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I sigh contently and snuggle into his side with my head on his chest. The last thing I feel before falling asleep is his arms squeezing around me.
Chapter 12
Let Me Take Care of You
I wake-up in the darkness and my body is burning up. I’m twisted up with Declan and I try to extricate myself without waking him. I head to the bathroom for some water and squeal when I see my reflection. My hair is a mess and my lips are bruised. My face is flushed and not in a good way. I run a washcloth under the cold water and try to cool myself off. I find some ibuprofen and swallow two whole glasses of water. I know what’s coming. I’ve suffered from migraines for years and right before they hit, I get a spiked fever and night sweats. I slowly make my way back to bed and lean over his sleeping body to kiss him lightly on the cheek. He barely stirs, but he reaches out for me and I tuck myself back into his arms to fall asleep.
*****
I feel his lips on my cheek before I open my eyes. Then his lips move to my forehead as he lightly kisses me.
“Shit, you’re burning up. Raven, wake-up.”
I open my eyes and see his perfect body hovered directly over me.
“Good morning,” I croak. I feel like a hammer is hitting my temple. I see black spots and my stomach instantly curls.
“I wanted to wake you up for yoga, but I think you need to stay in bed. Do you feel okay?”
“Not really, I have a headache and I feel like my body is on fire. I think I need more medicine.”
“More medicine?”
“I woke up in the middle of the night and felt flushed. When I got some water I took something in case I was getting sick.”
“Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“It’s nothing. I’ll be fine.” I lie, I know what’s coming and I need to get him out of here.
“Dec, I know you love your Saturday morning football. Why don’t you go ahead and I’ll go back to sleep.”
“Not sure I like leaving you this way. I could stay and get us breakfast.”
Puke! The mention of food has my stomach rolling. “I’ll be fine. You go ahead and we can catch up later.”
“I have another gig tonight at The Steamroom. Will you come?”
Unpleasant memories flash through my mind at the mention of the bar, but I smile at him. “I think that can be arranged.”
He sees the hesitation in my face and he slowly exhales. “I know the last time we made plans like this they turned out shitty, but tonight will be different. Tonight I plan on making great memories. I have a few things planned. And for shit’s sake, we’re not coming back here. Plan on staying at my place.”
Even though I feel like there’s a dancing mariachi band playing in my head, I’m instantly turned on. Thinking about going back to his place tonight can only mean good things. “Okay, that sounds nice.”
“If I have my way, it will be better than nice.”
He slips a quick kiss on my lips before he hauls himself up off the bed. “As much as I hate leaving, you need to get back to sleep. I’ll call you when I’m on my way back over. Maybe you’ll be hungry by then.”
I try my best to smile, but slowly close my eyes. “Okay, see you later. Have fun.”
He gets his phone off the nightstand and slowly close the door behind him. I hear a few other noises in the house including the alarm going off and the back door closing. As soon as I know he’s gone, I quit fighting the urges and throw off the blankets wrapped around me. I make it to the bathroom just before I lose everything in my stomach. I get a washcloth and run it under water to help wipe the sweat that’s formed over my neck, face, and hairline. I gently put my head back against the cabinets and hope I can get up the strength to get to my phone.
A little while later, a noise wakes me up. I must have passed out on the floor because I’m lying on the cold tile and it feels luxurious.
“Oh my gosh, Rave, are you okay? What’s wrong? Are you sick?” There’s panic in Ella’s voice.
“Please bring me my phone.”
A few seconds pass before she hands me my phone and takes the washcloth to replenish it with cold water. She starts to wipe my face down and gently combs her hands through my hair.
