Chapter 38
Marcus
Ihave never felt this bad in my entire life.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I’m not someone who over exaggerates things, especially when I’m sick, but whatever the hell this is, I feel like I’ve been run over by a bus multiple times.
I’ve not moved from my spot on the bathroom floor all afternoon.
The cool feeling of the tiles is my only reprieve.
I’ve had to watch today's match on my phone, instead of up in the studio with the buzz and excitement. It has pained me not to do my job today, but watching Lily, I can’t help but smile.
She is meant to be behind that desk. She really doesn’t need me, or anyone else.
The semi-final determined that there’s going to be a final between Spain and England, and I can’t wait.
After the coverage of the match finished and Lily signed off, I turn my phone off and lean against the bathroom wall, closing my eyes. I’m exhausted and I’ve done nothing. I have no energy to get into my bed, so for now, this is where I’ll stay.
“Hey,” someone whispers as my hair is brushed away from my sweaty forehead.
I’m too exhausted to open my eyes. “Hey, Diaz.” A soft hand palms my cheek, and I nuzzle into it, my eyes still firmly shut.
“Christ, you’re burning up.” The soft touch vanishes, and I frown, trying to open my eyes but fail miserably as the brightness of the bathroom blinds me.
Attempting to stand, I instantly regret it as my head starts to spin.
“Hey, stay still.” Lily is back with me, placing a cool washcloth across my brow.
“We need to get you into your bed.” She continues to dab my brow.
The relief of the cool material makes my body instantly relax.
“No comment about me getting you into bed? You must be bad.”
“Mmmm,” is all I manage to get out.
“Do you still feel sick?”
I shake my head slowly.
“Good. Here, keep this on your head.” Her warmth disappears as I take the washcloth.
“Where are you going?” My tone sounds panicked as I’m finally able to pry my eyes open.
Dios, she’s beautiful.
“I’m just getting you some water. You need to hydrate.
” She smiles softly at me as she walks out of the bathroom, only to return with a fresh bottle of water.
“Here.” Unscrewing the cap, she passes me the bottle.
Taking a small sip, I rest my head on the wall, closing my eyes again.
Neither of us says anything for a while as she continues to take care of me.
“Seriously, we need to get you into bed. Have you really been on this floor all day?” She removes the washcloth as she rests her back against the wall, her shoulder brushing mine.
Without thinking, I rest my head on top of hers before taking her hand in mine, interlocking our fingers. She gives my hand a little squeeze. “Yep. I did have the show on my phone, though. You did great.”
“Thanks. But if I’m honest, I actually missed you,” she says wistfully.
“That’s understandable.”
“Listen, you need to get better, because I can only be nice to you for so long.” She nudges me, making me laugh for the first time all day.
“I can’t say I actually liked seeing you on screen without me. Even if you did an amazing show. You don’t need me there, but I wanted to be there.”
“We’ve still got the final on Sunday.”
“Should be fun.”
“Definitely. Now let's get you into your bed.” She stands, untangling herself from me before holding her hands out.
“Okay.” She helps me to my feet and hooks her arm around my waist. “I could get used to this side of you. Nurse Chambers has a good ring to it.” We move towards the bedroom as she giggles next to me. “Might fake an illness if this is the treatment I get.”
“I’ll be able to tell.” I sink down to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Arms up.” I lift my brow at her. “Not for that, you animal. You need to strip off to bring your temperature down.” I do as I’m told, and she drags my t-shirt up and over my head before she bends to kneel at my feet.
Her hands drift up my thighs to the hem of my sweats.
“Lift.” She captures my gaze as I slowly lift my hips.
She drags my sweats down, leaving me in just my boxers.
God, if I wasn’t feeling like the whole room wasn’t spinning, the view of Lily on her knees in front of me would be enough.
Especially when she starts to unbutton her blouse as she walks to my dresser, taking one of my t-shirts.
She has slept in one of my shirts every night since we started whatever this is, and it gives me a little hope that she thinks this is more than casual because I’m long passed casual.
“Lie down.” She speaks so softly, I listen without question.
She walks back over to the bathroom and disappears inside.
She comes back into the room, looking like a vision in my shirt, placing my water bottle on the side next to me.
Her lean, toned legs disappear under the fabric of my t-shirt, and I groan internally because these past few weeks with her have been insane.
We’ve fucked on every surface in my room.
She always comes to my room. She knows I will only come to her room when she leaves that door open, and she is still to do that.
She looks a little nervous as I try so hard to keep my hands tucked under my pillow so I don’t reach out and take her hand to pull her into bed with me and ask her to stay. “Thanks for tucking me in.”
She seems so unsure as she shifts on her feet. “No problem.” She fists the hem of my shirt.
I can’t do it, I need her to stay.
Reaching out, I catch her wrist, and she tracks the movement, not meeting my eyes. “Stay.” She sucks in a breath before she finally drags her eyes to mine. “Please.”
“Okay.” Releasing her, she moves to the other side, and my heart is beating wildly as she pulls back the sheets.
I’ve seen this woman at her most intimate when I’ve been deep inside her, but right now, knowing she wants to be lying next to me, hope blooms that we’re moving past casual.
She settles in next to me, her head resting on the pillow, and we both stare at each other, small smiles on both our lips. “You feeling okay?”
“Never better.”
“You look like shit though.”
Chuckling, I interlock our fingers. “Physically, I’m a wreck, but emotionally, I’m fucking perfect.”