Chapter 20
Avidya
I found myself laying atop Zachariah’s chest, his heart beating against my ear as he breathed in and out. I think he was asleep, but it was hard to tell with my eyes still closed, basking in the moment. He stayed, even though I expected him to slip away after I fell asleep.
One hand was tangled in my hair at the nape of my neck, almost like he was holding me to him so I didn’t run away. I wouldn’t have noticed, as whatever he had given me clearly knocked me out for the count. He could have taken advantage of me, and I wouldn’t have known any wiser.
I knew I should be running, but I didn’t want to. Zachariah made me feel things that I have never felt before. He made me question myself, too.
I knew he was not one of the nice guys; he could be deadly if needed to be. He treated me better than anyone else ever had so far. I wasn’t sure why, but I wasn’t going to question it. For now, I’d just enjoy the kindness he showed.
I must have dozed back off, as I jumped awake as his cell phone began to ring through the room. I was laying almost all the way on him, my legs tangled between his. I could feel his cock hard against my knee, but he made no move to do anything about it either way.
“Sorry,” he muttered to me before answering his phone. His hand went back to my hair, nearly luring me back to sleep as he listened to whoever had called. I had expected him to leave to take the phone call somewhere more private.
“Yes. . . . No, of course not! . . Maybe . . . Don’t, please. I can handle it . . . . fine,” the last word was spoken on a sigh like he had given in. “Give me half an hour.” Then he hung up, letting his hand flop down on the bed beside him.
“Do I need to move?” I asked out, my voice husky from sleep.
“I don’t want you to,” was his answer. “I quite enjoy you here, using me a pillow.”
“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not,” I said, smirking. I lifted my face to see his better.
“I may just have you sleep with me every night. Screw waiting,” he said, wrapping both arms around me, being mindful that I was still sore.
I was okay unless I moved. Right now, I didn’t want to move from his hold. He made me feel safe. Protected from the world.
“My sister-in-law is coming by in a few,” Zachariah sighed out. “She never takes ‘no’ for an answer.”
“Okay,” I said, but still didn’t move. I was afraid to move, knowing that pain would follow. I could feel my own heart beat in all my bruises.
“I forgot to warn you,” he grimaced. “The pain med I gave you can cause nausea.”
“Now you tell me,” I joked, rolling my eyes at him. I felt perfectly fine, other than the slight pain. “I’ll be okay.” I then pressed a light kiss to the underside of his chin, feeling the hair against my lips.
“There’s a trash can on the side of the bed. It won’t hit till you sit or stand up,” he said in a way of apology. “I don’t know what your mom gave you, and I didn’t want to make you overdose,” he trailed off.
“You worry too much,” I yawned.
“I have had experience with that med,” he said. “But yes, I’ll always worry about you.”
Kissing his chest, I pushed my way from him and rolling over so I could swing my legs over the side. If he was to have company, I should at least brush my hair.
Once I was sitting, I only felt slightly dizzy, and nothing at all that I couldn’t handle. I could feel Zachariah’s eyes on me. I was going to prove him wrong.
Well, I had planned to prove him wrong until I stood, and my stomach did somersaults. I couldn’t have been more pleased that the trash can was just in reach as I fell down into a sitting position on the floor as I heaved.
Zachariah was quick to kneel down beside me, holding my hair back from my face as everything and possibly more, came up and out.
It was worse than being sick with the flu! I couldn’t believe he thought that giving me anything like this was okay at all, even it if helped the pain.Stupid man,I thought.
“I warned you,” he spoke after I quit gagging, spitting out the taste as much as I could.
“Shut up,” I mumbled before groaning. The pain in my ribs only ignited more as I threw up.
“Well . . .” he trailed off. If I had had enough energy, I would have smacked him. Just the thought made me tired. “Are you okay to stand?”
“I think so,” I answered, feeling like I was even more tired as the seconds passed. “It hurts.”
