“It’s f-fine,” he mumbles. “It doesn’t count. Legally speaking, cuddling with someone you hate is fine in emergency s-situations.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“What happens in a snowstorm, stays i-in a s-snowstorm.”
“Fine. Whatever.” I hesitate, then add, “Though next time, if you’re going to Buffalo in December, fucking pack for Buffalo in December. And don’t go on a goddamn work trip if you’re feeling under the weather. Do you understand?”
He lets out a soft wheeze. Then, he mutters, “Understood, Daddy.”
I suck in a breath and go completely rigid.
He must feel it because he lifts his head to look at me. Ellis blinks at me.
“Oh, Dee.” He giggles.Giggles.“T-that’s interesting. I should have known. Sorry I didn’t k-know when we slept together. Do you like being called Da—hey!”
I grab my pillow and press it against his face, and he flails his arms as his laughter’s muffled against it. I grunt and take my pillow back. Ellis lies on his side, his auburn hair falling across his face, and gives me a wide grin I can’t read.
As much as it physically pains me because I know he’s going to say something to set me off again, I have no choice. “What are you smiling about?”
“You. I’m smiling at you. You’re so fucking cute.” Ellis grabs my hand and puts it against his cheek, and my entire being stills. “Don’t read into this, Dee. I need your warmth.”
There’s a softness in his gaze that makes my heart rattle in my chest. I can’t even begin to comprehend it, but because maybe the universe is finally on my side, he relaxes and closes his eyes. I feel him move against my hand, and I instinctively curl my hand around his cheek, ignoring how my brain is raging for me to not let go of his face. I fight the urge to slide my hand down to his neck, to wrap my fingers around his throat and feel him swallow underneath my palm.
The urge is so strong it’s painful.
I settle my hand on his hip instead, only because there’s no other place to put it considering the position we’re in. I have noother choice. And when Ellis tilts his chin down and places his forehead on my chest, I’m just thankful I don’t have to look into those eyes anymore.
I wait for him to drift off to sleep then slowly untangle myself from him. Sighing, I grab my phone and set a timer for thirty minutes so I can check to make sure he’s not worse by then.
And if I maybe spend a minute or so watching his sleeping face, it’s only because I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ellis Donlan, the agency’s golden boy and piranha, this vulnerable before.
5
Ellis
“Eat and hydrate,” Damon orders. He unceremoniously hands me a plate with a plain bagel and sliced apples. On the bedside table, he places a glass of water.
I give him a look of disgust. “This is the most tasteless looking meal I’ve ever seen.”
“Tough luck. You need to eat.”
“You know what? I’ll head down to the breakfast buffet myself.”
“Suit yourself.”
That’s right. I will suit myself. I stick my tongue out at him. Throwing the comforter aside, I get up on my feet—only to immediately feel woozy and sit back down.
He smirks at me.
“My head feels like it’s full of cotton,” I grumble.
Damon’s face falls. His eyebrows furrow together and he chews on his cheek. The way he’s treating me as if I’m fragile should irritate me, but… it doesn’t. He didn’t believe me andcalled me overdramatic last night, but he came around. I can’t remember much of last night, my memory coming in bits and pieces, but I do remember him giving me his sweater—which, okay, I’m still wearing—and I remember him giving me medicine.
He even let me get close enough to keep his body heat hostage, and I can’t tell for sure if it was reality or hallucinations, but I think I woke up once or twice to him checking up on me.
I’ve always been sickly, and I’ve always been left to fend for myself. Growing up, Mom and Dad were way too busy arguing about stupid shit that doesn’t matter to ever help me. Even when I fainted in high school one day and was sent home, I had to listen to them scream at each other and blame each other for not noticing I was under the weather that morning. Burning up, I had to crawl out of my bed, searching for medicine on my own.
Honestly, that day was probably the day I swore I’d never make the grand mistake of committing to someone. My parents were so downright miserable, and why would I ever subject myself to that shit?
