Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
W aking a few hours later, Sapphire heard Blade making coffee in the kitchen. Lured by the thought of a hot drink, she stirred in the bed. Her toes touched something soft and fuzzy. She immediately searched for Silver and found him napping on her pillow above her head.
She ran her toes over the object under the covers. What was that? Curious, she sat up and threw back the covers. Smiling at the cute owl that looked up at her, she pulled it toward her and heard it slosh. A water bottle. How fun!
“You must be feeling better,” Blade observed from the doorway.
“Yes. I’ll get up if you’ll fix me some coffee.”
“I’m going to check your temperature first. I think that medicine helped,” he suggested.
A fit of coughing wracked her. Blade handed her cool water in a sippy cup when she stopped. “Try this.”
The water soothed her throat. “Thanks. I guess I’m not totally recovered.”
“Temperature. If it’s high, you’re staying in bed today,” Blade decreed.
“Not possible. I have to open the shop,” she said.
“Turn over.”
When Blade picked up the thermometer case and lubricant, the memory of him caring for her last night rebounded into her brain. Sapphire squeezed her thighs together. That shouldn’t turn her on. She’d never even considered anal play. It seemed so intimate. “You can take it in my mouth.”
“You just drank cold water.”
Crap. That would give a false report. She scrambled for another option. “You can use one of those forehead things.”
“Little girls have their temperatures taken in their bottoms. Turn over.”
From his expression, Sapphire knew arguing wouldn’t help her. Slowly she rolled over onto her stomach. She pulled Silver close to hide her face.
“That’s my good girl.”
That phrase resonated inside her. She realized she wanted to please him. Sapphire also had to admit that submitting in this way aroused her. Not that she ever planned to admit that.
Blade pulled up the oversized T-shirt she wore to bed to expose her rounded buns. She shivered at the cold air wafting over her skin. Squeezing her eyes shut as he parted her buttocks, Sapphire tried not to react as he applied the slippery mixture to her tight opening.
This doesn’t feel good!
Despite her attempt to keep him out, Blade slid a probing finger through that ring of muscle she clenched. Grabbing at anything to distract her from focusing on how much her body reacted to his touch, Sapphire recited multiplication tables in her head but totally screwed them up.
I should have listened closer in math.
“Daddy should pay more attention to your bottom. When you feel better, we’ll start getting you ready to accept me here,” Blade told her as he spread the mixture thoroughly.
“No, Daddy,” she whined.
“Am I hurting you?” he asked.
She debated lying. Somehow, now didn’t seem like a wise time. “No. I’ve just never….”
“Thank you for telling me, Sapphire. Daddy will take good care of your cute bottom.”
Finally, he withdrew his finger and replaced it with the thick thermometer. It was cold inside her, making her shiver. The thought popped into her mind that she preferred his warm finger, and she moved her head, trying to shake it away.
“Shh, Little girl. Just a few more minutes,” he promised, holding the instrument deep with a hand cupped over the end.
Finally, he removed it. She peeked to see him rotate the device. Blade shook his head.
“Still above normal. That medicine is keeping it down.”
“So, I can go to work, right?”
“I’d rather you stay home, but if you think you’re well enough to open the store….”
“I’m great,” she rushed to tell him and coughed several times.
“You’ll call me if you start feeling bad?”
“Yes!” she promised.
“And you’ll drink lots of fluids and remember to take more of the fever medicine?”
“Definitely.” She crossed her fingers under the covers.
“Desiree’s there to help you today, right?”
“Yes. She’s doing such a great job. She’s there today and tomorrow,” Sapphire shared.
“Let’s get you dressed,” Blade suggested.
“Thank you, Daddy,” she said, sitting up and wrapping her arms around his neck. She had planned to head to The Blue Door whether he said yes or no, but it was easier if he cooperated with her.
Sapphire ate a few bites of yogurt for breakfast. It was cool on her throat and made Blade happy. He always insisted she had something before heading for work.
Everything seemed to sap her energy. By the time Blade walked her out to the car, she felt awful. Stiffening her spine, Sapphire forced herself to look energetic like she was doing well.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Blue Eyes? Tell me the truth,” he asked as he helped her into her car.
“I’m good, Daddy. Don’t fuss.”
“Don’t forget to dose yourself with more medicine at lunch,” Blade reminded her. “Gabriel sent soup for you today.”
“Thank him for me, please,” she said before having a coughing attack. When she recovered, she smiled to reassure him through watery eyes.
“Call me if you need me.”
She nodded and started the car. Sapphire concentrated hard as she navigated out of the parking lot and onto the road that ran along the front of the repair shop. Fits of coughing brought more tears to her eyes, and she even had to pull over once to find a tissue to wipe away the moisture clouding her vision.
Pulling herself together after parking in the rear lot, Sapphire scanned the area, making sure it was safe. Ever since that guy had caused such trouble, she’d been super vigilant. The walk to the back door seemed like a marathon. Sapphire locked it behind her and headed for her workbench.
Desiree’s arrival a few minutes later required her to move to unlock the front door. Sapphire opened it and stepped away.
