Chapter 26
A n IUD reduced the frequency of Fiona’s periods and diminished most of her PMS, but sometimes, an aching back, tension headache, and cramping brought her to tears.
When that happened, a dark room and a hot water bottle were her best friends.
Eddie hadn’t been sympathetic. So she’d learned to down ibuprofen, paint on a smile, and suffer silently.
Around noon, she felt the familiar heaviness in her lower abdomen.
Unfortunately, she was out of Advil with no time to buy more before going into a meeting.
By the time she got home it was all she could do to drag herself up the stairs to her apartment.
She popped some pills and collapsed on the couch, pulling the afghan over her.
An hour later, she awoke to see Tomas perched on the ottoman, stroking her shoulder, his heavy eyebrows stitched together with concern.
Remembering it was her turn to make dinner, she popped up like a jack-in-the-box. “Oh crap! Sorry, sorry, sorry. I’ll have dinner ready soon.” She pushed back the afghan and swung her legs to the floor, stifling a groan.
“Take it easy. You look like hell. Did you hurt yourself?”
She shook her head but stopped when it aggravated the pounding in her head. “It’s nothing. Just a little headache.”
“Doesn’t look little to me. Are you expecting your period? Is it PMS?”
Heat rose into her face as she nodded. This man had been intimate with every part of her body, so why was it so hard to talk about a natural part of her life?
Tomas gusted out a sigh, wincing at the evidence of her pain. “Babe, I have two sisters and a mother who talk about their cycles all the damn time. So, how can I help? Make you something to eat? Help you to bed?”
Her eyes welled up at his thoughtfulness. “There’s an orange box of tea in the cupboard. A cup of that would be great.”
He was on his feet before she finished her sentence. Filling the kettle in the kitchen, he called out, “You haven’t been like this before. When you have bad PMS, how long does it normally last?”
“A day or so.” Her answer was almost a question. In truth, she didn’t know. When life was really stressful, it could last up to four days. And then the bleeding would start, which meant no sex for up to ten days. She hoped he wouldn’t mind.
“The kettle’s on the stove. Don’t move. I’ll be back before it boils.”
Before she could respond, he was out the door. So she sank back into the cushions, allowing the misery to wash over her.
Minutes later, he was back with Iris in tow. Tomas veered off to take care of the tea while Iris approached, her mouth turned down in sympathy. “Hey, honey,” she said softly. “Don’t get up. I’ve got your calendar with me. Let’s see if we can reschedule things for you.”
Tomas was beside her with a steaming mug of tea before she could protest. “If I was flat on my back with pain, you’d want me to take a day off, right?” Receiving a nod and a narrow-eyed look, he continued, “Let your assistant help you. Please?”
No one had ever treated her with such care. Tears leaked out of the corner of her eyes. Tomas leaned in to brush them away and stroked her cheek. “I know you’re strong and very capable, but would you do this for me?” How could she refuse when he looked so earnest?
Smiling shakily, she sat up and took the mug of tea, warming her hands on the thick ceramic. Tomas shifted to sit at the end of the couch, taking her feet in his lap to massage them gently.
“Right.” Iris smiled and opened her planner. “Let’s make you some breathing room.”
After Iris left, Tomas made scrambled eggs and buttered toast and brought them to Fiona. “I’m not an invalid,” she groused.
“No, but stay there if you’re comfortable on the couch.” He sat in the armchair and started in on his own plate of food, finishing off the entire contents in a few quick bites.
Switching her glance between his empty plate and the clock on the mantel, she realized how late it was. “I’m so sorry. You must have been starved, and then you made your own dinner. Here finish—” Feeling guilty as hell, she thrust out her plate.
“Stop apologizing. I’m a grown-ass man and can feed myself. Finish eating, unless it’s hard on your stomach.”
“You’re sure?” At his scowl, she smiled meekly and tucked into the delicious eggs. When she was done, she handed the plate to his outstretched hand. “That was perfect. Thank you.”
He grunted in satisfaction and took the empty plates into the kitchen. Hearing running water and the clatter of dishes, she rose from the couch and folded the afghan. She picked up her empty mug and brought it over to where Tomas stood elbow-deep in dishwater. “I’m going to have a bath.”
“Here, let me help you.”
“I’m fine. But thanks.” She patted his arm reassuringly and made her way toward the bedroom.
The tea and the ibuprofen were kicking in, and she was beginning to perk up.
Knowing she had no work commitments the next day was even better.
She started the water running in the tub, took off her clothes, and tossed them into the laundry basket in the closet.
She removed her jewelry and dropped it into a ceramic tray on the top of her dresser, then padded naked into the bathroom to climb into the tub.
Settling back, she closed her eyes and let the heat of the water envelop her.
“Scoot forward so I can get in behind you.”
Her eyes flew open to find a naked Tomas standing in the bathroom.
He made shooing gestures with his hands, and she hurried to comply.
