AllFreeNovel
Share Us
RUSH
Lux had been curled up fast asleepwhen I got back. Warm to touch, I’d opened the windows to let some of the sea-tanged air into the bedroom, swiftly falling into a deep sleep at her side. When I woke, my first thought was of the strange house we were in and what it meant.
Clint was a lying, conniving fucker. The man had pretended to be my friend while using me and my business. That wasn’t going to stand. He would pay for what he’d done. At those thoughts, I rubbed my eyes, suddenly awake.
Gulls sounded in the distance, as did the ebb and flow of the waves on the shoreline.
Whatever happened, at least Lux and I were together. Something good would come out of this. I promised to push the thoughts of Clint and the conversations we would need to have to the back of my mind while I enjoyed the rest of our time in this house together.
Lux stirred, groaning slightly, shielding her eyes with her hand.
“Morning, Luxy.” I rolled over to hug her. “I can’t believe you slept through the evening and all night.” I stilled as I ran my hand across her warm body. When I returned, I’d removed her clothes, leaving her underwear on, hoping she would be more comfortable without them. She’d barely stirred. Now she was burning up. “Lux?”
I struggled to sit so I could look at her properly.
She groaned, still shielding her eyes from the light. If I didn't know better, I'd think she had a bad hangover, but we hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol in two days.
“My head hurts,” she moaned.
Gently I tugged down on her hand. “Are you sick?” I swept her sweaty hair back. Her skin was both scorching to touch and clammy.
She shivered and not in the sexy kind of way like the other night.
“You must have a bug.”
She rolled over, squishing her face into the pillow, and stayed still.
I planted a kiss on her shoulder. “I’m going to run to the store and get some pain meds. I’ll be right back.”
I jumped up, the view of the sea surprising me. I’d forgotten how close it was and how beautiful. All thoughts of the house disappeared, though, my focus on Lux. I didn’t want her to be sick or to be in pain. It brought out something territorial in me.
Dressed, I got on my bike. Forgoing the leathers in the heat, I looked for an open pharmacy. Thankfully, one was only a few blocks away and open early to look after tourists with margarita headaches. I stocked up on painkillers and an ice pack for her forehead. At the last minute, I also grabbed a thermometer.
With the supplies in my backpack, I went to the grocery for some fresh orange juice and pastries. If I could get medicine in her, she might perk up.
As I rode back, taking in the scenic view, I realized that this was the first time I’d actively cared for anyone other than myself. My relationships always ended before snot rags, or puke bowls came into the picture. But with Lux, I wanted to look after her no matter what.
We’d used the L word quickly, Lux and me. And as crazy as it seemed, and as little time as we’d known one another, I knew it was true. I did love her without any doubt.
She was still sleeping when I got back, her skin glistening with a sheen of sweat. Where the hell had she gotten so sick from? Somehow, I managed to get ibuprofen into her with a sip of orange juice. Then she laid straight back down and fell asleep. Gently I rolled her onto her back, so I could put the cold compress on.
Unsure what else to do, I kicked off my shoes and settled by her side, more than happy to wait it out. I wanted her to enjoy our time away, and this sickness would fuck up those plans. I considered calling to make a dinner reservation but felt there was little point.
An hour later,she became nauseated. I helped her to the bathroom. After she was sick, she lay on the cool tile, and I sat on the floor beside her, her head on my lap as I brushed the hair back from her sticky skin.
“I’m so sorry,” she kept saying repeatedly.
“It’s okay, Lux. It isn’t your fault.”
“You’re going to hate me. I’m so sorry.”
In between her getting sick, I did my best to soothe away her fears, promising that it was okay and that I wouldn’t leave.
Around lunchtime, I woke, realizing I’d fallen asleep. She didn’t look any better.
“Lux?’ I called her name, shaking her softly.
She moaned but didn’t respond.
