Free Naughty Little Wishes (Birthday Dare) by Nina Crespo

had killed her to call him. He didn’t want her sick, but if illness provided a way for him to fix what he’d messed up, he’d take advantage. He hated talking about the dream. Stress brought it out even more and right now, he faced a shitload. He’d launched into a bad explanation of it without thinking. He’d tell her the truth if she stopped fighting him on every detail, including her obviously needing to stay in bed.
    “You passed out on your client. You called for my help. I had to pull over twice on the way home because you had to throw up. You’re sick and I’m here to help you until you’re better. Deal with it.”
    The hostility in her face faded to annoyance. “Fine, let me call my assistant.” She scooted past him before he could stop her from getting up.
    “Where are you going?”
    “To get my phone out of my bag.” She swayed on her feet, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m okay. Let me go.”
    “No. Didn’t you hear what I said? I’m helping you.” He swept her up and laid her on the bed.
    “Why, because of your precious contract?”
    Frustration from their morning, the shock of Margo interrupting his meeting with Tab’s message saying she needed him, driving to pick her up with knots in his gut worrying about her…it all exploded inside of him.
    He leaned down and met her nose to nose. “This has nothing to do with the contract. I care about you being sick. I wasn’t going to deal with this now, but you won’t let it go. Yes, I was dreaming about being in the accident with Shana, but I was wide awake when I kissed you. And I definitely knew who was under me. I was hard for you, Tab, not Shana. And if you weren’t sick, I’d keep you in bed all afternoon to make sure you got it through your thick head.”
    “Oh.” Anger made it hard for him to appreciate her expression of wild-eyed bewilderment.
    He breathed in, took his anger down a notch and stood. “You’re not working today or tomorrow. After that, we’ll take it day by day. One call. No arguments.”
    She made her call, studying him the whole time, and gave the phone back.
    He handed her a glass of water and cold-and-flu pills. She took the medicine and moved farther under the covers. With a deep sigh, she closed her eyes.
    Now, he needed to clear his own schedule. With Devin still in San Diego, he hesitated taking time off. He’d work from his home office and use the latest and greatest tech equipment he’d installed and never used. Establishing the changes with Margo went smoothly. He changed clothes, checked on Tab, and focused on work.
    For the next two days, his world narrowed to keeping her hydrated and feeding her what little food she’d take. He slept in late, a luxury he’d never allowed himself during the week. Training switched to his home gym with treadmill runs, miles on a stationary bike, and laps in the pool. He hovered close by when he heard her moving around upstairs, but gave her the space she seemed to need. She’d erected an invisible wall to keep him at a distance. He couldn’t blame her. No, they weren’t in a relationship, but Shana had no place in the equation of them hooking up. It had never appeared as an obstacle in the past, but he’d also never actually slept with anyone else after having sex.
    He took advantage of his third peaceful, late morning and floated in the pool after completing laps. During the past four years, how much time had he actually spent at his house? A place to sleep, entertain clients, keep his possessions, park his cars, but he’d never used his house like a home, or shared space with anyone, since Shana. He’d never had a reason until now. Having Tab in his home, taking care of her, oddly, it felt…good.
    He showered and checked on Tab. For the first time, she slept soundly instead of fighting the covers. The drugging effect of medicine knocked her out completely. He touched her forehead and brushed her cheek. Cool skin. Finally .
    As he jogged