“I’d stay away from me if you can. I think I’ve caught something,” Sapphire told her.
“You don’t look good. Should you be here?” Desiree asked, before adding. “I should be okay with just about everything except handling the money. Why don’t you set up the cash register and go home?”
“I don’t want to dump my store on you, Desiree. That’s not fair.” Sapphire rushed to tell her.
“Fair, shmair. You won’t feel better if you don’t get some rest. Get the cash and we’ll be ready to open. Then, let’s call that hunk of yours and have him come pick you up,” Desiree suggested.
“He’ll be all growly and make me nap,” Sapphire complained.
“I know. I’m so envious of you.”
Sapphire stared at her for ten seconds before nodding. “I’m not going to make it.”
“Do you want to phone him, or should I?” Desiree asked.
“I’ll call. If you do it, an ambulance will be here to pick me up.”
“Desiree, here’s my phone number. Let me know if you have any problems. I’ll be here before closing to take care of the register,” Blade assured her at the back door. Sapphire leaned against him and didn’t try to protest that Desiree could contact her. Stick a fork in me—I’m done.
“I’m definitely not poking you with utensils, Little girl,” Blade informed her as he opened the passenger door to her car.
What? She’d said that out loud? How had she gotten over here? Weren’t they talking to Desiree? Sapphire looked at the back of the building and found it abandoned. I’m in awful shape.
“You’re right, Little girl. You are in awful shape. Doc’s going to check on you when we get back to the clubhouse,” Blade echoed her and Sapphire knew she’d spoken out loud again.
“I’ll just go to sleep for a while. I’ll be better when I wake up. I don’t feel bad enough to see a doctor,” she assured him. As if she’d jinxed herself, a horrible coughing fit descended on her. By the time she finished, she was crying.
“Blue Eyes. You’re tearing my heart out. Let’s get you home and on the road to recovery.”
“Please,” she whispered.
“There’s water in this cup. Can you drink some?” he asked, holding out a blue sippy cup with a jeweled pattern.
If Sapphire had not been so miserable, she would have gushed over how cute it was. For now, she was more interested in the cold water inside. Taking a sip, she swallowed, letting the liquid soothe her throat. “Ah.”
“I’m glad it tastes good. Can you hold it, or should I put it in the cupholder?”
Sapphire handed it to him. That was too much responsibility. She rested her head on the seat as he drove out of the parking lot.
“How are you going to get your bike home?” she asked.
“Kade drove me over. I’ll ride my bike to your shop tonight to close up.”
“What would I do without you?”
“I don’t plan on you ever figuring that out, Little girl.”
Time seemed to pass quickly because the next thing she focused on was the Shadowridge Guardians’ complex. “Do you even know how to drive a car?” she asked.
Blade just laughed and squeezed her knee. She decided that must mean he did. Seconds later, Blade picked her up and carried her inside. “Aren’t you supposed to be driving?”
“I’m all done, sweetheart. We’re going to get you feeling better now,” Blade assured her.
“That would be nice,” she whispered, closing her eyes.
The clubhouse was fairly quiet as Blade walked through. A few people called out, asking if Sapphire was okay. Blade told them Doc was going to check on her. The positive support for that reassured Sapphire this was a smart idea. They all seemed to think a lot of Doc.
Blade carried her straight to the medical office. The door stood wide open. Blade entered and sat her on the exam table before positioning himself next to her.
Leaning against his hard chest, Sapphire glanced around the room. As sick as she was, Sapphire was amazed that it seemed like a doctor’s office. “How often does someone get hurt?” she mumbled to Doc and his Little who appeared in the doorway.
“More frequently than you’d imagine,” Doc told her before turning to Harper. “Go on, Little girl. I need to see how I can help Sapphire.”
“Feel better, Sapphire,” Harper told her cheerfully before lifting her lips for her Daddy’s kiss. In a flash, she was gone, shutting the door behind her as she left.
“Sapphire, you look like you’re suffering. What’s going on?” Doc asked her.
A fit of coughing overtook her when she opened her mouth to answer. Doc immediately turned and got her a small paper cup of water.
“That’s a terrible cough. Sip this slowly.”
He held the cup as she drank, seemingly understanding that she had no energy. “Good girl. Does your throat hurt?”
Sapphire swallowed, testing it out and nodded. She didn’t want to talk. That always made her start hacking.
“How are your ears?” Doc asked.
Sapphire shrugged. Everything hurt. She couldn’t answer that question truthfully. Her assorted symptoms had coalesced into a horrid illness.
“How about if I just check you over? Okay?”
She nodded. That was much easier than having to think. Her brain was so fuzzy.
“Blade, let’s get her undressed. From her shivers, she’ll be better wrapped in a blanket as I examine her,” Doc requested.
Before she had absorbed that statement, the two men removed her clothing. Doc took off her shoes and socks while Blade pulled her T-shirt over her head and unfastened her bra. Sapphire crossed her arms in front of her breasts to shield herself.
“No! What are you doing?”
Immediately, those words launched a coughing fit that zapped her last bit of energy. She drooped, propped up on Blade’s chest. He rubbed her arm and back as he supported her.
