Page 28 of His Virgin Woman
“Is there anything you want me to do?”
“Just ...make sure everything runs smoothly, and be there for Peyton.”
“Will do.I hope you feel better soon.”
And he was left alone once again.
He didn’t want to be sitting in his damn living room, but the truth was, the moment he got to his feet, his head started to spin.It was not a good feeling to have.He had vomited last night, and he lifted the blanket over himself.At least once a year, he fell sick, usually around this time, and more often than not, he doped himself up on some medicine and got to work.He never took time off.
However, with Peyton, she was bossing him around.She kept coming into the sitting room, changing the movie whenever he asked her.Not that he was paying attention to any of the movies because he was more interested in his woman than anyone else.
Leah kept coming to him as well, letting him know what was happening.They had Mrs.Reynolds stopping by for her order of cupcakes that Peyton was able to fulfill.Peyton was dealing with a couple more orders that had been made in advance, including a few birthday cakes and an anniversary cake.
Much to his surprise, Peyton also arranged to make lunch for the workers, and she got everything set up outside.When she came to see him and offer him more dry toast, she sat down on the coffee table in front of him.
“How are you feeling?”she asked.
Without a word from him, she put the back of her palm against his head.“You’re not as warm.”
“You’re spoiling my workers,” he said.“I can hear their appreciation from all the way in here.”
Peyton laughed.“Yeah, they appreciate the fact that they don’t have to go out to lunch.I did warn them this was a one-off.That the moment you feel better, I will be back at the bakery and will not be able to cook for them.I think they’ll enjoy it while they can.”
“You know, you didn’t have to cook for them, and you could have gone to the bakery.I can handle this,” he said.
“Yeah, you can handle it and probably make yourself sicker, and I’m not going to allow that to happen.Stop being a stubborn ass, and let me take care of you.”She got to her feet.
He looked up at her, and before she left, she leaned down and pressed a kiss to the cheek.“Rest,” she said.“You need it.”
And with that, she left the living room, after putting on a brand-new movie for him to watch, which he didn’t pay any attention to.
By the end of the day, he had randomly slept, only waking up when Leah or Peyton came to check on him.He didn’t like feeling so weak, but this sickness bug had seriously knocked it right out of him, and he was not impressed by feeling this way.He wanted to throw up, but instead just dealt with it, as there was not much else he could do.
Leah came in to say goodbye, and then Peyton came in, carrying a bowl.
“I’ve got you some chicken soup,” she said.
This made him pause.“What kind of chicken soup?”
“The kind your mom labeled, ‘Shae’s favorite’ in her recipe book.”She stopped a few feet from him.“I hope that’s okay.I found her recipe book, and I also baked a batch of those cookies you mentioned.”
He looked at her.“You did?”
“Yeah.”
He pushed the blanket off his body, and then got to his feet.With the rest, he was starting to feel a little better.Making his way into the kitchen, he saw them on cooling racks—the large chocolate-chip-cinnamon cookies—and he moved toward them, then inhaled their sweet, spicy scent.They smelled amazing.
“Wow,” he said.
It had felt like a lifetime since he last had one of his mother’s cookies.Picking one up, he knew he should wait to have these until after his soup, but he needed to try one.Taking a bite, he melted on the spot.They were exactly as he remembered.Sweet and perfect.His mouth watered for more.
“They are amazing.”He went to her, and Peyton held the soup tightly as he wrapped his arms around her.“You are amazing.”
“Your mother has well-written instructions.”
Shae also knew his mother would often say there was a key ingredient that went into making them.Something not a lot of people had, and he looked at her and just knew.His mother always said that when she made them, she did so with lots of love in her heart.
Did Peyton love him?He knew it was fucked up to even think that, but his dad had tried to make the cookies, and yes, there had been love, but it wasn’t the same.
