Page 52 of Protecting Salvation

Chapter16

He wokewith the mother of all headaches, his brain felt like it was going to pop out of his eyes as a groan forced its way past his lips. He stayed still as nausea roiled from the pain, an arm slung over his eyes to stop the light from making it worse.

“You need your meds?”

“Yeah.”

He hated her seeing him like this but if he got out of bed now he’d puke at her feet or, worse, pass out. He felt her get out of bed and even that slight movement was torture. He kept his eyes closed, just concentrating on breathing as she padded back into the bedroom and knelt beside him.

“Here, let me help you sit up and take these.”

Shame twisted his insides as Peyton wrapped her arm around his back and helped him to sit as he heaved and panted. How could she want to be with him like this? He might as well be dead at this point if this was his future.

He popped the tablets in his mouth and took a tiny sip of water and sank back on the bed. He could feel her watching him, feel her pity and he fucking hated it. He loved this woman and wanted her to look at him with desire and love, not to see a weak, pathetic man who couldn’t even stand up right now. She needed to feel protected and he wasn’t sure he could fight his way out of a wet paper bag right now.

“You need anything else?”

“Can you close the curtains a bit more? The light is killing my head.”

He heard the swish of the fabric and the light dimmed a little more. His place at the base was better when he was like this because when he turned out the lights, it was pitch black from being underground. But he needed, no, he wanted to be here with her.

“Thanks.”

“Should I call Savannah?”

“Nah. I’ll be fine. I just need to sleep it off.”

Her lips were cool as she kissed his shoulder. “Call me if you need me.”

“K.”

It was all he could manage right now. He managed to fall asleep as the pain eased up and was in and out all day long. When he woke again it was dark outside and the house sounded quiet. Swinging his legs out of bed, he waited as a wave of dizziness hit, clutching at the bed to steady himself. When it passed, he stood and used the bathroom, noting his grey pallor. At least he was on his feet and the pain was manageable now.

Pulling on gym shorts and a tee, he walked downstairs and was greeted by Bertie dancing around his legs.

“Hey, Bert, where’s your mum?” He stroked the little guy and went in search of Peyton. He found her in the living room, reading a book with a shirtless guy on the cover. He’d teased her about her reading material until she read a spicy scene for him and then proceeded to act it out. He was now fully on board and thought romance authors might be the unsung heroes of the world.

“Hey.”

She looked up and gave him a sweet smile as he sank beside her and pulled her into his arms. This right here was what he needed, just her in this tiny house. Her fingers threaded gently through his hair and he closed his eyes, letting her touch erase the last of the pain.

“I’m sorry.”

“Whatever for?”

“Being useless and ruining your weekend.”

“Warren Tanner, don’t piss me off. You did not ruin my weekend and you’re far from useless.”

“I was today. If something had happened I couldn’t even get out of bed to help you.”

“Are you saying you’re only here to protect me, because I thought we were so much more than that?”

“No, of course not. I’m here because I’m addicted to you and can’t stay away and I want you safe.”

“And I am safe, so relax.”

He wanted to argue but he didn’t have it in him right now, so he just held her closer, resting his head on her chest and breathing her in, like she was his salvation.