Page 246 of Masters of Control

She also needed both of them to leave because she doubted they’d let her go on her date with Asad when they were convinced she was in no shape to be moving from the couch. She’d done a lot more while feeling much worse. She’d taken care of herself while feeling much worse. Richard hadn’t tolerated sickness, and whenever she’d gotten really sick, he’d put her in another room until she was better.

All this hovering was making her uncomfortable.

“Kincaid’s out. He’s got too much going on. Maybe Zach?” Mitch scrubbed his hand against the back of his neck.

Morgan sighed again.

The doorbell rang.

“I’ve got it,” Brian said as she sat up straight, pointing a threatening finger at her. “Don’t you dare move.”

If he had his way, she’d be stuck on the couch forever, but she didn’t move. She was already making things harder for him. She didn’t want to make him mad on top of that. Hands on his hips, Mitch was looking down at her, but not as if he was really seeing her, more like he was doing some kind of calculation in his head.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Brian asked in surprise from the doorway, causing Morgan and Mitch to look up. She peered over the back of the couch, but the door was blocking her view of whoever was there.

“You texted me that Morgan was sick… where else would I be?” Asad pushed past Brian, his arms filled with grocery bags. Morgan’s mouth dropped open as her heart sank.

Dammit! Brian had told on her.

Now she’d made his life harder, and Asad was going to be disappointed. Morgan moaned and dropped her head against her knees.

Suddenly, she had three Doms crowding around her, asking what was wrong. She hugged her legs, hiding her face and trying to stifle her sniffle because she didn’t know how to tell them that they were what was wrong.

“Just go!” Those were the only two words she could get out, directed at Brian.

“Is she talking to me?” Asad sounded bewildered and hurt, and Morgan’s breath caught in her throat. Thankfully, Brian knew exactly who she’d been talking to.

“No, she’s talking to me, I’m supposed to be headed out on a work trip, and I was supposed to leave about fifteen minutes ago, but…”

“Then go. I’ve got this.” Strong arms suddenly wrapped around her, pulling her back onto a lap. She recognized the smell of Asad’s cologne the moment he pulled her against him, subtle but spicy and incredibly comforting at that moment. “I’ll text you updates.”

“I… okay.” Brian took a deep breath. “Okay. Mitch can’t stay either.”

“That’s fine. Like I said, I’ve got this.” Asad stroked her arm, tucking her head under his chin as a little shiver went through her. She wasn’t sure if it was from the fever or because she was trying so hard not to cry. She’d ruined their night, and he was being so nice about it.

“Alright. Keep me updated. Bye, Morgan. I hope you’re feeling better soon. Listen to Master Asad.”

She felt herself being shifted on Asad’s lap so Brian could drop a kiss on the top of her head.

“Bye,” she managed to choke out, though she didn’t lift her head. She wanted to crawl under the blanket and never come out. Unfortunately, she doubted that was an option. She would call Brian later and talk to him and apologize for making him so late. And then chew him out for texting Asad.

She heard the front door opening and closing again because Brian was in such a rush now that he was so late. Closing her eyes, she did her best not to cry while Mitch updated Asad on her symptoms, what he’d already done, and when she could have more medicine. Asad asked some questions, stroking her arm the whole time.

At least he didn’t seem angry that she was sick and had ruined their night… but maybe he figured she’d be feeling better with the medicine, and they could still go do it.

“I didn’t see any spots in her throat, so I’m not too worried about strep, but keep an eye on it, especially if her fever keeps coming back,” Mitch instructed. Most of the time he was a fun, funny guy who never stopped smiling, a lot like Asad, but right now, he was in Nurse Mitch mode and was all business. “If she’s still running a fever over 101 degrees tomorrow morning, without the fever reducer, take her in to the doctor.”

“Got it. Thank you.” Asad’s arms tightened around her.

“No problem. Let me know if you need anything else.” Another soft kiss on her head. “Bye, Morgan.”

“Bye.”

Then it was just her and Asad. Morgan slumped in his arms, everything that had been holding her together draining away in a moment.

“Hey, Red, how are you feeling?” he asked, shifting her on his lap again, pushing her away enough that she could tell he was trying to get a good look at her.

“I’m sorry!” she blurted out as he met her gaze. He was wearing his work clothes, and she was in one of his t-shirts and a pair of yoga pants.