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She snorted. “You’re tellin’ me. It could also be just because I’m just sore from… ya know.”
I maneuvered to see her face better. “Hooking up?” I asked her.
She nodded shyly.
“Shit babe, you need anything?”
She reached up to pat my cheek. “That’s sweet, but no. Besides, you can’t really drive anywhere anyways.”
I rolled my eyes. “I have people for that, Kessel.”
“Oh really, Mr. hockey hot shot.” Her eyebrows shot up, amused.
“Griff, Sav, Max, Grey, Reggie…” I continued to list off all the Ice League people who I could make do my bidding.
“Okay, okay. I’m fine though, promise,” she said confidently, before turning her attention back to the documentary. “This show is kinda freaking me out a little though.” Her shoulders scrunched up a bit. “Love true crime, but I never would’ve put this on if I was here alone. I’m going to hear every single sound tonight.”
“I got you babe,” I said, pulling her closer into me. “I’ll protect you.” Just being able to say that made me feel about ten feet tall.
“I don’t know,” she said, eyeing me warily.
My mouth dropped open. That was definitely a hit to my ego.
“What?!” she said defensively. “We’d be screwed,” her voice went high-pitched, trying to convey her innocence. “You’re sidelined right now.”
I shook my head. “Nope, I’d protect you.” I practically puffed out my chest to make a point.
She rolled her eyes.
“I would!” I argued. “You think you could protect the both of us? I’m practically a full foot taller than you, babe,” I pointed out. “And you’ve got impressive guns,” I said, squeezing her arm, “but no offense, I think mine are bigger now.”
She gave me another wary glance. “Maybe we should turn it off,” she said, then proceeded to laugh her ass off at how offended I looked.
I shook my head and swiped the clicker from her to turn the volume up. “Nah, don’t worry. I will protect you,” I said firmly. I pushed a kiss into her hair as she laid back against my chest, and I thanked God I finally got to hold her.
29.Duke
A noise woke me up… a pained noise…
I patted the comforter next to me, looking for Claire, and immediately panicked when my hand felt only empty bedding. I looked around her dark room. As my eyes adjusted, I found her further down the bed by my legs, doing a… yoga pose?
“Claire?” I cleared my dry throat and searched for my phone and water bottle on her nightstand.
She let out a little whimper.
That woke me right up. I quickly reached to stroke her back. “You okay, babe?”
She just grunted in response. I fumbled with my phone to turn on the flashlight.
It looked like she was in child’s pose and holding her lower stomach again.
“What’s wrong? I can’t help unless I know what’s wrong, baby,” I said in a gentle voice.
“It’s just hurting… really bad.” Her voice sounded much weaker and smaller than usual, and it immediately alerted me that something was seriously wrong.
I swallowed hard, trying to push down my own panic. “What hurts?”
She looked at me with worried eyes. “I think it’s my stomach?”
