Page 122 of Forbidden Harmony

“He’s, um, he’s here at my place. He has amigraine.”

“I know,” Gideon said. “He usually comesto my place when he has one. He texted me and said he was on his way over.”

“He showed up at my place about half anhour ago,” Addie said.

“Why? I didn’t think it was seriousbetween you two. Preacher told me it was just fuc -”

He stopped abruptly, and Addison felt amoment of shame. She swallowed it down and said, “We are just, um, screwing.He probably came here because the pain got too bad and my place is closer. It’sa bad one – he can barely walk and he’s throwing up.”

“Well, I can come get him if you want,”Gideon said. “I’ve been through this with him more times than I can count, andhe can be a real asshole when he’s got a migraine. Not that I blame him.”

“It’s fine,” Addison said. “He’s sleepingright now, and I don’t want to wake him up. If he wants to go to your placelater, can I call you to pick him up? I still don’t have a car.”

“Yes,” Gideon said. “If you need anything,just call me. Okay?”

“I will. Thanks, Gideon.”

She hit the end button and went back intothe bedroom. She returned Preacher’s phone to his pocket and turned on theceiling fan. It was starting to get stuffy in the bedroom, but she didn’t wantto open the window. The noise from the street might wake him. She stood bythe side of the bed and studied Preacher. Why was he here? In the last threedays, he hadn’t made any effort to contact her.

A small part of her – okay a very largepart of her – had hoped that he would show up at her place on Wednesday nightwith another apology. Even Thursday night she was still holding out hope. Heliked having sex with her, maybe that would be enough to get him to admit he’d beenacting stupid about Lucas.

But by this morning, she’d had to admit thetruth to herself. Preacher really was done giving her lessons. The sex wasover between them.

Oh yeah? He showed up at your apartment,didn’t he? You just gave him a goddamn blow job.

Preacher had shown up at her place insteadof Gideon’s because he was one of those migraine sufferers who could find somerelief from the pain with an orgasm. He knew she would give him one, so hecame to her place.

You sure about that? He never mentionedan orgasm, you brought it up. Remember?

She ignored her inner voice and leaned downto brush her lips across his cheek. He didn’t move and she crept out of thebedroom and into the kitchen to finish making dinner.

* * *

She probably shouldn’t sleep in the bednext to him, but it was almost midnight and she was tired. Preacher had beensleeping for hours and would probably sleep through the night. She could havetaken the couch, but it was uncomfortable and there was enough room next to himin the bed. Besides, she reasoned as she undressed to a nightshirt and herpanties, she should be close by in case he needed the bucket to vomit again orwanted to go to the hospital.

Or in case he needs another blow job.

She flushed as she slipped carefully intothe bed next to him. Yeah, that too. What kind of person did it make her tohope that Preacher would need another orgasm? She’d watched her mother sufferfor years with migraines and she knew how horrible they were. She shouldn’t bewishing something like that on him just because it gave her a thrill to make himclimax.

She eased up the covers, trying not tojostle him as she laid on her side and stared at the wall. She shouldn’t be sohappy that Preacher came to her when he was sick either. It didn’t meananything. Maybe he thought she owed him because he took care of her when shewas sick. Yes, that was probably it. Which was fair enough. He had takenvery good –

She jerked when Preacher shifted closer untilhis body was pressed against hers. He put his arm around her waist, and she didn’tobject when his big hand cupped her breast and kneaded it lightly. It didn’ttake long before his erection was pushing against her ass. He was lying verystill behind her, only his hand moved as he squeezed and caressed her breast, andshe touched his forearm.

“Do you still have a migraine?” shewhispered.

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry. I hoped an orgasm would help.”

“It did,” he said in a low voice.

He didn’t say anything else and after amoment, she said, “Do you want another one?”

More silence and then, sounding unsure andnothing like the usual brash Preacher, he said, “Yeah. If you don’t mind?”

“I don’t,” she said immediately. Beforeshe could twist around, his hand was sliding under the waistband of her pantiesand cupping her pussy. His rough fingers rubbed at her clit and she moaned beforegrabbing his wrist. “Hey, this is about you, remember?”

“I want to fuck you this time,” hemuttered.

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