Page 39 of Master Cole

Damn, shock was definitely setting in. He finished drying her, then grabbed his robe off the hook on the back of the door and slid it on her. Her hands disappeared under the fabric, but it would keep her warm. He towel dried her hair a bit and tossed the towel into the sink.

Cole picked her up once again and carried her to his bed. He threw back the covers and placed her on the mattress. The pillow would get damp but he could replace it with a fresh one in a few minutes.

He covered her as she curled up on her side, and then he made his way back to the bathroom, where he dried his own body, grabbing two fresh towels and a brush before going back into the bedroom and slipping on a pair of sweats.

Crossing to the bed, he looked down at Janie. Her eyes were open, bright green eyes staring at him. “Can you sit up?”

“Sure.” She started to sit up, then put her hand to her head. “I’m dizzy.”

“It’s okay.” He took her by the shoulders, supporting her. “Let me dry your hair a bit and brush it out.” Cole maneuvered himself so he was sitting partially behind her.

Taking a dry towel, he began to massage her damp hair until he was satisfied, then he picked up the brush and began pulling it through her dark hair.

“Feels good.” She let out a sigh, her shoulders relaxing.

“Don’t fall asleep on me,” he said, finishing up with her hair. It shone in the pale light of his room.

“So tired,” she whispered.

“I know, baby, but you need something to drink and food before you can sleep.” Cole picked up a fresh towel, lifted her hair, and draped the towel over her shoulders. That should help keep her and his robe dry. Later, he placed a towel on her pillow.

He took the damp pillow and tossed it on the floor before stacking the other pillows up. “I want you to sit up and wait for me. I’ll be right back. No getting out of bed, no falling asleep, no lying down. That’s an order.” Cole stood and lifted Janie until her back was resting against the mound of pillows. He pulled the comforter over her legs before he snatched up the wet towels and pillow.

Cole made quick work of throwing the towels in the hamper and setting the pillow out to dry. One last look at Janie, who sat where he’d left her, looking a little lost and confused, and he sprinted back downstairs.

Within ten minutes he was back with hot tea, soup, and crackers. Thankfully, Janie was still sitting up, but she was nodding off. He set the tray of food on the nightstand.

“Janie, sweetie.”

She lifted her head. “Hi, Cole, can I go to sleep now?”

“Soon.” He could see the fine tremors still racking her body as more thunder and lightning hit. The lights flickered. Damn. With quick strides, he pulled out the battery-powered lanterns he kept in the closet, along with several blankets and extra pillows. If the power failed, they were in for a long night.

Cole grabbed the straight-backed chair in the corner and carried it over to the bed, placing it beside the bed before taking a seat. Then he picked up the cup of tea and held it to Janie’s lips. “Drink.” She sipped at the tea. When she had drunk half the cup, he put it back on the tray and picked up the soup bowl.

“I’m not hungry.” Janie shook her head and then moaned.

“What is it?”

“Headache.”

“Did you hit your head?” Cole began running concussion protocol through his head. When Cole had first become a Dom, his father had made him take extensive first-aid courses, and Cole did refresher courses every year.

“No. I’m so tired.”

“I know, but you need to eat, Janie. It will make you feel better.” He picked up the spoon, dipped it in the soup, and brought it to her lips. She opened her mouth and allowed him to feed her.

“Yummy, chicken noodle.”

“The cure for everything,” he whispered, feeding her more.

After several bites, she shook her head. “I can’t eat anymore.”

Cole set the bowl down and then carefully placed the tray on the floor, but left the crackers and a bottle of water on the nightstand.

“Can I sleep now?” she asked him.

He glanced at her, and his heart clenched. Her green eyes were bright, and her color was a bit better, but it was the pure trust on her face that humbled him.

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