liquids I’d just eaten, causing me to feel dirty all over again. My ribs throbbed all over again, my mouth reeked of foulness all over again .
I made my way back to the suite and stopped at the door in exhaustion from the commute. Azmir sensed my presence and quickly jotted from the sitting area to the en suite bathroom and started the shower process all over again , yet again reading my mind.
Once we were done, he carried me to the bed, but I explained that I didn’t want to spread my germs to our coveted resting place and I’d preferred sleeping on the floor, next to the bathroom instead. Azmir graciously made a huge pallet of plush blankets for me on the floor in the region of the master suite between the bed area and the bathroom. I didn’t need all the space, but didn’t question his kindness. I eventually learned the extra spot was for him when I felt him crawl under the sheet next to me when he came to bed. His kissed the back of my neck as he always did before falling asleep. I couldn’t understand how he was still able to express adoration after my disgusting illness today.
That night was spent in complete restlessness from me getting up a half a dozen times to visit the bathroom with the last being just before six in the morning when Azmir was up at his usual rising time. He helped me shower again and set me up on the sofa in the sitting room where I finally slept for nearly four hours and more restfully than I did that night before. My body was completely depleted from being internally overworked.
When I awoke, it was almost noon. I challenged myself to walk and discovered though I was still weak, my head didn’t spin, leaving me to find my equilibrium as the previous day. I slowly walked the hall in search of Azmir who was in his office working at his computer. I stopped and rested against the door frame. He had a pencil in his ear and writing with a pen in his hand while checking something against the computer. His head rose almost immediately, landing his beautiful eyes on me.
“You’re up.” His expression was like a deer caught in headlights. “How are you feeling?” I was so appreciative of his attentiveness to me over the past twenty-four hours or so.
I smiled softly. “I’ve seen better days.”
“I think it’s time for you to try to eat something…at least drink something. You look wan. Let’s try you on some broth…maybe with tofu or something with substance. I’ll call and order it from the Japanese spot.”
“Okay,” I nodded. I felt embarrassed and vulnerable. “Did I keep you from something?” I asked as he made his way towards me. “…like work?” I hated to be a bother.
With his eyebrows furrowed he scoffed, “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just glad this went down on my watch. I would’ve gone crazy knowing that you were here sick while I was out of town.” He reached for the small of my back and softly kissed my forehead.
“I just hate to be a burden and keep you from work or anything you had planned this weekend,” I muttered apologetically. It was true. I now, more than ever, understood how busy a man Azmir was. He was responsible for and depended on by countless people.
He looked me in my eyes. “You were my weekend agenda. You are always my weekend agenda, Rayna, unless you plan otherwise.” He was annoyed, according to his tone.
He strolled to the kitchen. Did I manage to piss him off again? I followed him at a reserved pace and crawled into a chair at the kitchen table and watched as he placed the order for the resident concierge to pick up and deliver it to our door.
The broth was gentle on my stomach and I could assess that the virus was easing up on me. We spent that Sunday relaxing, watching television, and Azmir got some work in. My trips to the bathroom came to a halt that afternoon. I even felt up for a walk on the marina. It was a beautiful evening breeze out on the water. Azmir continued his quest to learn more about the woman I was