Chapter Eighteen
DIANE
I felt terrible. My head was pounding, and my body felt weak and stiff at the same time. At least I hadn't sweated through my nightgown again.
I shifted on the bed. Wait a second. What the hell kind of pillow do I have? It wasn't soft and fluffy; it was hard.
I opened one eye. It wasn’t a pillow. I opened the other one too. No, this was for sure no pillow. It was a defined male chest.
I lifted my head abruptly, which turned out to be a big mistake. My eyes watered, but I still saw Gabe clearly, sleeping in my bed.
No, hang on. This isn't my room.
I was in his bed.
After a split second of panic, last night's memories rushed in. I'd been sick as a dog in my room, and he'd carried me here and even tried to give me medicine, but I couldn't remember drinking it.
I turned onto my other side, looking at the nightstand. There was a glass. It was only half full. Maybe I'd drunk it in the night and couldn't remember.
My phone was right next to the glass. It was seven o’clock.
I slid back under the covers, curling onto one side and putting my head on the pillow this time.
But I couldn't find a position I liked. I molded it into a shape I thought would be better, but still, I hated it.
No, I had to go back and use Gabe's chest as a pillow.
Carefully placing my head on his skin so I didn't wake him up, I drew in a deep breath. I felt so good here. I couldn't explain it, but I was completely at peace.
I dozed off and only came to myself sometime later. I felt a light touch down my back. Gabe's chest was moving up and down quicker. Even in my hazy, sleepy state, I realized he was probably awake. I moved my head slowly, placing my hand between my chin and his chest. His eyes were wide open.
"Good morning, beautiful. How are you feeling?" he asked.
I swallowed hard. "Not good. My head is swimming. But I'm better than yesterday."
"I'll take care of you today," he announced.
“Nooo, I don’t want to get you sick.”
“My immune system is great. Don’t worry about that.”
"But you said you have a lot of things to do."
"My team has got it handled. Besides, we dealt with the crisis last night, so I have some leeway today." He kissed my forehead. "Stay here in bed while I make breakfast for both of us."
I bit the inside of my cheek as I slid down and put my head on my palm. "I could come and help out," I said half-heartedly. On one hand, I absolutely didn't feel capable of getting out of bed, but on the other, I was a bit afraid of leaving him alone in the kitchen.
"No. I'll take care of everything. You just rest," he said.
My heart grew in size. I touched his chest and then his back as he got out of bed.
"Don't tempt me already."
I grinned. “You’re right. Silly me. You need your coffee first.”
He looked at me over his shoulder, then took my hand, kissing it.
I was so immensely happy even though I felt like shit. I wanted to take a shower, too, as I was sticky from all the sweat. But I just couldn't muster the energy to get there.
I grabbed my phone by reflex, checking my emails. When I fell ill yesterday, I’d emailed all my tutoring students and had to cancel the appointments today too. I also had a tour booked today, and I regretfully informed my boss that I couldn’t make it.
I was a warrior and liked to push through, but even I had my limits. I'd apologized to my students and offered to reschedule at their convenience.
I also messaged Celia, since I was supposed to meet her tonight for drinks.
Diane: Hey! I’ve got a cold. It’s pretty bad. Let’s meet another evening, okay?
Celia: OMG. Do you have everything you need? I can stop by after the morning shift.
Diane: No, I don’t want to get you sick. And I have a lot of medicine. Don’t worry about me.
Celia: Are you sure?
Diane: Yes. I’ll be super mad if you show up.
Celia: Got it, boss!
I opened the Netflix app on my phone, thinking I’d watch something, but five minutes later, my head began to swim. I was in even bigger trouble than I thought.
I put it down, closing my eyes. I had no idea how long I stayed like that, but I only opened them when I heard footsteps, and then I saw Gabe carrying a tray. I instantly grinned, pushing myself up into a sitting position. My eyesight blurred.
Oh, Diane. Come on, get your shit together. A sexy man is taking care of you. You can't miss any details of this. You have to commit it to memory.
