Page 29 of The Killer's Prize

Chapter Thirteen

As Jessie emerged from the shower, she heard Sergio coughing in the kitchen. She frowned and listened more intently. Nothing. Oh well. Jessie was running late for work. She hurried back into their bedroom and quickly dressed. Usually, Sergio made them breakfast every morning. He always made her eat something before she went out for her shift.

She found him in the kitchen, staring at the toaster. She noticed it wasn’t even on, despite the two slices of bread poking out. She neared Sergio, alarmed by how pale he was. He wore a blue robe over an old sleeping shirt and boxers. His hair was all mussed up and his nose was red. Sergio sneezed. He grabbed a couple of tissues from the box on the counter.

Jessie pressed a hand to her mouth. He looked adorable when he was sick. She hugged him from behind, catching him by surprise. The fact she managed to sneak up on him told her just how out of it he was. He could hear her from a good distance.

“Are you sick, baby?” she asked him.

“No, I’m fine.” Sergio sounded grumpy as hell. She hugged him tighter. He let out an adorable sniffle. “I spaced out a little, but I can make you a sandwich?”

Jessie parted from him, then checked her wristwatch. She was running late anyway. She looked him up and down critically again. “I’m going to call my manager and tell her I have an emergency. I’ll head out and buy you some medicine. I’ll get you some hot soup.”

She took out her phone from the back pocket of her jeans, but Sergio grabbed her hand.

“You don’t have to do that. Like I said, I’m okay.”

“You’re not.” She huffed. “You’re sick, baby. Someone needs to take care of you.”

He scowled at her. “That’s ridiculous. I’ve never been sick my entire life.”

“You must’ve caught a cold from someone at the bar last night,” she said. “The flu’s been going around lately.”

Sergio and she had a date, dinner and amazing sex once they got home last night. He seemed completely fine. Tomorrow marked their three-month anniversary. Jessie no longer woke up terrified Mr. Rossi and his goons would somehow manage to track them down and finish the job they started.

She had been recently promoted to assistant manager at the bookstore—that was the reason they had a mini celebration last night. Sergio seemed satisfied working for the security firm in town as well.

“Don’t worry about me.” Sergio looked down at himself and furrowed his brow. “I’ll go change and drive you to work.”

She put a hand on his chest. Jessie knew how bullheaded Sergio could be. “No, you’re not going anywhere.” She grabbed his hand and led him to the living area, then made him sit on the couch. “Sergio, you have a cold. Stay here. I’ll get you some medicine.”

“No, I need to drive you to work,” he insisted.

“Can you really drive in that state?” She placed her hand over his forehead. At least he didn’t have a fever.

“You don’t need to take time off work. I know it’s your first day as assistant manager.” Sergio paused, likely thinking hard. “I’ll stay put here and rest.”

Jessie blinked. Did he actually just compromise? That was almost unheard of. Sergio always wanted everything to go his way, although since the incident with Ted, he’d changed so much. Ted finally stopped flirting with her. He never pressed charges and treated her like any other coworker.

Sergio had learned to control his temper better over the past few weeks. He hadn’t gotten into a single fight at all. She thought back to last night. Some drunk had hit on her, but Sergio stood his ground and didn’t resort to violence. After Sergio told that drunk to politely fuck off, the drunk understood his message. She was relieved. He had gotten a reputation in town as being someone no one would screw with.

“Will you really be fine on your own?” she asked, still worried.

“Jessie, I’m a grown adult man. I can handle a stupid cold.”

She hesitated. “What about this? I won’t skip work, but I’ll stop by during lunch to give you your medicine and soup. How does that sound?”

“You don’t have to fuss.”

She smiled and slid on his lap. He automatically wrapped one arm behind her ass, ensuring she wouldn’t fall off. Jessie gave him a peck on the cheek, because if she kissed him on the mouth, they might just end up fucking on the sofa.

“You shouldn’t come too close. You might get sick, too,” Sergio said.

He released her. She nodded. “Okay, you stay put and don’t do anything strenuous. Promise me you’ll take it slow and rest. Do you need me to call your boss at the security firm?”

Sergio shook his head. “I’ll message him. Go. You’re already running late.”

“I’ll see you in a few hours.” Jessie snatched the key to the Mustang from the bowl near the front door. She lingered by the doorway. Sergio saw she hadn’t left. He grumbled something under his breath, then lay down on the sofa.

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