“Blue Eyes, Doc has to examine you so he can help you feel better. Do you get undressed when you go to the doctor’s office?” Blade asked.
Shaking her head no, Sapphire tried to convince him.
“I don’t believe that, Little girl. How long has it been since you were at the doctor’s?” Blade asked.
It was hard to think, so she carefully held up five fingers, trying to keep herself covered.
“Five months?” Doc questioned.
She shook her head again.
“Five years?” Blade guessed.
Sapphire shrugged and nodded. It was probably over seven, but she wasn’t going to tell them that.
“That means it was longer than that,” Doc predicted. “You’re due for a full physical when you’re well, Sapphire. Let’s check on that cough first. We need to get your clothes off so I can see if anything else is going on. You want to feel better, right?”
After hesitating for a second, Sapphire nodded. She felt lousy.
Immediately, the men finished the job. Blade laid her back on the exam table and turned her on her side before Doc draped the softest blanket ever over the top of her. Sapphire gathered a clump of the material in her hands and held it to her cold nose.
“Temperature first, Sapphire. Just stay still,” Doc told her.
She knew what was coming. Doc pulled on gloves before applying cold lubricant to her bottom and spreading it around. Sapphire decided she much preferred feeling the warmth of her Daddy’s touch instead. She shivered when he pressed the thermometer inside.
“I’m sorry, Sapphire. That’s just too cold, isn’t it?” Doc asked. His tone was sympathetic.
“He’d be a great Daddy,” Sapphire told herself. Not as excellent as her own Daddy, of course, but she was happy for Harper.
When that ordeal was over, Blade lifted her into a seated position. Doc checked her nose, ears, and eyes before tugging her blanket away from her grip at her throat.
When she resisted, Blade leaned into whisper in her ear, “Be a good girl and let Doc examine you. If not, I will spank your bottom and then he will check everything needed.”
Reluctantly, she let go of her death grip on the covers. He palpated her neck and looked at her throat. She could tell Doc was concerned by his expression when he listened to her lungs. That overrode her worry about him seeing her bare breasts as he pressed the stethoscope to different spots.
He pushed on her tummy and asked some questions about her stomach and periods. Sapphire was embarrassed and reassured at the same time. Doc was really good at what he did.
“If you’d waited another day to get medical treatment, you would have needed a trip to the hospital, Sapphire. You are very sick. At the brink of pneumonia. You are going to bed for at least forty-eight hours and not getting up for anything but to use the toilet. Can you do that for me, or should I have Blade take you to the emergency department?” Doc asked.
“But my store….” she croaked.
“I’ll check with Desiree to see if she can pick up some additional hours. We can have some prospects with retail experience volunteer to staff it as well. Can you imagine how many women you’ll have in the store if bikers are running it?” Blade asked.
She knew he was trying to distract her, but an image of muscular man candy stripped down to their leather vests and tight jeans burst into her head. There would be a stampede.
“Forty-eight hours. Okay?” Doc repeated.
Sapphire nodded. She felt so lousy.
Blade kissed her forehead. “Good girl. I’ll make sure you get your reward when you’re better.”
“Blade, if Sapphire has trouble napping, try giving her a few orgasms. That usually works better than medication. We want her to sleep as much as possible. Let’s move her back on her side,” Doc suggested, helping to ease her back into position. “I’ll gather some medicine for you. She needs a breathing treatment before she leaves.”
Sapphire dozed as they talked. She woke up when Doc exposed her bottom once again, and she squirmed away. Blade immediately held her in position.
“Careful, Blue Eyes. You’ll fall off the table,” he warned.
“Your Daddy has some medicine for you, and I’m going to give you a shot. Which one do you want first?” Doc asked.
“Daddy,” she croaked before coughing hoarsely.
When she’d settled back down, Blade spread her buttocks and pressed something cold into that tight ring of muscles usually hidden between them. “No, Daddy.”
“This suppository is going into your bottom, Little girl. You’re coughing too much to swallow a giant antibiotic,” he said as he inserted the large medicinal dose deep into her bottom. “Relax for Daddy.”
Sapphire forced herself to unclench her muscles and allow him to complete his task. To her horror, Blade confirmed with Doc, “Every two hours?”
“For the first forty-eight hours. Then, we’ll see how she’s doing,” Doc stated. “Push liquids and give her light meals: soup, gelatin, ice cream. Anything that would soothe her throat.”
“Just a little sting,” Doc told her before lightly pinching her hip as he poked the needle into her bottom.
Tears popped into her eyes. She’d always hated shots. That one hadn’t hurt too bad. “You’re good at that,” she croaked.
“I’ve had some practice.” Doc patted Sapphire on the shoulder. “Feel better, Sapphire. I’ll check on you.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Blade scooped her up in his arms, covered by the soft blanket. Doc opened the door and walked with them the short distance to Blade’s room to help with that one as well. Sapphire saw Doc place a large bag of supplies on the kitchen counter as Blade carried her into the bedroom. Once settled in bed, Sapphire closed her eyes and tumbled into sleep.