4. Lawson

FOUR

"Motherfucker," I whisper into Juniper's bedroom once she's finally settled down from her trip to the bathroom. It took all I had not to bundle her up in my truck and take her to the hospital. The only thing stopping me is the spitfire who can put me in my place. She didn't look like she'd be up for a fight. One look, and I knew to shut my mouth and stay in my lane. Luckily, once she took care of herself, I did some quick thinking, grabbing the crackers and making her two different drinks, unsure of which she prefers.

"Lawson," she says so low, I almost think I'm hearing shit. Juniper is back in bed, hands above her head, and it has me thinking about what it would be like to have her exactly how she is. Minus being sick. I'd sink between her spread thighs, keep her exactly as she is, and bracket her wrists in one hand while I kiss every bare inch of her body. A flashback of sorts hits me, but I'm not sure when or where it happened. My lips on her neck, breathing her in before getting the slightest taste of her skin.

"Right here, baby. I'm right here." Juniper opens her eyes. She looks confused as hell, and I'm betting it's because her body is in starvation mode. "I'm going to need you to take a couple of bites and a few sips. As long as you keep that down, I won't push our earlier conversation."

She must be too tired to argue this time around. I watch as she lifts herself up. The white tank she's wearing shows off her pale pink nipples. My mouth waters at the thought of taking them in my mouth, getting a taste of her sweetness, and seeing how her body reacts to me.

"Fine."

I hand her a cracker, noticing that she doesn't so much as graze the tips of my fingers. My lips tilt upward in a grin. Juniper is so damn stubborn and has no problem giving me shit for my attitude. If only I could get her to realize she'll be mine sooner rather than later.

"Which one, Sprite or ginger ale?" I didn't bother with the Gatorade Mom packed as well. The way she was feeling, carbonation would be better for her than the other.

"Sprite. Ginger ale is gross." She sounds exasperated from moving and talking, so I hand her the cup she wants. I wasn't sure how stable Juni would be after this last round in the bathroom, so I found a couple of travel mugs, filled them with ice, and added a straw.

"I'm gonna stay here for a while," I press my luck, not caring what she thinks or the fuss she's willing to put up.

"Lawson." There she goes again, saying my name softly and breathlessly.

"Not happening, baby. You either get me or the hospital, your choice."

Juniper might hold back her words, but the expression on her face is telling a different story. This damn woman. She's had me by the balls from the first time I laid eyes on her. Strong, fierce, determined, and won't take anyone's shit. Least of all mine. I haven't been the best to her, and she lets me know every chance she gets. Mom will shake her head at my nonsense. Dad looks at me, raises an eyebrow yet remains quiet. I see the subtle nod he gives me anytime he passes by her office and I'm inside when she's bandaging someone up.

"Fine, but if you get sick, don't say I didn't warn you, and I won't hold your hair up either." Her hair is falling out of the contraption she has it in, chocolate brown hair that has a natural curl when loose. My eyes stay on her the entire time as she finishes her cracker. Damn, even when she's sicker than a dog, she's still beautiful. That smattering of freckles along her nose carrying to her cheeks, long lashes, breathtaking gray eyes that lure you in like a siren's song, and plush pink lips. After seeing Juni's nipples through her shirt, I can confirm they're the same shade. Soon, I'll know what else is the same pretty color.

"Are you worried about me, Juniper?" I settle in beside her, my hip meeting hers, sitting to her lying. She watches my every move, including when the tips of my fingers drag along the outside of her arm.

"Not likely. Suit yourself. I'm going back to sleep. Please tell your mom thank you, and I suppose I owe you a thanks, too." She closes her eyes, hand still holding the cup. Not wanting it to tip over and spill, causing another reason for Juni to get out of bed, I place it on the nightstand making sure not to make any sudden movements in case she turns nauseous again.

"Never a problem, Juni. Get some rest. I'll lock up when I leave."

"Mhmm," she murmurs, rolling over until she's on her stomach. How that's comfortable after tossing her cookies, I'll never know. I stay where I am, unwilling to leave her alone even when I should be hitting the barn. A ranch never sleeps. There's always something to do—an animal to feed, a fence to mend, or like today, books for me to catch up on. My hand moves to her back, sliding beneath her tank, feeling her warm skin against my work-roughened fingers. I figured she'd be batting me away or rolling over to yell at me. Instead, she lets out a little purr. Good to know she isn't recoiling from my touch even as sleep takes her under.

"Juni." I'm met with silence. She's out for the count, and as much as it tears at my insides to pull away from her, I do. Damn, but I'd love nothing more than to climb in bed beside her, hold her in my arms, and not worry about a single fucking thing. I slowly take my hand away. Juni doesn't move. If there's anything else I can do while I'm here, it's to help her out. Juniper doesn't keep a dirty anything. Her place at work is immaculate, and I've seen her on her hands and knees scrubbing the corners. It was hot as hell to watch the show. The woman can fill out a pair of jeans like no other. Her ass in the air always has me ready to drop to my knees and beg for a whole lot more. The minute she saw me watching, she threw a rag my way. Luckily, I've got good reflexes and ran out the door. She hollered saying watching wasn't going to get it done and the least I could do was offer to help.

Now, it's my turn to help. I couldn't help but notice the state of her place, and Juni is not someone who takes clutter or mess lightly. The least I can do is wash the dishes, pick up around the house, and clean the bathroom. I'm sure she will be pissed as a wet hen on that last part, but she'll have to fucking deal with it. What's she going to do? Ignore me more than she already has? I stand up from the bed, being careful not to jostle her, ready to tackle what I can while she sleeps.