“Yes, I was going to tell you when we got a free moment together. Since I’ve gotten back, we haven’t had many chances to get this all out there.”
“You could’ve called and told me that.”
“The fuck I look like telling you something like that over the phone?”
“Okay, okay. You got me on that one.”
“Mmhmm. Take this glass, honeybee.”
“Thank you,” she said as her fingers glided over mine.
She put the glass to her lips and took a sip. Her eyes gravitated to the glass and that let me know she appreciated the Cabernet Sauvignon. I took a gulp and placed my cup down when I noticed her look go from pleasure to panic.
“What’s wrong?”
“Bathroom?”
“Down the hall, first door on the right.”
She hauled ass to the bathroom and seconds later I heard her throwing up her soul. I looked at her glass then took another sip of mine to see if I would get sick as well. When nothing happened, I rushed to the bathroom and pulled her hair up, so she didn’t throw up in it.
“Baby, are you alright?”
I knew it was a stupid question, but it was all I could process. A million scenarios hit me and I needed her to shut the noise up.
After a minute she rested her head on her arm then nodded at me. I helped her stand and she went to the sink to rinse her mouth. I went into the little side pantry and grabbed mouthwash, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. I handed them to her and she sighed in relief.
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
“Have you been feeling sick like this all day?”
“Only when I eat something spicy. I haven’t today so I’m kind of confused,” she replied.
“Hmm, come. Let’s run you a shower and you can relax on the bench and take your time. Then you can climb into bed and I’ll bring you hot tea to help that feeling subside. How’s that?”
“Sounds perfect.”
She groaned as she brushed her teeth, like the taste was making her nauseous as well, but she continued. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and she continued to look down as she brushed.
I grabbed a rag and went to the kitchen to give her a little space. I ran cold water over the rag then wrung it out when I heard the faucet turn off. We met in the hallway and I placed the rag on her forehead. She sighed and gave me a forced smile as she grabbed the cloth. She was fear stricken and I wondered what scared her the most.
“Talk to me, honeybee, why do you look like that?”
“I haven’t been sick in a while. I don’t know what this is,” she mumbled.
“Maybe it’s the overexertion of the last couple hours.”
“Yeah, that was a lot. I can’t get Joshua’s eyes out of my head.” She closed her eyes then shook her head like the gesture would remove the image from her thoughts.
“I’m sorry you had to witness that. He killed Bryce and I reacted when I saw the bastard making his way to you. I only saw red. I wasn’t about to have him thinking he could lay a finger on you.”
“Bryce?! Oh no. No wonder Arlando was showing out like that.” She shook her head then sighed. “I appreciate that, Armond. I do. I just need to lay down, I guess. I mean, I feel a little better since throwing up.”
“That’s good. Come on.”
I picked her up bridal style and carried her into my bedroom. She wrapped her arms around my neck tightly and rested her head against me. Her sweet perfume filled my nose, mixed with her shampoo. It was a combination that made me do irrational shit like shooting someone in broad daylight without caring about possible consequences.
I pulled the blanket back with my semi-free hand and she giggled then threw herself onto the bed. She quickly took off her shirt then scooted out of her leggings before I could say anything. I smirked then went into the en suite to start her shower.