The water sloshed dangerously close to the lip of the tub as he eased in behind her.
Not knowing what was expected of her, she made herself as small as possible, drawing her knees up and wrapping her arms around them.
Tomas’s hands came up and rested on her shoulders, the thumbs pressing up the column of her neck. “I thought the purpose of a bath was to relax.”
“I’m just…making room for you.” She shivered as his deep voice rumbled through her.
“I appreciate that, but I can’t rub away your aches if you’re all hunched up. Unless you don’t want me to?”
His hands were doing amazing things to her tight shoulders. Of their own accord, her arms relaxed and drifted over to rest on the hard thighs holding her in place. “Okay. That would be…nice.”
He didn’t speak, just continued massaging her neck and shoulders until she was a limp noodle and drifted in the heat of the water and the warmth of his touch.
If he wanted to know her deepest, darkest secrets and get access to her bank account, now would be the time to ask. She’d give it to him in a heartbeat.
“You’re almost asleep. Are you ready to get out now?” Grunting in response, she rose to her feet and climbed out of the tub to wrap herself in a towel. She turned to hand one to Tomas, and froze.
Water streamed off his fully erect penis as he rose from the tub. Fiona’s eyebrows came together as she lifted her gaze to meet his.
He smirked.
She blushed.
Grabbing the towel, he wrapped it around his waist and stepped out of the tub. “You were naked and in my arms. It’s a natural reaction.” He kissed her lightly on the forehead. “I’ll be fine.”
Fiona’s gaze darted around the room as she thought about options. “I could….”
“No, babe. Sex with you is awesome, but I can live without it. I waited years for you. A week or so is not going to bother me. Let’s get you to bed.” He turned her toward the doorway. “Go find your pajamas and climb in.”
Fiona headed to her closet to retrieve the pajamas hanging behind the door. When she emerged, Tomas stood by the bed, fully dressed.
“Oh. Are you going home?” She’d been looking forward to snuggling against him but steeled herself not to show her disappointment.
Hands in his pockets, Tomas shrugged. “I don’t want to, but this is new for us, and I thought you might want some space. Do you?”
“Not at all. In fact, I got something for you.” She twisted to retrieve a small gift bag from the closet, then placed it on the bed.
Tomas approached the bag, looking curious.
He tossed aside the tissue paper, then reached in and pulled out a length of silky black fabric.
Raising one eyebrow, he laughed in delight.
“You bought me pajamas!”
“Technically, they’re called sleep pants.
And, well, I thought I’d empty out a drawer and you can keep some things here so you don’t have to carry stuff back and forth to your place every day.
Not that you’re here every day, but the nights that you do spend here you’ll have something to put on.
I mean, I like you naked, but if you want something to put on…
.” Aware she was rambling, Fiona clamped her lips together.
Her plan had been to give him the sleep pants after they’d had mind-boggling sex, not on the eve of a dry spell.
Tomas shucked off his clothes and tossed them over the armchair in the corner. He stepped into the sleep pants and pulled them up until they hung above his lean hips, showcasing the V cut of his abs. “I like these.”
Gusting out a sigh, Fiona’s shoulders came down from her ears. “Good. You always sleep naked so I didn’t know if you wanted the matching top. I can get it for you.”
He’d come closer while she was speaking and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her nose. His eyes were soft and warm when he pulled back. “Maybe when it gets cold. I’m pretty hot in bed.”
“I’ll say.” At his knowing smirk, she stammered, “Temperature wise! Your body is warm. You’re like my own personal heating pad.”
He chuckled. “Glad to help. Are you ready for bed, or do you want to stay up for a while?”
A yawn was his answer, and she let go of him to climb into the bed. He went to his jeans to retrieve his cellphone and earbuds, and put them on his bedside table. “I’ll go lock up.”
Fiona snuggled down against her pillow, listening as his bare feet padded around the apartment. He returned moments later with a glass of water and the bottle of ibuprofen. She smiled at his thoughtfulness and sat up to take two pills.
He rounded the bed and eased in beside her before pulling her back against his chest and burrowing his nose in her hair. “How big is this drawer you’re giving me?”
“How big does it need to be?”
“I come with a lot of baggage.” There was vulnerability in his statement. A request to take him as he was. Accept his imperfections.
“I’ve got room for your baggage.” She twisted around to lie on her back and see him better. “I’ve got room for your big dusty boots and tool belt. Room for your toothbrush and razor. Room for your thoughts and ideas and hopes and dreams. I’ve got room for you.”
Propped up on his elbow, his eyes gleaming in the dark, a shudder ran through his body as he pulled her closer with an arm around her waist. His hand drifted down over her lower abdomen, moving in slow circles. The heat of it felt like heaven, and she sighed. “Can you do that all night?”
“Yeah, but it will cost you.”
“Name your price.”
“My drafting table in your office.”
If possible, Fiona’s heart softened even further. “I’d love that.”