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I wake up amidst tangled sheets to a raging pain in my lower abdomen, twisting and clawing with a frothing, guttural rage.
I grit my teeth. I know where the pain medication is in Zayne’s apartment. I can picture the exact position in which it sits on the meticulously organised shelf.
But even the mere thought of moving is agonising, another sharp pain twisting deep within me and grabbing on tight.
“Zayne?” I whimper.
His eyes snap open. I wonder if he was actually asleep, or if a part of him is always keeping watch, just in case.
The thought of the latter makes my heart ache.
His expression immediately shifts. “What’s wrong?” he asks, his gaze suddenly alert and worried. “Are you hurt?”
I hiss, jerking my head. “Cramps.”
He’s up in an instant. “Don’t move,” he says.
I squeeze my eyes shut and nod, my arms clamped tight around my body. He hurries out of the room, footsteps pattering, and I soon hear the sounds of the kettle turning on and the cupboards being rummaged through.
A minute later, the mattress dips beside me. “Here,” Zayne says. “Take these.”
I look up and see him kneeling over me, several pills in one hand and a glass of water in the other.
I reach for them. “Prescribed by my doctor?”
A faint smile. “Of course.” He leans down and presses a gentle kiss to my temple. “I’ll be right back with the hot water bottle. I just need to check the bathroom supplies first.” A pause. “Do you need to change?”
I shake my head. “Zee?”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“Because of my profession or my shining personality?”
“Both.”
A faint chuckle, and another kiss - this time to the corner of mouth. “I’m glad, too,” he whispers.
A few minutes later, Zayne returns with a hot water bottle held gingerly in his hands.
“It might be a little hot,” he tells me. “Check the temperature first.”
I tentatively reach out, but the moment I touch it, I find myself helplessly seizing it from his grasp. I clamp it against my abdomen, sighing heavily in relief. “This … is perfect.”
“Are you sure? I can grab a towel -”
“Zayne. You know how hot I take my showers.”
“Unfortunately.” Zayne lifts the covers and slides back into bed beside me. “I’m fearing for my life against third degree burns whenever you invite me to join you.”
I pout. “Surely that’s not the only thing you’re thinking about.”
“You’re right.” He smiles teasingly. “I’m wondering how a little lava monster snuck her way into my home.”
“Lava monster?!”
I roll over, huffing dramatically - but I can barely hide my smile at Zayne’s laughter from behind me.
Zayne leans over my shoulder and kisses me. “But she’s all mine,” he whispers. “And she’s beautiful. Even when I can’t see her through the wall of steam, I can still feel her.”
Heat rushes to my face. Glancing back, I playfully tap his nose. “Save your smooth talking for when this mess is over with.”
“Are you saying you can’t resist me?”
His gaze shines with laughter, and I roll my eyes. “And what -”
Another sharp stab of pain hits me. I grit my teeth, clutching my hot water bottle tighter.
“Here,” Zayne says worriedly, the mirth gone from his voice; I already miss it. “Allow me.”
His arm slides over my side, gripping the bottle and holding it to my abdomen. I exhale quietly, stretching my hand.
“I hope that will help,” Zayne says, pressing a soft kiss to my neck. “I just wish there were more solutions.”
I shake my head. “This is enough for now. I just wish this wasn’t so embarrassing.”
“Nonsense. Your cycle is a natural part of life. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
A few moments of quiet pass. “I know you’re a doctor, but I didn’t expect you to be so prepared,” I admit.
“Considering how much time we spend together, the odds of this happening were fairly high.” Zayne raises an eyebrow. “Besides, what sort of doctor would I be if I didn’t have a well-rounded understanding of those under my care?”
I pout, teasingly glaring at him over my shoulder. “Do you treat all your patients like this?”
“Oh dear. It seems I’ve upset my most important client. I may have to compensate her in some way.”
“I’m pretty sure favouritism is frowned upon in your line of work.”
A laugh bursts from Zayne’s mouth. “A doctor mustn’t show any bias,” he agrees, “however … I’m prepared to break the rules just for you.”
I lightly tap his nose. “You’re such a rebel, Doctor Zayne.”
A delightful smile still gracing his features, Zayne pulls me in for a kiss, but freezes the moment I wince.
“Is your lower back sore?” he asks, watching me carefully. “Would you like a massage?”
Nodding, I roll sideways again, lying as much on my stomach as I can without crushing the hot water bottle.
Gentle hands begin to press against my skin, steadily soothing the area. I close my eyes and let myself be lulled into spaces between sleep and reality, drifting into a hazy stillness as the medicine begins to take effect.
Eventually, Zayne settles. “Are you still awake?”
“Mhmm.”
“Barely. That’s good.”
I roll over to look at him. His dark eyes stare into mine, gentle and patient.
“If I could somehow take away your pain, I would in an instant,” he says softly. He reaches for my hand and lifts it to his lips, pressing a kiss to my fingers. “Please, let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help.”
I squint at him sleepily. “I thought you said there weren’t any more solutions?”
“Not quite.” Zayne squeezes my hand. “I said I wished there were more, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. Physical … emotional …”
With each word, he presses another delicate kiss to my skin, making me sigh.
“Mental …” He playfully quirks an eyebrow. “Sexual …”
I swat at him lazily, fighting not to smile. “Well, it’s a good thing I have Doctor Zayne here then.”
His eyes warm, Zayne shakes his head. He cups my face and gently brushes his thumb across my cheek. “Right now,” he whispers, “I’m just Zayne, who is looking after his girlfriend because he cares about her and is worried for her.”
“It’s just a period. I can deal with it.”
“You shouldn’t have to, though.”
There’s a small dent in his brow, and I reach up and run my fingers over it; his expression quickly softens.
“What else do you need?” Zayne asks. “You have that look in your eyes.”
I hesitate, but only for a moment.
“I want to hug you,” I say pathetically. I glance down at the hot water bottle. “But … if it’s too warm for you …”
His eyes soften. “Nonsense.” His hand slides over my ribs to my back, gently pulling me forward into his embrace. “A little bit of defrosting won’t hurt me. Perhaps it will thaw this frozen heart of mine.”
I can hear the smile in his voice, and find the corners of my own mouth pulling upwards as I bury my face in his chest.
“You don’t need to,” I whisper. “It already is.”
His strong arms wrap around me, safe and protective. “Get some rest,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I’ll be here if you need me.”
But there’s still a little distance between us, the burning heat creating a barrier. Grumbling under my breath, I ignore Zayne’s noise of confusion and roll over again, pressing my back against him. “There,” I mumble. “Better.”
He gives a light, fond laugh. “Lift your head.”
I do as instructed, and Zayne’s arm slides underneath, his other curling around my torso and holding me close, his fingers intertwining with mine where my hand rests on top of the hot water bottle.
Finally, I relax.
“I’ll be here,” he says again. He plants another gentle kiss to the nape of my neck. “Get some sleep.”
“Zayne?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I call you every month?”
Zayne chuckles. “You can call me every day. Every hour, if you so wish.”
“You know what I mean.”
Squeezing my hand, Zayne nuzzles his nose against my shoulder. “Of course you can. I’ll be expecting it from now on.”
“Good.” I yawn, snuggling into him. “Because you’re the best medicine I have.”
There’s a pause, and when he finally responds, I can hear the smile in his words.
“I’m glad.”