Page 39 of Reaper
“Aw, shit,” I mumble as another wave of nausea has me hugging the toilet. “There’s nothing left,” I cry in between heaves.
I don’t know how long I sit here, but the moment I’m confident my stomach is done protesting, I use the vanity for leverage to stand. Staring in the mirror, I’m horrified to find dark circles under my eyes, pale skin, and horribly messy hair. But it can’t be helped.
After brushing my teeth, I’m exhausted and barely able to stand without support. There’s no way I’m going to be able to get the kids up and to school. I make my way to my nightstand where my cell is plugged into the charger and call the first person that comes to mind.
“Morning, beautiful,” Reaper says by way of greeting. “I was just about to text you.”
“Trust me, there’s nothing beautiful about the way I feel right now,” I croak, my throat sore.
“Damn, you sound awful.”
“Thanks. I feel even worse. I think I’m dying.”
“Say no more,” he says. “I’ll be over to take care of you.”
“No, really. I’m okay. I just need you to help with?—”
“See you soon.”
He disconnects before I can respond. Feeling a little better knowing that I don’t have to go anywhere, and with the house still quiet, I crawl back into bed. I try to fight off sleep so I can at least tell Heidi and Hunter to have a good day at school, but I must doze off because the next thing I know, the mattress dips with added weight.
“Hi,” Reaper says, smiling down at me.
“You came.”
“I told you I would.” He helps me sit up and hands me a glass of water. “Here, you need to stay hydrated. Kids are with my brothers so you can rest for the day.”
“With your brothers? Reaper, they have to be in school.”
“Babe, it’s Saturday,” he says. “No school, just fun.”
I must be sicker than I realize if I don’t even know what day it is. Reaper flattens his hand on my forehead, and his brow furrows.
“You’re burning up, Kyra.”
“That explains the sweat.”
“Sweat is good. It’ll help with the fever. I think we should get you in a cool bath though, just to give it a little boost.”
“Over my dead body am I getting into cold water,” I snap.
A shadow passes over his eyes, but it’s gone so fast I convince myself I made it up. Then he smirks.
“Ya know, when you first said you were sick, I thought you might be pregnant.”
Holy shit. That thought never even occurred to me. What if I am? I shake that thought out of my head. I had my period a few weeks ago, and Reaper hasn’t touched me beyond a kiss in two months.
“Nope. Not pregnant.”
“I figured. Now, up with you,” he insists, standing and tugging me to my feet. “Gotta get that fever down.”
“Can’t you just leave me alone?” I whine.
“No can do.”
My feet refuse to work so Reaper lifts me in his arms and carries me to the bathroom. He closes the toilet lid before setting me down so he can fill the tub. Another wave of nausea slams into me.
“Oh, no,” I mumble, sliding off the toilet to the floor.
