Page 200 of Fame & Chaos

“Depends. Try me.”

The door clicks open, and we walk into my messy living room.

“You come to bed with me.”

She laughs and lightly taps my chest. “Caleb, I think someone needs to clean this house before we both catch some unknown disease. So I’m going to do that first, then I’ll come lie with you, okay?”

“I should get the bags,” I say, turning slightly.

She grabs me and turns me right back toward the bedroom. Tiny but terrifyingly strong when she wants to be.

“Nope. I’ll get them. I’m your maid, your nurse, your cook, your personal assistant—”

“What about my girlfriend?” I ask.

She smiles as we reach the side of my bed. Carefully, she spins me around and lowers me onto the mattress. “Most importantly, I’m your girlfriend. Now let me undress you and get you comfortable, then I’ll join you in a bit.” She reaches for my hoodie and starts tugging it over my head.

“Can I undress you?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

“Behave, Caleb. No sex for quite a while. We don’t want you straining the muscles around your wound because trust me, sex would definitely do that.”

I frown dramatically while she bends down and removes my shoes.

“So when you say abstinence, Nurse Indi, exactly how long are we talking?”

“A long time, Caleb.”

I huff and drag my fingers through my hair. “So what? Like four days?”

Indi bursts out laughing while she carefully lifts my legs onto the bed. Pain tears through my left side, and I grit my teeth.

“No, Caleb, we’re talking weeks. You won’t be fully healed for at least six weeks, babe. I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to accept that we won’t be sleeping together for a while, no matter how much we want to.”

I pout, and she smiles, leaning in to kiss my bottom lip. “You’re cute when you pout,” she murmurs. “Now lean back.” She fluffs the pillows behind me, and I slowly lower myself down.

“Argh,” I groan.

Indi screws up her face sympathetically before pulling the blankets over me and tucking me in. “I’m sorry you’re hurting, but I’ve got all your medications, and I’ll make sure you stay on top of them. I want to make you as comfortable as possible.”

“Thanks, baby. I’m really glad I’ve got you looking after me.”

“Yes, you are,” she says with a grin. “Now get some rest while I clean up and bring the bags in. Then I’ll come cuddle you.”

“Thanks, Ind. I really appreciate you taking time off work for me.”

“I’ve got heaps of leave saved up anyway. Plus…” She shrugs slightly. “I think we really need this time together. If the hospital needs me for an emergency, they can call. I’ll get Chad or Hux to watch you. But I want to be here for you… for us. I think we’re important right now, and honestly, while you’re temporarily an invalid, I can get my own way.” I smirk at her. “Right, first things first, I’m getting your bags and your pain meds. You don’t fool me, rock star. I can see you’re hurting.”

I sigh. “Sorry. I just wanted to be brave for you.”

Her expression instantly softens, and she brushes her fingers along my cheek. “Babe, admitting when you’re in pain is brave. That’s what makes you a real man. Let me help you, okay?”

I nod.

She smiles, kisses me softly, then presses another tender kiss to my forehead. God, I love kissing her. It feels so natural and so damn right.

“Right, I’m off. Sleep,” she orders playfully before leaving the room and quietly shutting the door behind her.

I smile to myself, wondering for the millionth time how the hell I managed to get her back. I’m one lucky son of a bitch, and there’s no way I’m ever letting her go again.