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  “Your temperature rose pretty high several times throughout the night. You are very lucky to have a woman in your life who cares so much about you. I know for a fact she barely slept last night; if she got more than a couple of hours, you would have missed your medication and your fever would have spiked. You were dangerously close to being admitted into the hospital, and if it wasn’t for Kenzie, I would have called the ambulance myself.”

  “Vivienne, it was—“

  “Don’t argue, Kenzie. I know how little you slept, and I have the text messages to prove it.” She gives Kenzie a look that basically prevents further argument. “I’m just saying dear, you have a wonderful woman here. Don’t let her get away.”

  “I won’t, Mom.” I’m taken back by my mother’s words. I can’t recall her ever saying that to me before.

  “I see you’re eating soup; you’re feeling okay?”

  “I’m going to…” Kenzie nods toward the hallway, clearly wanting to give us privacy.

  “I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck, honestly. My entire body hurts,” I admit.

  “I’m not surprised, Nicholas. You were pretty sick last night. The test results all came back clear, so I think this is a case of food poisoning. According to the ER nurse who was on last night, they had several people come in with food poisoning. Looks like you weren’t the only one who had the chicken dish last night.”

  “UGH, I’m never going back to that hotel.”

  “I know you probably don’t want Kenzie to see you like this, but it’s important someone is here with you the rest of the weekend. Just because you’re feeling a little better now doesn’t mean you’re going to keep feeling so good. As you begin to eat and drink more, you could become sick again as your stomach might not be ready to handle food just yet. Dehydration is a major concern with any type of illness, but especially with food poisoning. So either you allow Kenzie to stay here until Carter and Julie come back on Monday or I call for an ambulance and have you admitted to the hospital so I can keep an eye on you.”

  “Is that really—“

  “Yes, it is,” her voice is firm and lets me know that I will not win this argument. I have no desire to be admitted into a hospital; the last thing I need is for the press to start leaking stories that I’m dying or have some debilitating illness that prevents me from running PFS.

  “Okay, Kenzie can stay the weekend,” I say with resignation.

  “Now, was that so bad?” She raises an eyebrow chuckling. “I need to get going, been working far too many hours and need to get some sleep before my next shift. Let Kenzie know I said goodbye. I’m serious, Nicholas, don’t let this one go. It’s very rare to find a woman who is as selfless as she is. Last night should have proved to you just how much she cares for you.”

  “Thank you, Mom, I love you.” I kiss her on the cheek before she walks out of the room.

  I’m shocked that Kenzie volunteered to stay the weekend with me; she could have easily said she had plans and let my mother arrange for me to be admitted into the hospital. Our date ended last night, she didn’t need to agree to stay beyond the dinner. She could have told Carter and my mother that she wasn’t able to stay. Why didn’t she? Why would she agree not only to stay the weekend with me, but if what my mother said was true, stay up most of the night to make sure I was okay? Maybe she thought if she didn’t stay with me I would get mad? That I would terminate our arrangement?

  “Did your mom leave?” Kenzie walks into the kitchen, quickly pulling me from my thoughts.

  “She did, she wanted to get home and to nap before her next shift.”

  “I’m sure she’s tired.”

  “Kenzie… I don’t want you to think that I’m ungrateful—“

  “No, I don’t think—“

  “I know I sounded ungrateful,” I interrupt her quickly. “I appreciate you staying here last night, more than you know. Thank you for this weekend; thank you for keeping me out of the hospital. This… what you did... it’s more than I ever would have expected.”

  “I’m just glad I could help.” She shrugs it off, obviously uncomfortable.

  “And the soup was delicious. I’m looking forward to having more later, if I’m still feeling good.”

  “I’ll leave it on the stove to keep warm; it’ll make a good light meal later tonight if you get hungry.”

  “So… Did you want to watch a movie or something?”

  “Sure, that would be nice.”

