He wrapped his arms around me but I giggled.
“Three fruity drinks.” I think that’s what I said, at least that’s what I thought I said.”You’re drunk,” Ive growled and then turned to Hubert.
I don’t know what was said between them, but I closed my eyes.
“Can I have anotherdrink? I can’t get drunk on a fruity drink.”
I saw the confusion in Ive’s eyes, and I had to wonder if my words were coming outthe way I said them.
“I’m taking her home before I have to take her to the goddamn hospital to get her stomach pumped.”
ThisI found hilarious. I had never been drunk in my life, but the world was spinning so well. Ive had no choice because for some odd reason, my legs were refusing to work. He lifted me off my feet, and I was flying away.
Hubert brought thecar around and Ive helped me into the back. I don’t know what happened between the nightclub and getting into the back of the car, but that happy floating feeling turned, instantly.
“Stop the car,” Ive said.
My hair was pulled back as Ive opened the car, but he moved me into position, and some of the fruity drink spilled out onto the sidewalk as I vomited. This wasn’t good. The fruity drink was indeed deadly. I felt sick to my stomach.
Hubert had no choice but to stop a couple of times. By the time we got to Ive’s building, I didn’t think it would be possible to be sick again. However, on the elevator ride, I tried to keep it in, but in the corner was some more sick. This was horrible. This was worse than getting a stomachache from eating too much candy. I felt so cold.
Ive got us into the penthouse suite, and he had me naked and in the shower. I hoped Hubert wasn’t around as he did this. When Ive wasn’t there, I collapsed to the bottom of the shower, and I knew nothing more was coming. I felt sick and rotten, and I hated it.
“I’m never drinking again,” I said as Ive stepped into the shower.
He held me up against his body and stripped down naked.
“We all say that.”
“I’ve never drank,”I said.
“I shouldn’t have given you a fruity cocktail,” he said.
“It tasted really nice, but not now.” I wrinkled my nose.
Ive managed to keep me uprightas he washed my body. My legs were so weak. I did help as best as I could.
I didn’t see the appealof drink. It was so gross.
He took care of my hair as well, washing the strands. I had a horrible feeling I might have gotten sick in my hair, but Ive took care of it. He washed me, and after the shower, he dried me and even got me changed into a negligee to put me to bed.”This was not how I imagined your first Halloween, but I think forthe next one, you and I can stay home and get hung over on candy.”
“I’d love that,” I said.
He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my lips.
“Stay with me?” I asked.
Ive nodded. He unwrapped the towel from around his waist and climbed into bed behind me. His large arms, wrapped around my stomach, pulled me against him, and I loved his touches. Snuggling against him, I breathed a happy sigh of relief.
Ive
Thanksgiving
I didn’t want to invite Ivan, but Charlotte had been insistent. My wife had a way of giving me those sweet eyes of hers that meant she got whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted.
She’d already asked if Cassie and Rage could join us for Thanksgiving. Both had accepted my invitation and I was waiting for Ivan to respond. I knew he changed his plans repeatedly over the years. I was not going to invite any of the other brigadiers.
Charlotte wanted Hubert and Vlad to be there. She had gotten to know my otherman quite well over the past few weeks.
For ourThanksgiving, we were not going to be at the penthouse, but home, at my country estate, where I knew she and Michael were already concocting plans. Michael had already asked if I had a problem with him doing not one but two turkeys, as if I cared how many he cooked. Charlotte had told me she wanted to make sure the whole staff got to enjoy the occasion as well. Her ability to care astounded me. I was convinced she didn’t have a vile bone in her body.
My cell phone rang as I was waiting for Charlotte to get ready to leave. We were heading back tomy country home today.
“Ivan,” I said.
“You called.”
“You know why.”
I smiled. I didn’t want Charlotte to get worried.
“Well, an invite would be nice.”
Ivanwas doing this on purpose, so I winked at Charlotte.
“Charlotte and I were wondering if you would like to spend Thanksgiving with us.”