REESE
My head was pounding. I could feel the bruising starting. Tomorrow, I would be a series of ugly splotches.
“Let’s get you to bed,” Thea said.
My eyes popped open and a smile spread across my face. “That sounds like a very good idea.”
“Not me,” she teased. “Come on. Show me the way.”
“Upstairs,” I said. “To the left.”
“Maybe you should sleep down here,” she said, worried.
“I’m fine. I’m sleeping in my own bed. You should sleep in bed with me. Make sure I’m okay and stuff.”
“I can’t,” she said. “I have to get back to the dogs.”
“But shouldn’t you want to be here?” I pouted. “Take care of me.”
“Stop,” she chided.
We walked upstairs very slowly. My muscles were very stiff. She led me to my room, and much to my surprise, she started to help me undress. That perked me right up. I reached for her shirt and started to pull it up.
“What are you doing?”
“Aren’t we getting naked?” I asked.
“No. You are getting undressed and into bed.”
My hands slid over her body. “But this would be so much more fun if you were getting into bed with me.”
She undid my pants. “You seem to be feeling just fine. Take off your pants.”
“I like a woman that knows what she wants,” I said and immediately flinched. The cut on my lip was an issue.
“Get into bed, or I’m leaving,” she threatened.
“You’re leaving anyway,” I pouted.
“True,” she said with a small laugh. “I flew out of my house and didn’t get the dogs set up for a night alone. Besides, you are clearly just fine. And handsy.” She batted away my hand on her breast.
“I had a near-death experience,” I said. “The way to remind yourself you are alive is with sex.”
“I wasn’t aware that was a rule,” she replied.
I was in my underwear, horny and hard and the woman was tucking me in like I was a child. “Keep this bag on your knuckles,” she ordered. “And this one needs to be on your face.”
“You should crawl in here with me and make sure they stay in place,” I suggested.
“You are so bad.” She leaned down and brushed her lips over mine. “Get some sleep. I’ll be back in the morning before I go to work.”
“I’ll stay in bed if you promise to get into bed with me,” I offered.
“I have a feeling you’re going to be singing a different tune in the morning. I can already see the bruises. I’ll bring breakfast. You’re going to need to take it easy tomorrow.”
“If I agree to take it easy, will you stay in bed with me?”
I was two seconds from begging. I couldn’t explain why, but I needed her. I wanted to feel alive. She kissed my forehead. “Get some sleep. I’ll be back in the morning.”