His finger glides over my smiling lips. I capture the finger and press a kiss against it. “I love when you wake me up. You as the first thing I see in the morning is the best way in the world to wake up.”
A groan comes out of him as he leans down to kiss my forehead. “Tell me you’re feeling better.”
“I’m feeling better.” I respond dutifully as I run a hand down his chest only covered in a tight white shirt.
With a sigh he shakes his head. “Not yet, not for what I want to do to you.”
“I am though.” I whine. I don’t care how I sound, I want him to make love to me.
“Alicia, you aren’t. Now, do you want to get up for breakfast or do you want me to bring it into you?” I’m pouting, I hate being sick. I hate Cesare. His sigh is loud. “Fine, I’m going back to work.”
“Cesare.” What the hell? Why am I crying?
I’m in his arms, “Sweetheart, please don’t cry. Y0u’re sick. I want to make love to you but not when you aren’t well.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying. I feel awful.”
“Shh... it’s okay. It’s okay to cry. You don’t feel well, it’s normal.”
Cesare’s arms around me make everything better. Wow, I had no idea I was so dang clingy. I should be embarrassed only Cesare’s sweet response won’t let me.
The tears die down slowly. Cesare pulls back, “All right, cara?”
“Yes, but... I’m dying for a shower.”
He squeezes his eyes shut. “Neither of us are strong enough for a shower. How about a bath?”
I’m sad he won’t be holding me in his arms. “Okay.”
A gentle kiss to my cheek and he’s going into the bathroom. He knows I like an extra hot bath. I slide to the edge of the bed and take the odious nightgown off. I’m considering having Claudine burn the damn thing. Cesare is shaking his head as he sees me. I’m in his arms again as he carries me into the bathroom. Gently, he lowers me into the steaming bath.
“Relax, enjoy the water. Call me when you’re ready to get out.” Another kiss and he’s gone.
Stupid strep throat.
I take my time in the bath. When my fingers start to get wrinkly I reach for the shampoo, I had wanted to leave washing my hair until I was ready to get out. Heat flashes over me, I look up to find Cesare watching me, leaning against the open door of the bathroom.
“I wanted to check on you. You’ve been falling asleep in the blink of an eye, I was afraid you’d fall asleep.”
“No, I just want to wash my hair and then I’m done.”
He moves with an easy grace I can only marvel at in someone so large, he’s beside the bathtub on his knees. Taking the shampoo from me, he opens it then pours a small amount in his palm. He’s washed my hair before, he loves my hair and because of the way he loves it, I’ll never do more than trim it again for the rest of my life. A sigh escapes me. His large hands massage the shampoo into my scalp, slow, gentle, he brings the soap to a lather. He tilts my head back as he pours water over my hair, again and again, until the water runs clear.
Done, he pushes the release for the water then helps me stand. He hands me one towel for my hair. I squeeze out the excess water than wrap my hair in the towel. Cesare uses another towel to dry me off, I’m biting my lip as I watch his hands move over me, they aren’t steady, and th
e sight makes me wet for him all over again. Wrapping the towel around me, I’m up in his arms again.
He sets me down on the bed. “Any requests for clothes?”
“No, whatever you pick is fine with me.” I work on my hair while he’s gone.
I’m handed a silky soft stretchy camisole, panties and lounge pants in a soft cotton. Cesare helps me dress. Once I’m covered, he scoops me up again. I rest my head on his shoulder. God, I’m already tired again. But I’m also hungry.
Claudine smiles when she sees me. “How are you feeling today?”
“Better, thank you for helping take care of me yesterday.”
“No problem at all dear. What would you like for breakfast?”