Page 64 of The Naughty or Nice Deal

I set the water down. “Well, why don’t we⁠—”

Her expression changes suddenly and she leaps out of bed with more energy than I would’ve thought possible, then dashes for the bathroom.

Oh, shit.

I hurry in after her just as she reaches the toilet, and I quickly hold her hair back as she vomits. Poor thing is shaking. I wish I had a washcloth to cool her forehead, but I don’t want to leave her side. I stay where I am and just keep her hair out of her face.

After a minute, she pulls back, still looking shaky. “Sorry,” she stammers.

“Don’t apologize.” I help her to her feet and get her the water from the bedroom. “It’s not like you could control it.”

“It’s just so embarrassing. This whole thing is embarrassing. I’m not supposed to be taking up attention and being sick like this. I’m supposed to be helping you.”

“You can’t prevent getting sick. It’s not like you chose this. Did throwing up at least help you feel better?”

“A bit, actually, yeah.” She seems to consider that. “My stomach feels more settled.”

“Good.” Sometimes you do need to purge whatever nasty bug is wreaking havoc inside you. “We’ll get you some more soup. Is there anything else you need?”

“Um.” Maeve thinks for a moment. “I usually just soak in the tub when I’m sick. I heat up canned chicken noodle soup—it’s not my favorite, I’m a total snob about it, but I just don’t always have the energy when I’m sick to make anything from scratch—and then I soak in hot water with the steam.”

Perfect. I start filling up the tub. “All right. Strip.”

“Um. Excuse me?”

“I don’t recommend getting into the bath fully clothed.” Once the water’s running hot, I put in the stopper so the tub fills.

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it. I’m not getting naked in the tub with you here.”

“Oh, please, it’s nothing I haven’t already seen.”

“Yes, yes, you’ve been with many women, all of them beautiful and charming and probably Victoria’s Secret models…”

“You’re feeling well enough to give me attitude, I see. And I meant when you told me to turn around yesterday, you positioned me right in front of the mirror, Spitfire.”

Maeve’s eyes go wide. It’s adorable. “Oh,” she says quietly.

As tempting as her beautiful, naked form is, that’s not where my focus is right now. I want her to get better. “I promise, I don’t have any ulterior motives.” For now. “I just want to help you feel better.”

She sighs. “The terrible thing is, I actually believe you.”

“You have so little faith in my character.” I wait until she strips, then hold out a hand so she can grab onto me for balance as she gets into the tub.

She really is beautiful. Generous curves, soft skin, and god, her breasts… but I’ve never done anything with a woman who wasn’t in the mood, and I don’t plan to break that streak now. And I’ve yet to meet anyone in the grip of the flu who was interested in sex.

Besides, that would be a disastrous idea for so many reasons.

Maeve lets out a sigh of contentment as she sinks into the water. “How’s your head?” I ask.

“Feels heavy. I think I’m still groggy. But okay.”

“Here.” I grab some shampoo and pour it into my palm. “Let me help.”

She’ll feel better with a proper scalp massage to ward off a headache. I can’t stop her from being sick, but I can make sure she’s as comfortable as possible and minimize the symptoms.

“Are you sure?” She eyes my soapy hand.

“I won’t bite. I promise.”