  We settle into the only room in my apartment that has a television. I don’t have much free time, so watching television is something I rarely do. In my billiards room, I have a large flat screen TV on one of the walls with a large couch in front of it. Originally, Austin convinced me to get it so we could play video games on it, but then Cara insisted I get a movie streaming subscription so she could order movies when she is here. I rarely use the service, but it’s here. There’s no way I could concentrate on PFS work right now, even if I wanted to. My body is too sore and my head feels like it’s in the clouds. I doubt I could respond to an email right now, let alone do anything productive. At least with the TV in here, it gives Kenzie and me something to do since she’s stuck here all weekend.

  “What type of movies do you like?” I ask her as we both sit down on the couch in front of the TV.

  “Something funny would be nice, but really I’ll watch anything.”

  I flip through the on-screen guide until I reach the comedy section and slowly scroll through the movies, most of which I’ve never heard of until she speaks up.

  “Oh, can we watch that one? I saw the previews when it was in the theater but never got a chance to see it.”

  “Sure, whatever you want.”

  “Oh, let me grab my phone. I need to set the alarm for your next medicine.”

  She jumps from the couch before I can offer to get it and returns a few minutes later with a prescription bottle and her phone. She presses a few buttons before placing the phone on the arm of the couch next to her. Just as I hit play on the movie, I see her putting the throw blanket that was on the chair next to my bed over her legs. Suddenly, I realize that not only did Kenzie sleep here last night but that she slept in my bedroom. God, I hope I didn’t have a nightmare. She hasn’t mentioned me having one, so hopefully last night was a rare night.

  “Nicholas? Nicholas?” I hear Kenzie’s voice and realize I must have fallen asleep at some point during the movie.

  “Sorry… how long was I out?”

  “About three hours. I wasn’t going to wake you, but you need to take your medicine.” She hands me a couple pills and a bottle of water.

  “I should get up anyway.” I stand up but realize I must have stood too fast because the entire room goes black and I feel dizzy again.

  “Sit back down.” Kenzie’s by my side immediately, her arm around my waist helping me back onto the couch.

  “Thanks… I must have gotten up too fast.”

  “Maybe try and wait a few minutes before you get up again?”

  “Yeah, probably a good idea.”

  I sit back on the couch and close my eyes, willing my body to return to normal. I hate being sick—I especially hate letting someone see me like this. She shouldn’t have to deal with me being sick; if I wasn’t afraid my mother would follow through with her threat to admit me into the hospital, I would insist that Kenzie go home. She shouldn’t have to stay the entire weekend with me, worrying about medication schedules and cooking soups. I’m sure this is the last thing she imagined doing this weekend, she was probably—

  “Your cooking classes,” I realize aloud.

  “I sent them an email last night letting them know I wouldn’t be able to attend—“

  “Oh Kenzie, I’m so sorry. Perhaps you can still go tomorrow? I’m sure—“

  “It was a two-day class; you needed to commit to attending both days when you registered for the class. Really, Nicholas, it’s not a big deal; they’re offering another weekend class in a couple of mon
ths so I’ll arrange for them to transfer my payment to one.”

  “I completely forgot. I assure you, had I remembered, I would have figured something else out so you could still take your class.”

  “Nicholas, it’s fine, really; you needed someone to stay the weekend with you, and I could arrange my schedule easier than anyone else could, it was a simple decision. There will be other classes that I can take, so please don’t give it a second thought.”

  Well, now I feel worse than I did earlier; I feel like a dick for not remembering that this weekend was the cooking class she signed up for. I could tell she was excited about it when she told me on our way to dinner yesterday. I feel like such an ass for not remembering. When I can think more clearly, I need to find a way to repay her for everything she has done this weekend. Giving up her class, rearranging her life, is more than I think anyone would have done in the same situation. Allowing myself to think back to my life a few years ago, I can honestly say that no one in my life outside of my family would have done something like this for me. She never would have given up something she wanted to do to take care of me. Not for the first time, I can’t help but wonder what the fuck I was thinking.

