Free Laying Down the Law by Laylah Roberts Page A

something wrong?” she asked cheekily.
    His lips twitched. “That’s not the way this relationship will work and you know it.
    But don’t worry; I’ll give myself a strong talking too.”

    talking too.”
    She snorted.
    He reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re so precious to me, baby. I don’t want anything happening to you.
    You’re my world. I love you.”
    “I love you, too.”
    He pulled her over, hugging her tight.
    “I don’t like to see you sick or hurting. It worries me.”
    Callie immediately felt horrible, she was being selfish, making him worry.
    She leaned back to look into his handsome face. “I don’t understand,” she whispered softly.
    “Understand what, sweetie?” he asked, pushing the hair from her face.
    “I don’t understand why you love me. I’m

    “I don’t understand why you love me. I’m a mess, I’m sick; I’m hard work, why do you even want to be with me?”
    “Well, sure, you’re sick, but that doesn’t make me love you less. No matter how sick you ever get or how much attention you need, I will always love you. Now, can we continue on without the pouting?”
    Callie nodded. “Although, just for the record, I really, really miss my coffee and I can’t be held responsible for my attitude while I’m going through withdrawals. It really sucks.”
    “Luckily, I think I have something to take your mind off that.” Leaning down he kissed her softly, gently, teasingly, a long, drawn out kiss.
    “Anytime you find yourself needing a distraction, babe, just let me know.” Winking, he started the car and turned up the long he started the car and turned up the long driveway.

    ***
Callie was still feeling sluggish as she sat eating the fish Tanner had cooked for dinner later that night. She yawned, trying to hide it by standing and carrying the empty pates to the sink. But his eagle eyes narrowed in on her face.
    “I’ll do the dishes, you need to get into bed,” he ordered as he rose and joined her at the sink.
    “I’m fine.” She should have known it was impossible to keep anything from him.
    “Callie, you can barely keep your eyes open. Get yourself into bed now.” His voice was pure steel encased in smooth silk as he ordered her quietly. Damn bossy, arrogant man.

    “You cooked, I’ll clean. Them’s the rules,” she said cheerily as she cursed her shaking hands. Still, she continued to fill the sink with water even as she could sense him frowning down at her fiercely. “Besides its way too early for bed, I’d never sleep.” Suddenly he clasped her shoulders with hands, turning her to face him as he quickly turned off the running tap.
    “You’re shaking,” he accused her, looking down at her piercingly, those sharp gray eyes seeing far too much. “You’re far too pale, Callie, and I’m not going to tell you again. Get into bed.”
    Callie shrugged his hands from her shoulders. She tip-toed her fingers up his chest.
    “Okay, if you join me.”
    He smiled and kissed her. “All right. I’ll be there in a minute.” He turned her and with a smack to her butt sent her on her way.

    smack to her butt sent her on her way.
    She looked around his bedroom in interest as she got ready. She liked his place, it wasn’t too large, but it was open plan which made it seem roomier. It was simply furnished, no pictures on the walls and it could use a rug and some splash of color, still she could really brighten the place up.
    Callie blushed a little at the thought.
    They’d only just entered a relationship and already she was decorating his house.
    “What are you smiling at?” He came up behind her, clasping his arms around her waist as he stared at her in the bathroom mirror.
    “I like your house. It has a nice feel to it.”
    “Good, I want you to like it here.” He ran his hand down her arm. “You know, if you’re too tired we can just sleep.”
    Callie turned in his arms and hugged.

    Callie turned in his arms and