Page 89 of Knot All that Glitters: Part 1

He strokes a knuckle down my cheek. “Just some pain meds of my own making. It’s stronger than aspirin. You won’t have any side effects. I promise.”

I nod, wince, and then open my mouth, letting him slip the pills onto my tongue. “Good girl,” he praises, holding the water to my lips. I swallow what I can, then turn my head to the side.

“I also brought something to help you sleep through the worst of it.”

I tip my head back against the headboard, the small amount of water I drank down sloshing uncomfortably in my stomach. My eyes are already drooping, my energy sapped from the sex and the pain.

“I don’t think I’ll have a problem sleeping. Thank you, though.”

He strokes my cheek again. “I’ll leave them here in case you change your mind, okay, angel?”

“Okay,” I breathe out, eyes already drifting closed. It’ll take some time for the meds to work, I know that, but just the act of taking those pills seems to have helped somewhat, my body already sinking into the mattress, head lolling against the pillow.

Creed’s fingers return to my temples, rubbing gentle circles. “Feels nice,” I murmur, eyes already drifting shut.

Lips press against my forehead. “Good. I’ll keep doing it until you’re all better, baby girl.”

I want to protest. He doesn’t need to do that. It’ll be hours, but exhaustion is already pulling me under, burying me in the soft, smothering embrace of sleep.

Chapter 23: There’s my girl

The next morning, I’m still groggy from the migraine, the dull thud in my head doing nothing to help. My mouth is dry and cottony. My eyes feel gritty, like I didn’t get enough sleep. I’m also very warm, bundled up against a hard, hot chest that smells like driftwood and sea salt.

Soft fingers stroke over my hip, my stomach, the dip of my waist. Not sexually, just soothing, caring, like I’m precious. Jude’s breath puffs across my collarbone, his nose buried in the spot behind my ear.

I blink blearily and frown into the dark. The curtains are still closed. There isn’t a shred of light anywhere. It’s always a little disorienting after I have a migraine, but this is even more so, without a single shred of light to tell me what time it is. Still, I suppose I should be grateful that they took my directives so literally.

I shift, twisting my head a bit to see if my phone is somewhere nearby. The movement alerts the alpha wrapped around me that I’m awake. His head lifts from my neck, and I can feel him staring down at me, but I can’t see him in the dark. It’s frustrating.

“Button?” His voice is rough and low, intimate. “Do you need something?”

I shift again, stretching out toward the light on the bedside table to turn it on. Jude takes over for me, though, sliding most of his weight on top of me and flicking the switch. I wince against the sudden flare of light, but it’s not as bad as I would have thought. Just enough of a glow for me to make out his face.

When I look up at the lamp, I see that they’ve replaced the usual one with something much dimmer.

“We thought this would be better for after your migraine,” Jude says, dipping to brush his lips over my temple. “Hi, belly button.”

“Hi,” I whisper and Jude’s eyes close in bliss, a smile curling his lips.

“There’s my girl.” He nuzzles into me, brushes our noses together before he kisses my mouth softly. “Pretty gray eyes. Pretty pink mouth.” Another kiss. “Pretty flushed cheeks.” He trails kisses over my jaw. “Missed you so much.” His arms band around my back, arching me toward him as he nuzzles his face between my breasts, his ear resting over my heart.

I frown and lace my fingers through his hair, holding him against me since it seems like he needs it.

“I’m right here, Jude. I didn’t go anywhere.”

His chest moves with a deep inhale. “Will you say my name again for me, button?”

My frown melts and I smile softly, carding my fingers through his hair, scraping his scalp with my nails. “Jude.”

“Again.”

“Jude.”

“Mmm, one more time.”

I laugh and humor him. “Jude.”

He grins and rests his chin on my sternum, looking up at me with twinkling green eyes. “Maybe one more?”

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