A Perfect Ten (Forbidden Men #5)(90)

The party was pretty much over at that point. I drove back to my apartment behind Zoey and Quinn, who also hadn’t eaten the shrimp. But I still couldn’t settle my nerves. Finally, I left and drove to the spot down the street from Gam’s house where I always picked up Caroline for our midnight rendezvous. I sat in my truck, watching his place until it started to get dark. And then I sat a while longer.

Was she still sick? Getting enough fluids? Resting? Damn it, I couldn’t take this shit. I needed to see her. It was late enough that some members of the house might be in bed, so I climbed out of my truck and moseyed my way to Gamble’s backyard. I paused in front of a window I was pretty sure was her room and began to tap on it. Just a light tap so as not to alert anyone else to my presence, but I didn’t let up until a blind lifted and a pale Caroline peered out.

Her eyes widened. I waved, sent her a sheepish grin, and jammed my hands into my pockets as I waited for her to unlock the window and slide it up.

“Oren! What the heck are you doing here?”

“I’m checking on you, what’s it look like?”

She shook her head, confused. “Have you heard of a cell phone?”

“Sure. I even have one. But I wanted to see you. Think you can get this screen out? I’m coming up.”

“What?” She glanced behind and came back around with wide eyes. “Are you insane?”

“Yes. Now let me in. Please.”

She sighed as if deliberating her choices. But finally, she shook her head and eased the screen away from the window. Once she had it popped free, I started my ascent. It wasn’t easy, but I was a determined motherf*cker. Some scrapes and bumps and a handful of newly invented curse phrases later, and I was in.

Sighing my relief, I pulled her in for a gentle hug. “How’re you feeling?”

“Better,” she admitted, resting her head on my shoulder. “My stomach’s still not right, but I don’t think I’m going to throw up anymore.”

“Good.” My hand went to her forehead because she felt so warm against me. “You feel hot. Are you running a fever?”

“A small one. But Aspen’s already set me up for the night.” She motioned toward her nightstand where she had water, aspirin, a thermometer, washcloth, tissues and such. Then she turned back to me. “I can’t believe you just crawled into my window to check on me.”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re sick. I can’t exactly make you come to my place to take care of you.”

After I took her arm and steered her back to the bed where she’d pushed her covers aside to answer my window call, I helped her back down onto the mattress.

She must’ve still felt pretty crappy because she let me pamper her without a fight. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she sighed in thanksgiving. Then her lashes fluttered as she studied me. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

“Too late. Already worried, already here. You’re just going to have to deal with me.” I went to work, fitting the window screen back in place and then closing and locking it. Then I kicked off my shoes and pulled my shirt over my head. As I shimmied out of my pants so I was in nothing but boxer shorts, Caroline simply blinked at me.

“If you think I can perform right now, you’re sadly delusional.”

“Funny,” I murmured and lifted up one side of her sheets so I could crawl into the bed behind her and spoon up against her. “Didn’t I already tell you I can survive one night without sex?”

Her voice was throaty and tired. “Yeah, but...wouldn’t this constitute as a second night?”

“Nope, because you ended up giving it to me that night, too. So I’m claiming this as my one and only abstinent night.”

“Thanks,” she mumbled, burrowing back against me. “I appreciate it, because I don’t even want to move.”

I kissed her shoulder. “Good, because you don’t have to. I’m here to take care of you.”

When I started to lightly knead her shoulders, she groaned. “Oh God. That feels good. I swear every muscle in my body is sore.”

“Poor thing,” I cooed and kissed her hair. “I’ll massage it all away.” And I damn near did too—I kept rubbing long after she’d gone to sleep on me. Then I just buried my nose in her hair and held her.

I fell asleep holding her and was still holding her when tremors began to wrack her body.

“Care?” I murmured, half out of it as I blinked myself awake. “Caroline? Shit, what’s wrong?”

“So...cold.” Her teeth chattered and shoulders shook.

“Yeah, well you’re burning up.” I sat up so I could reach across her and snag her pain reliever. “When’s the last time you took this?” I calculated the hours after she told me, and it wasn’t quite time to give her another dosage, but I said, “Fuck it,” and sprinkled two tablets into my palm.

I helped her sit up, and she had to lean against me to swallow and drink some water. When I made her take another gulp of water, she frowned but obeyed. Her cheeks were flushed with fever, and that worried me.

“What can I get you?” I asked as she lay back down and closed her eyes.

“Blankets,” she mumbled.

So I scoured her room for every extra blanket and, hell, a couple sweaters I could find. After I piled them on top of her, I burrowed back in with her. It was hot as f*ck under the covers and right up against her. But she appreciated my heat, so I held her close and let her take all the warmth I could give her.