“Baby,” I said carefully, brushing a strand of hair away from her damp cheek,“doesn’t that happen every month?”
Her head snapped up so fast it nearly gave me whiplash.
She glared at me.
Then her expression crumpled all over again and fresh tears filled her eyes, making the green shimmer even brighter.
“What am I going to do for six days without sex?” she cried before dropping her head dramatically against my shoulder and dissolving into sobs again.
I held her close, rocking her slowly on my leg as if soothing a storm that had suddenly rolled in. I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, letting my hand rub slow circles along her back.
“Do you need anything?” I asked.
“Yes,” she muttered miserably.“Dick.”
I bit the inside of my lip hard to keep from laughing.
“I meant painkillers,” I said carefully.“Or a hot water bottle.”
She shook her head against my chest.
A long, heavy sigh followed.
“What about a nice back rub?” I said, unable to stop myself from teasing her.
Her head lifted again to scowl at me, but this time I couldn’t stop the grin spreading across my face.
“You can have my dick day or night,” I told her, brushing my lips gently over hers.“Blood or no blood, I don’t give a damn, Princess.”
Just like that, the misery vanished.
Her whole face lit up with a bright smile.
When she tried to shove me flat onto the bed, I held up a hand.
“Once all your things are in the bedroom and bathroom,” I added firmly.
“Woohoo!” she cheered.
She jumped off my lap with both hands thrown triumphantly into the air.
Then she did a little celebratory jig before rushing back toward the piles of clothing scattered around the room, scooping up armfuls and carrying them toward the wardrobe like a woman on a mission.
I leaned back slightly, watching her bounce around the room.
Her entire being seemed to hum with energy again.
That was the Stella I wanted.
Always content.
Always safe.
Chapter 19
Stella
When Maddox called me into his office, I didn’t expect him to be sitting on my spot on the leather couch.