  Chapter 21

  Nicholas

  “What should the sleeping arrangements be tonight?” Kenzie asks.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well… last night I slept in your room—“

  “You did?” I had a feeling this was the case, but hearing her confirm it still surprises me, even if it shouldn’t.

  “It made sense… I had to check your temperature every couple of hours, then give you medicine and water. It didn’t seem feasible for me to sleep upstairs. I know it probably wasn’t ideal, but I moved a chair next to your bed and slept there so I could keep an eye on you.”

  “I was wondering how the chair moved there.”

  “I’m sorry, I meant to move it but I didn’t want to wake you—I guess I forgot about it.”

  “No, it’s fine. When I woke up and saw it there, I thought I moved it there but couldn’t figure out why I would have done that.”

  “Your mom said you probably won’t need anything tonight but that I should keep an ear out just in case. Carter put my bag in a guest room upstairs, but I don’t think I would be able to hear you from there.”

  “Kenzie, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I’m feeling much better, especially after having more of the soup you made.”

  “I know… I would just feel better if I were closer, just in case.”

  “If it makes you sleep better tonight, how about if I sleep in the guest room next to the room you’re in tonight?”

  I immediately regret the suggestion the moment the words leave my mouth. If she is sleeping in the room next to me, it increases the chance that she could hear my nightmare. If by some chance I managed to not have one last night when she was in my room, it almost definitely guarantees I will have one tonight. UGH, I should have thought of another option. I can’t have her hearing me. I don’t need her asking questions about why I have them. She doesn’t need to know about that part of my life; we don’t need to cross that line. I don’t want to see her looking at me with pity the way anyone does when they witness my nightmares. She’s one of the few people who don’t look at me like that.

  “Really? That would be a great idea. Are you sure you don’t mind? I could always sleep on the couch or something—“

  “Kenzie, I’m not going to have you sleep on the couch. It’s bad enough you had to sleep in an uncomfortable chair—“

  “It wasn’t—“

  “It’s much less comfortable than a bed would have been, I’m sure. I can’t ask you to sleep on the couch tonight.”

  “Thank you, I appreciate that. I just want to be close enough that if you need something or if I have to call your mom… ”

  “It’s fine.”

  “I think if you don’t mind, I’m going to get ready for bed. I’m pretty beat and that bed upstairs is calling my name,” Kenzie says a few minutes later.

  “Of course. There should be everything you need in the bedroom, but if something is missing, let me know, and I’m sure I can figure out where Julie keeps whatever it is you might need. The bathroom should be fully stocked as well. I’ll be in the room just to the left of your room. I’ll be heading up in the next few minutes as well.”

  “Thank you, Nicholas. Is there anything you need before I go upstairs?”

  “No, I’m fine. I’ll take a couple bottles of water up with me and my medicine.”

  Kenzie takes our glasses to the kitchen before heading upstairs, while I sit back on the couch for a few minutes and try to figure out how the hell I’m going to get through tonight without having a nightmare. After a few minutes, I realize there is nothing I can do, I go to my room and change into something I can sleep in. Before heading upstairs to the guest room, I stop in my office and grab my laptop, taking it upstairs with me. I don’t know that I’ll be able to get much work done, but perhaps if I can distract myself, I might avoid having a nightmare.

  When I get to the top of the stairs, I pause at the closed door of the room Kenzie is sleeping in tonight. I don’t know why I stop, but I find myself wanting to go into her room. Walking into the room next to hers, I shake my head. I turn on the laptop and wait for it to start while scrolling through emails on my phone to see what I have missed in the last twenty-four hours. Of course, I have dozens of emails that I haven’t read, let alone responded to since I left for the dinner last night.

