Page 128 of Playing My Rivals

She wiggles her shoulders and tries to lie down again. Seconds later, she presses up and stares at her chest. After a few more tries, she rolls to her back.

“We’ll have to skip the massage. I can’t find a good position.” She throws her arm over her eyes.

“Is there a reason you can’t get comfortable? If there is, I could help you figure it out. I don’t want to skip the massage. You were so relaxed and now you’re frustrated.”

“You can’t help.” She shakes her head, still hiding her eyes.

“Please tell me why this just took a terrible turn?” My stomach clenches. “Please help me understand.”

She peeks from behind her arm. “It’s not you. It’s my boobs. They’re tender and I can’t lie on them.”

I know what this means. It happens every time she PMSs really bad, which would also explain her recent moodiness.

“I know just the trick. We did this the last time this happened.” I jump off the bed and disappear into the en suite. I come back, rolling a towel. “Put this under your chest like you did that one time. It seemed to work well.”

She sits and takes it from me. Her smile comes back and my life is so much better. My tension leaves immediately.

“Thank you. I forgot we did this last time.” She flips over and gets comfortable. “That is exactly what I needed. I’m so happy you remember this because I was about to pout.”

I laugh under my breath. “You don’t say.”

“I really want a massage.” She turns her head my way and closes her eyes.

That was easy enough. If only I could get everything else to be easy like this, my life would be complete. I take a deep breath as I admire her. She has my heart in her hands. It’s terrifying to think I’ll lose her.

I dismiss the thought and give her a nice, long massage. The time disappears as I rub her skin. I sink into connecting with her this way. She falls asleep about halfway through, so I bring the blankets up and cover her.

The wine and dessert will have to wait for another day. I get ready for bed and then slide in next to her. She rolls over, snuggles up, and rests her head on my chest. She’s still sleeping, so it’s automatic. My heart swells knowing this is how she naturally wants to be.

It’s been a long weekend, but a good one. Taking care of Dorothy while she’s been so sick has bonded us in a way I didn’t know we needed. She’s really leaned into letting me do everything for her.

I shoot Melanie another text per Dorothy’s request.

Me: Sorry to bother you again. Dorothy’s staying home sick. I’m working from here to help her. Can you stop by and bring her some files?

Melanie: Consider it done. I’ll bring them by at lunchtime. Just send me a list of what Dori needs. Why can’t she text me herself?

Me: She’s still sleeping. I talked her into staying home last night, but she only agreed if I could get her these files. She has a huge deadline coming up.

I press send and check on her. She’s sitting in bed, rubbing her stomach and grimacing in pain. She peeks up at me when she realizes I’m watching her.

“I brought you some coffee.” I move to her side and place it on the nightstand.

She jumps out of bed, ghostly white, and stumbles. I rush to her side to steady her.

“Get me to the bathroom, Hunter. I’m going to be sick.” She covers her mouth with her hand and leans on me.

I get her into the bathroom, where she proceeds to wretch and throw up bile. I’m really worried about her. She’s been sick for almost five days now and it’s a little worse each day. She barely eats or drinks anything. Something has to change.

“You’re dehydrated, and I need to figure out how to get you to eat.”

“I’m fine, but my stomach and lower back are killing me. I think that’s why I got dizzy and weak.” She shakes her head, hiding it from me. “Did you talk to Melanie? I need to get some work done.”

“Like hell you do. You need to get to the doctor.”

“But the deadlines. If I miss another one, everyone will wonder why you hired me.” She holds her head in her hands. “They already think I’m a slut who has sex in my office.”

Oh.

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