Read Online Wicked Valentine (Sizzling Encounters) by April Angel - Free Book Online

stared at him with sleepy eyes. “It’s fine, but I really need some sleep.”
    “Wait,” he said, right when she grabbed hold of the door handle. “We’re still on for tomorrow night, right?” He wanted to make sure she hadn’t changed her mind.
    A soft smile tugged at her lips. “Yes, Max. I won’t change my mind.”
    He kissed her. Just a quick taste. Pleasure filled him when he moved away from her, because her eyes had an unfocused aroused look he loved seeing in them.
    “You promise you’ll call me if anything happens to change things?”
    “Yes, but I don’t foresee any issues.” She bit her lip, her eyes taking a faraway look while she thought. “Alex and Andrew are in her cabin this weekend, so I’m not seeing her. And I’m too tired to hit the gym by myself. So, unless you change our plans, we should be fine. Relax.”
    “All right.” He squeezed her hand and let go. “I’ll speak to you later then.”
    She nodded, smiling. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hopped out of the car. When she reached the entrance, she turned, smiled, and waved.
    He grinned and waved back. Glass doors slid open and allowed her entrance. He sat there, watching her greet the doorman. Once she disappeared into the elevator, he smiled and left.
     
    * * *
     
     
    Something was wrong. Max had called Nina earlier in the day, but she’d sounded really sleepy before agreeing to meet him later on. When he dialed her again, it went straight to her voicemail. He tapped his foot on the carpet impatiently while waiting for the elevator to take him to her floor.
    He pounded on her door repeatedly until he heard movement inside. It felt like forever before the door opened and Nina, wearing a pair of pajama shorts and a tank, blinked at him from under drooping lashes.
    “Hi, Max. Is it time to go already?” She yawned, heading back into the apartment.
    “What’s wrong with you?” Fear clutched his gut. She looked ready to pass out. He shut the door behind him and followed her into her living area. Worry grew with every moment he watched her. She dropped on the black sectional, her eyes immediately closing.
    “I’m just a little tired. My CFS got to me.” She yawned again and spoke with her eyes closed. Her pitch lowered as she snuggled into the zebra-striped throw blanket. “I had a lot of work, so I stayed up late last night catching up.”
    CFS? “You mean you didn’t go to sleep when I dropped you off?” He became alarmed.
    She shook her head. “I just need a little nap.” Seconds later her breathing evened in sleep.
    He walked to her kitchen and opened drawers, closing them slowly so he wouldn’t wake her. Finally he found what he needed-a bunch of menus. She’d even circled her favorites out of each. He called one and ordered their dinner.
    Then he looked up CFS on a search engine. “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” he said softly.
    Scanning the information on the screen, he realized their long night of lovemaking, coupled with little to no sleep, had taken a severe toll on her.
    He marched to her bedroom. He noticed she kept everything neat, without the large abundance of knickknacks women usually kept on their dressers. She had a single standing jewelry box and a few bottles of lotions and perfumes, but otherwise the surface of the dresser was uncluttered.
    The bedroom was decorated in soft green tones, to match the bedding and curtains. Back in the living room, he picked her up in his arms. Her head pillowed on his shoulder, and her soft breath caressed the curve of his neck. Carefully, he laid her on the bed and covered her with the blankets.
    It was easy to let her sleep and rest instead of bothering her with a date. They could go out any other time. Her health was more important than tickets to the theater.
    On his way to the kitchen, he bumped a small table by the entrance. When he tried to keep it from falling, he pressed on the answering machine by mistake.
    There was an unheard message, the blinking