  I’m reading through an email from Alex about a company that we’ve been considering taking on for over a month now, when I hear the shower water start. It takes me a moment to realize that Kenzie must be getting into the shower in the ensuite just on the other side of my room. Immediately, my mind goes into overdrive; knowing she is in the shower, I can’t not picture her naked in there. I imagine her standing under the hot water, her pale skin turning pink from the heat as it cascades down her beautiful body. It takes everything in me not to rush into her room, open the bathroom door, and walk into the shower with her…

  I wouldn’t bother to take my clothes off but would wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her against me until she could feel just what she does to me. Unlike the kiss at the awards dinner, I take full control of this one: my lips are firm against hers, she gasps in surprise as I take advantage and slip my tongue into her mouth. I explore her mouth while my hands explore every inch of her body that I can reach. She tugs at my hair, pulling me closer to her as she becomes more aroused.

  My hands find her perfect breasts; she moans against my lips when I tease her hardened nipples. She tugs my pants down, freeing my dick that begs for her attention. I groan into her mouth when she takes me in her hand… I’m so close to coming, it takes everything in me to hold it back. I haven’t been this out of control since I was a teenager. I’ve never been so turned by a woman; I want nothing more than to plunge deep inside her and stay there all night.

  Reminding myself that Kenzie deserves more than that, I force my attention back to her. My gaze goes down her beautiful body, taking her in completely for the first time. I touch her everywhere and it’s still not enough. Her body is screaming for me, begging me for attention. My fingers leave her nipple and slowly move down to her pussy. She gasps when I apply the slightest pressure to her clit. Her back arches, pushing her tits against my shirt-covered chest as I slide my fingers through her slick folds. She grips my dick tighter, pumping it as she begins to rock her hips against me. Our breathing is heavy, we’re both moaning loudly as we both get closer to our releases.

  ”Fuck… KENZIE!” I gasp as I come, having been so caught up in my fantasy that I was pleasuring myself, while imagining it was Kenzie’s hand on my dick.

  The shower water is no longer on. I have no idea how long I was lying in bed imagining her in the shower. I can’t remember the last time I had to jack myself off. I can usually control myself. I don’t know how
to stop thinking about her like this. I need to keep things professional between us and can’t risk her finding out that I’m thinking about her like this. The last thing I need is for her to be disgusted by me and cancel our arrangement. I need to find a way to stop thinking about her.

  Shaking my head, I head into my own shower, hoping that will clear my thoughts. Getting lost in the water seems to help, at least a little. My thoughts return to the last email Alex had sent about the company I desperately want to work with.

  I leave the shower and return to my bed to begin responding to emails now that my mind is more focused. My alarm on my phone goes off, I quickly take the medicine and return to work. I’m glad I’m beginning to feel better, although I really don’t think Kenzie needed to stay the weekend. I think my mom overreacted, but I can’t possibly tell her that. I lose myself in work, responding to emails and reviewing financial spreadsheets until I can’t think straight any longer.

  “No! Please… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean… Ow! STOP! Please… please… you’re hurting me… ”

  I jump out of bed, ignoring the dizziness that threatens to force me back down when I hear Kenzie calling out. I can’t move fast enough, I race out the door and down the hall to her room. There’s less than fifty feet between our doors, but it seems like it takes forever to get to her room. Thankfully she left the door unlocked—I don’t know that I have the energy to break it down right now, and hell if I know where Carter keeps the keys.

  “Stop… please… please… ” Kenzie is whimpering when I finally reach her bed.

  I try calling out to her, but she doesn’t answer me—I don’t know if she hears me. I assume she is having a nightmare because it’s obvious no one is hurting her right now. I sit on the bed next to her, trying to determine what I should do next. I don’t know if I should wake her, but I can’t just sit here and listen to her crying.

  “Ow! Ow! Please… stop… I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she cries, and I know I need to do something.

  I slide myself down, lying next to her, and pull her close to me. Her body stiffens at my touch, but I just hold her close to me, whispering in her ear that she is safe. It takes several long minutes but finally her crying seems to lessen with only the occasional sob coming out.