Page 78 of Unexpected Complication

“I barfed on it and flushed it by accident. I don’t think it survived.”

My mouth twitched, and for the first time in days, I laughed. Big belly laughs that brought tears to my eyes. Only Kitten. Only my Kitten would knock a tiny, disposable cell phone into a toilet, throw up on it, and flush it.

I needed that laugh—I needed her.

I kissed her warm forehead. “Oh, Kitten.” I cupped her cheek. “I’ve been so worried.”

“Were you driving Sean mad?”

“Kinda.”

“Sorry.” She hesitated. “How long?”

I knew what she was asking. “Just a short time. He let me go so I could check on you.”

“Okay.”

“What do you need, baby?”

“You.”

“You have me. How about a bath, fresh sheets, and some soup?”

“That sounds good. Can you stay—for a little bit?”

“I can. A few hours anyway.”

Sean could cover for an extra hour. I didn’t care. Skylar was sick and she needed me. I’d give her as much time as I could.

He could take a swing at me when I got back. I’d let him.

Chapter 18

Cian

I tucked Skylar back into bed—fever-free, clean, and exhausted. I sat beside her, spooning soup into her mouth, taking the occasional mouthful myself.

“You’ll get sick, fuckwit.”

“Nah. I’m good. Immune system like bars of steel.” I stole another wonton, chewing and swallowing as she shook her head, rolling her eyes.

“Rusty bars,” she snorted.

I glared at her. “You accused me of infecting you, so how could I get sick?”

“Your body is used to your own cooties. They’ll get you soon enough.” She sniffed. “I didn’t stand a chance.”

I set down the soup and shifted so I was hovering over her. “My cooties too strong for you, Skylar?”

“Yes.”

I kissed the corner of her mouth, dragging my lips to her ear. “You don’t like my cooties?” I bit down gently on her earlobe. “My cooties like you—very much.”

She shivered. “I didn’t say that.”

I chuckled against her skin, cupping her cheek and kissing her tenderly. “I’m sorry you’ve been so sick.”

“I’m sorry I flushed my cell phone and made you worry.”