Rush (Breathless #1)(78)

If she weren’t so damn drunk, he’d tan her ass right here and now. Of all the irresponsible, idiotic things to pull.

He pulled back her covers, fixed the pillows and then arranged the sheets so he could slide her into bed. If she wasn’t so sick, he’d haul her over to his apartment right now and she’d stay there until they left for Paris.

He walked back toward the bathroom, frowning when he heard nothing but quiet.

“Mia?” he asked as he stepped to the doorway.

He shook his head at the sight that greeted him. Mia was sitting on the floor in front of the toilet, her arm propped on the seat. Her head was resting on her arm and she was passed out cold.

With a sigh, he bent down and lifted her into his arms. He carried her into her bedroom and laid her on the bed so he could undress her. When she was naked, he stepped back long enough to undress to his boxers, and then he climbed into bed next to her, arranging her so she was comfortably resting against his body, her head pillowed on his arm.

They were going to have a long damn talk in the morning whether she had a hangover or not.

Chapter twenty-six

When Mia opened her eyes, it felt as though someone put an ice pick right through one of her eyeballs. She groaned and turned from the source of light shining through her window only to see Gabe standing in the doorway of her bedroom.

He was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, his hands shoved into his pockets as his gaze trailed down her body. She didn’t know if it was because she rarely saw Gabe in jeans that she reacted so strongly to the sexy-as-hell sight or if he just looked incredibly hot in denim.

“Feels like shit doesn’t it?”

She didn’t pretend to misunderstand what he meant. She nodded, the motion hurting her head all the more.

He pushed off the doorway and walked to the bed, settling on the edge next to her.

“The car is waiting out front. Get dressed so we can go.”

Her brow furrowed. “Where are we going?” She didn’t want to move. She wanted about another six hours of sleep. Maybe then she’d wake and her head wouldn’t hurt so badly.

“My apartment,” he said shortly. “You have five minutes. Don’t keep me waiting.”

Her lips turned up into a snarl as he moved away and disappeared from her bedroom. If he was only going to give her five minutes, then he couldn’t expect her not to look like death warmed over. She needed a hot shower and time to put herself together.

Hell, she still didn’t even know what bug he had up his ass from last night. For that matter, she didn’t even remember getting to bed. All she remembered was brushing her teeth. And then waking up.

Gabe had spent the night, but had he slept?

She pushed herself out of bed, groaning as she trudged to her closet. She yanked out a T-shirt and a pair of jeans, not even bothering with bra or underwear. It wasn’t as if Gabe liked her wearing panties anyway.

She did pack a quick bag with a few changes of clothes along with the things she’d forgone—bra and panties—and then she went into the bathroom to throw her toiletries in the bag.

When she walked into the living room, she saw that Gabe was standing by the window staring out. He turned when he heard her.

“You ready?”

She shrugged. She wasn’t really, but whatever.

He pulled her into his side and then put his hand to her back as they headed out of her apartment. A few moments later, he bundled her into the waiting car and got in beside her. As soon as the car took off, he motioned for her to come to him.

He tucked his arm around her, and she sighed as his warmth seeped into her body. She nestled her head on his chest and closed her eyes. She’d expected him to lecture her. Or rant about whatever he was pissed at her for. But he’d been surprisingly quiet, almost as if he knew just how badly her head hurt.

His mouth brushed over her head, and he kissed her hair as he smoothed the strands with his hand.

“When we get to my apartment, I have something you can take for the headache,” he murmured. “You need to eat something as well. I’ll make you something that isn’t hard on your stomach.”

A thrill began low in her belly and worked its way into her chest. It was so easy to lose herself in the fantasy of being with Gabe because he made it easy. He took absolute care of her. He saw to her every need. Was he demanding? Hell yes, but he wasn’t selfish. He took. He was ruthless in his demands. But he gave her back so much. Not just materially but emotionally, though he’d likely deny he did any such thing.

She was nearly asleep when they rolled to a stop in front of Gabe’s building. Gabe got out, and to her surprise, he reached in and lifted her into his arms, carrying her through the doorway to the elevator.

She burrowed her head underneath his chin and enjoyed the strength of his hold on her. He carried her into the elevator and had her insert the card to get to his floor and then they rode up, her nestled solidly in his arms.

In his living room, he lowered her onto the couch, and then went to get pillows and a blanket from his bed. He tucked her in and then went into the kitchen a moment. He returned with a glass of milk and a pill. She frowned when she saw it and raised her gaze in question.

“It’ll help your head,” he said. “But drink some milk first. It will make you woozy and it will be worse if there’s nothing in your stomach.”

“What is it?” she asked suspiciously.