Regent shot her a look. Right. Act with decorum.

She was doing so well. Not.

“Actually, I’m more the General,” Victor told her. “He’s the King.”

Regent turned that look on him.

Hmm. She thought Regent would be more . . . relaxed around his brother. Instead, he seemed more uptight.

It was at odds with the man who’d fussed over her health for days. And who’d revealed a huge secret because she was freaking out over her father being alive.

Regent was a puzzle that she hadn’t quite solved.

She took a sip of coffee, then of water just to keep his Majesty happy. Hmm. Yes, Victor was right. That did suit him.

She ate some scrambled eggs.

Damn. Gerald was good.

She sent the man in question a big smile. He gave her a slight bow back.

Total class.

“I can’t remember the last time I had a cooked breakfast. What’s the special occasion?”

“No occasion,” Regent told her.

“You can’t eat like this every day.”

“He does,” Victor told her.

“Wow, this is okay once in a while, but you have to start watching your cholesterol. I mean, obviously, you’re in good shape, but you’re getting older. Have you had it checked lately?”

Both men stared at her again. Regent looked shocked while Victor seemed . . . amused?

Oh dear.

“Maybe I should just concentrate on eating,” she mumbled.

Seemed like she couldn’t say anything right.

“I’m going to work,” Victor said. “Meet you in the study.”

Regent just nodded while Gerald also disappeared.

“Sorry,” she whispered when they were alone.

He studied her for a long moment, then crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”

Great. Did he want her within reach while he scolded her? He pushed his chair back. Maybe he was going to give her one of those spankings he’d been talking about.

However, to her surprise, he lifted her onto his lap, not over it.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Um, yes. I told you I was.”

“I don’t want you pushing things too soon, understand? You could relapse.”

Jilly flushed with pleasure at his caring. “I’m feeling really good. I promise.”

“Good.” He clasped hold of her chin and tilted her face back. Then his lips brushed hers. She parted her lips to let him deepen the kiss. His tongue tangled with hers and she let out a small whimper of desire.

God. She needed more. Wanted him to touch her. To kiss her all over. She really thought she’d been patient enough.

After all, she’d been waiting for this moment for nearly half her life. Her hand came up to cup his face just as he drew back.

“Nooo,” she murmured. “More. Please.”

“I’m sorry, sweet girl,” he replied. “I have to go to work.”

Closing her eyes, she took several deep breaths. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be demanding.”

“You can make those sorts of demands all you like. One day soon, I’m going to take you to bed and keep you there all day.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Really. I might tie you naked to my bed and feast on your body until you are begging me over and over to let you come.”

A shiver of pleasure raced through her.

“Do you like that idea?” he asked.

“You could say that,” she said, trying to sound casual. “You know, maybe just a bit.”

“A bit?”

She held up her thumb and forefinger.

“Oh, really?” he murmured. “So if I was to check your pussy, it wouldn’t be soaking wet? Wanting my touch? My tongue?”

Dear Lord.

What was he doing to her?

Was he trying to kill her?