Concern flared through my exhaustion. “Are you okay? I should have checked on you more. Did I miss something during aftercare?”
“No, you were perfect.”
We had pushed her hard that night. Multiple intense scenes in a short period. She probably needed more rest. However, something was off, but I couldn’t see to connect the dots. I didn’t know if I was still waking up or if I needed to go back to bed because I still felt tired. It was almost as if I hadn’t gotten any sleep.
“We can talk about it more when I’m more alert,” I said.
“Thank you.” She stood and started clearing plates. “I think I’m going to go to bed early. I’m exhausted.”
“Want company?” Majesty offered.
“No, it’s okay. You two probably have work stuff to catch up on.” She kissed his cheek, then mine. “Goodnight.”
She disappeared upstairs, and Majesty and I looked at each other.
“She seems off,” I said.
“She’s tired. We’ve all been pushing hard.” Majesty rubbed his face. “We should probably take a break after observation week. Actual time off. Just the three of us. I don’t know what her plans are for the week that she goes back, but if she can handle a mini vacation, she’s more than earned it.”
“Good idea.”
I should have gone upstairs because my eyes wanted to close so badly, but the blinking light on my computer caught my attention. More emails. More work that needed done.
“I should answer a few of these,” I said, already reaching for it.
“Don’t stay up too late,” Majesty said, standing. “You need actual rest, not just a nap.”
“I won’t.”
But even as I said it, I was opening my email. Scanning through messages. Prioritizing responses. There was more emails than normal with people submitting questions to the online forum from the recorded classes. There were messages asking about the times for the rest of observation week.
I wanted to go upstairs and cuddle with Cami and Majesty, but this stuff needed to be handled first. I gave it a solid two hours of attention before I felt myself nod off. I closed my laptop immediately and climbed the steps. Stumbling into my room, I fell back into bed and my eyes closed before any other thought registered.
Cami…
I fought to open my eyes, but they wouldn’t budge. Everything felt heavy, but I wanted to cuddle. Needed to feel her next to me.
“Cami…” I called out to her, hoping she’d hear.
I waited…
The silence pulled me under and as I dreamed, I still waited for her to hear me.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Cami
I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that submissive touching Lex’s arm. Heard Iris’s words. Felt the emptiness of sleeping alone. When morning came, I couldn’t make myself get out of bed. My phone buzzed with a text from Lex.
Lex:
Breakfast in 20. See you downstairs?
Me:
I have some work stuff I need to handle today. Can I skip observations? I’ll catch up tomorrow.
Lex:
