Page 154 of Mayhem and Minnie

“Still cold.”

Her brows bunch together. She bites her lips as she looks at me.

Going back to the drawer, she takes out another blanket and packs it on top of the others.

Fuck, that’s hot. Almost too warm, and I love being hot.

“Now?”

I shake my head again.

She glances at the empty drawer. Good, maybe now that there are no more blankets, she’ll get a hint.

I expect her to suggest to lend me some of her body heat. I’m waiting for it with my heart in my throat. Of course I’d prefer her to be naked when she does that, but for now, I’ll take any crumb she gives me.

She debates with herself for a few moments and I see the wheels spinning in her mind. Soon, she’ll reach the unavoidable conclusion.

I’m bracing myself for it while doing my best to temper my excitement.

She finally nods to herself, but instead of climbing in bed next to me, she dashes out of the room.

I frown. But within seconds, she’s back with another blanket—her own.

She places it on top of the others and smiles to herself, satisfied.

“Warm now?”

It’s almost insufferably hot, but I shake my head.

“Oh no! You must be really sick, Marlowe. What are we going to do?” she whispers, her features torn. “There are no more blankets…”

I clear my throat.

“In the past, people used to warm each other with their bodies,” I add slowly.

She stares at me, her lips parting in surprise.

“You mean… But…”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” I sigh and turn my head to the side.

Her breathing picks up as she contemplates what to do.

It might be manipulative of me to do this, but one thing I’ve learned about Minnie is that she likes to help. If she’s willing to put herself in harm’s way for a puppy, surely she should be willing to help an ailing man.

I release another heavy, pointed sigh.

“Is it that bad?” she asks in a small voice.

“I’ll be fine,” I mumble. Then feign a cough. That does hurt since my throat is still somewhat sore.

The minutes trickle by. Her indecision hangs in the air.

Then, without a word, she picks up the heavy blankets and slides under them.

At first, she’s tentative about it. She doesn’t come near me, maintaining a small distance between us.

I shiver intentionally and she slides closer. But still not as close as I’d like.

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