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“Of course. Let me get you a fresh wash cloth.” He takes the one I put on the nightstand and steps into the bathroom leaving me in shockat how sweet and caring he’s being. This is definitely a one eighty from the pompous ass he was being this past week. He comes back into the room with a cool rag and places it across my forehead.
“Thank you,” I murmur as I snuggle back down into the blankets. I feel sleep coming and I won’t be able to stop it.
“Get some sleep. Your body needs rest to fight off this infection.” I hear Travis say before I fall into a deep sleep.
???
I wake to the smell of something cooking. For a moment, I think Lizzie might be home but then I remember that Travis was here last night taking care of me.Wait. Why was he even here in the first place? Did I let him in?I don’t remember much about yesterday afternoon. I was out of it.
Throwing the covers off me, I pad to the bathroom. I’m horrified at the person staring back at me in the mirror. My hair is a mess and more than that I have really dark circles under my eyes. My face is red, which I guess means I still have a fever. I splash some water on my face in hopes that it will make me look and feel more alive and less like a walking zombie.
As I walk to the kitchen, I take note of how the living room is straightened up. I know I was out here yesterday, but all the blankets are folded neatly on the end of the couch. The tree is on, and I notice out the window that the snow has started to fall. I take a moment to enjoy the view.
Travis comes up behind me with a cup of coffee. “I didn’t know how you liked it, but I figured those sweet creamers in the fridge were yours.” A chuckle bubbles up from my throat and I look over my shoulder at his holding my favorite mug.
“Yes, those are mine. I love sweet coffee. Thank you for this. Hopefully it will help me feel less like the dead,” I reply as I take the mug from him. I inhale the sweet scent and take a sip. The sugary coffee fills my mouth, and a moan escapes my lips. “This is delicious.”
“I made some oatmeal for you with a little bit of brown sugar. I didn’t think you needed anything too rich, but you do need to eat something and get back to resting.” I follow behind him as we go to the kitchen. I’m shocked to see that he has found my tray and was going to bring me breakfast in bed.
“You did all this for me? You really didn’t have to. I would have been alright.” I take a bite of the creamy oatmeal, it’s just what I needed.
“You were basically unconscious when I got here yesterday. I knocked on the door and called several times. I could hear your phone going off, but I didn’t know why you weren’t answering. I had a bad feeling, so I used your pin for the door. I’m glad I did. Your fever was high, and you needed someone to care for you.” Travis stands straighter behind the counter. He looks like he’d getting ready for afight. I should probably be mad that he came in like that, but instead I’m thankful.
“I’m not about to yell at you if that’s what you think. I’m glad you were able to get to me. I don’t remember much from yesterday afternoon. But don’t get used to breaking into my apartment.” I smile at him over my mug.
He crosses his arms over his chest and the muscles ripple out. I try and fail at checking him out. I feel like he is doing this on purpose. “I was worried about you. I’ll do it again if you don’t answer the phone or your door.” He stands there looking like he is waiting for me to fight back. He has a smile ghosting his lips.The bastard.I don’t know what I’m going to do with this man.
“Well, maybe I’ll have to change the pin number so you won’t be able to access it anymore,” I taunt. I’m not going to change the pin number. He wasn’t creepy coming in here. He was actually worried about me and took care of me. I don’t know the last person that was concerned about me, other than Lizzie.
“I wouldn’t do that, kitten. Besides, I can override it anyways.” A devilish smile spreads across his handsome face.
“What are you going to do, punish me? Isn’t that what you said I needed the other day?” I purr feeling myself come alive under his scorching gaze.
“Don’t tempt me with a good time. I don’t think you know what you’re asking for,” he says with a smirk.
“Maybe a demonstration is needed. You won’t know what’s effective until you try a few things to see what puts my inner brat to rest.” I’m intentionally goading him now and I can see it in the way his nostrils flare.
“It’s good thing you’re sick, otherwise, your ass would be on fire for talking to me like that. Finish eating. You need rest,” he scolds as he pushes my bowl of oatmeal closer to me.
I eat a little over half of the bowl before I go lay down on the couch. I wrap up in a blanket and turn on the Hallmark channel.
“Ugh, not this again. All these movies are the same.” Travis shakes his head at the TV as he takes a seat by my feet.
“They are the best at getting you into the holiday spirit. Lizzie and I used to watch them all the time, especially this time of year.” A sad pang hits my heart that that time of my life might be over. She found her man. I couldn’t be happier for her, but I wish I could find my Prince Charming. I look over at Travis and wonder what he would be like as a partner. He seems to make a pretty great friend. He stormed into my life and I am already dreading when he is finished installing the security equipment. Then there will be no reason for me to see him. The thought is unsettling and I’m not sure why. It’s not like I really know anything about him.
“I don’t think these movies will get me in the Christmas spirit,” he mentions not turning his eyes from the television.
“No? What does then?” I question.
“Not much really. I never really celebrate this time of year. When I was in the military we often didn’t celebrate for whatever reason, and I guess it followed into civilian life. My team that I work with tricked me the other day and decorated the office while I was out. I came back to aWinter Wonderland explosion. We’re always fucking with each other like that.” He’s looking at me now and I can see the love he has for those men.
“What branch were you in? My dad was in the Army,” I mention. I haven’t spoken about him in years, but talking to Travis brings up his memory. I just brought him up out of nowhere.
“I was in the Army, as well,” he responds lifting my feet into his lap and softly massaging them. I’m so thankful that I’m shaved, and that my toes are painted. I know it’s vain, but I hate my feet so I like to try to make them look pretty. “What did your father do in the Army?” he asks.
“He was in COMSEC. He was overseas for four years on his last stint, but he didn’t make it home. I was in middle school when the news came.” I look back to the TV not wanting to relive that part of my life. I miss my father every day, but I couldn’t go through that again.
Travis massages my feet more, taking my mind off of everything. “I’m sorry for your loss. I, too, lost my father at a young age,” he mentions.