“A glass of orange juice, of course, and two boiled eggs, along with toast.” He’d put a slice of butter on the plate and some sort of orange jam in a small bowl.
"Wow, this looks so professional."
He laughed. "I did my best."
Since this wasn't an actual bed tray, I had to take care not to spill any crumbs. He’d brought a plate for himself, although his was far less organized than mine.
I started with the eggs. The second I swallowed the first bite, I realized this was my first meal in twenty-four hours.
I was starving. Maybe that was why I was so light-headed.
"Gabe, thanks so much. God, I needed this breakfast."
I spread butter on my toast and then put jam on it afterward, munching it quickly. "Mmm, apricot jam."
"Thought you’d like something sweet.”
"Oh, you're definitely a great guy."
"How do you figure that?" Gabe asked.
I sucked in my breath. "Well, you know, you carried me here. You brought me breakfast. You're basically a knight in shining armor. You’re good at relationships—not that I mean to imply anything."
Gabe looked at me intently. "I've never been in a relationship. Except if you count high school, which I don't. And a two-month fling a few years back."
"You've never had a relationship?" My voice sounded like a cry.
"No. Why is that such a surprise?"
"I don't know. I thought… Never mind, it's none of my business." I looked at my plate intently. "Really, I was just paying you a compliment."
I felt him slide closer to me on the mattress. He nuzzled the tip of his nose against my cheek, then brought his mouth to my ear.
"I feel closer to you than I’ve ever felt to anyone." He put a hand on my waist and kissed down my neck before bringing his mouth back to my ear.
The next second, my entire body relaxed. I wasn't even aware that I was so tense before, but it was as if hearing those words released something inside me.
“I feel the same.”
He straightened up, looking right at me. "So stop being so surprised that I’m bringing you breakfast and looking after you. I always give the very best in everything I do."
I started laughing. "That sounds like a business pitch."
He kissed my forehead before capturing my mouth. The kiss was slow but not tentative. He was exploring me. I shuddered and then began to tremble in earnest. How could he affect me so much with just a kiss?
He pulled back, and I protested. "No, why did you stop?"
"Because I don't want to turn either of us on.”
“Wait a second. Your voice is low and raw and a bit grouchy, so…"
He cocked a brow. I looked down in his lap. He was sporting morning wood.
I grinned. "No comment."
Was I feeling like shit? Yes.
Was I also extremely proud? Hell yes. But right now, I wanted to simply stay in bed and hydrate a lot.
"I've spoken to a family friend who's a doctor. He advised that you limit effort and drink as much as possible. If you still have a fever after four days, you should go to the hospital and see if it's not something bacterial that they can treat with antibiotics."
"You've called a friend of yours?"
"I actually wanted him to come see you right away, but he said it's not necessary."
I hadn’t felt so cared for since I was a kid. Chuck would never have done this for me.
"Gabe, thanks." My voice was uneven. I was sure he could tell.
"I'm at your service today. I don't need to go to the office.”
"I'm probably going to sleep," I said honestly. "I’ll talk to Celia, too, and let her know I’m feeling better.”
"You can tell her to drop by, if you want," Gabe said.
"Well…I mean, I haven't told her about us."
"True." He trapped me with his gaze.
"So maybe I'll tell her to come another day. I just want to be in better shape when we talk to her."
"You think she'll take it badly?" Gabe asked.
"I think so," I admitted. "You're her boss, and…" I didn't voice the rest of my fears because they weren't my sister's. They were mine.
What if this was a silly mistake? What if it ended as soon as it started, and then not only would I have to move out, but I'd also have made work incredibly uncomfortable for Celia? I would hate for that to happen.
"Then we'll tell her another time," Gabe said. "Now, you said you want to sleep, right?"
"Yes."
"Scoot over." He picked up the plates and set them on his nightstand.
"Why?"
"Because you went out like a light on my chest, so I'm offering it up as tribute."