Chapter 69
Richie woke early, his arms wrapped around Jesse holding her close. He looked down at her hand resting on his chest and felt her leg draped across his. They had made love, several times, after arriving back at the hotel. She had been so hungry for him and he’d needed her. How had she taken possession of his soul so easily, so quickly?
Taking her hand, he placed a kiss in her palm and she stirred, her hand moving to his cheek.
“Mmmm,” she mumbled.
“Good morning, baby,” he whispered. “How do you feel?”
“Loved!”
Hugging her to him, he kissed her forehead, “Wanna feel loved some more?”
“Not this morning. I’m also feeling run down.”
“Okay.”
“What time is the beach party?”
“Two.”
Jesse looked up at him. “Do you mind if I skip brunch with your mother and sleep?”
“No, that’s fine with me baby. I’m going to give her a call, then get a shower.”
“Mmmm, I’m going to miss you.”
Richie ran his fingers along her arm. “I’m going to miss you too but you need your rest and I need some time with Mama.”
“Come back and get me?”
“Of course. Got to have my arm candy,” teased Richie.
“All I am is arm candy?” pouted Jesse looking up at him.
Richie rolled her onto her back covering her with his own body. “You are my best friend, you are my lover, you are MINE and I love you!! You know you’re more than that to me.”
Jesse ran her fingers through his hair, “Of course I know….I just wanted you to do this!”
Framing her face with his hands, Richie looked into her eyes and realized just how bad she was feeling. He put a hand on her forehead to discover she was running a fever again. “Go back to sleep, Jessica,” he said tenderly as he carefully moved off of her and stood up.
Jesse rolled onto her side and pulled his pillow to her. “Would you get me a couple of Tylenol, please?”
“Sure, baby,” he answered pulling the covers over her.
Jesse just smiled and watched as he pulled on a pair of shorts then headed to the bathroom. When he came back, she sat up and took the pills he handed her.
“Need anything else?”
“Some clothes…I’m cold.”
Richie reached to the end of the bed to get his shirt and handed it to her. Once she had it on, she slid back under the covers and Richie tucked them around her.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he reached out to brush her hair back. “Need anything else?”
“I’m okay now. Thanks.”
“I’m going to go in the other room to call mama.”
Grabbing his hand, Jesse whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“Ah, baby, you haven’t done anything wrong.” He leaned over to give her a kiss and said, “Go to sleep. I’ll let you know before I leave.”
Going out to the living room, Richie found Jon pouring a cup of coffee. “You’re up early. What time did you get back?”
“About an hour after you guys left. I’m not surprised you didn’t hear me come in. Sounded like you two had a good night,” smirked Jon.
Richie smiled, “Yeah.”
“How’s Jess?”
“Running a fever again,” answered Richie as his smile disappeared. He picked up the phone and dialed his mom’s room.
“Want a cup?” offered Jon.
Richie nodded ‘yes’ as he said, “Good morning, mama…..she’s still sleeping. How about some breakfast?....Are you sure? We could eat here….She’s going to sleep most of the morning…Thanks, Mama…..I love you too…..Give me about thirty minutes. I need to get a shower.”
“What’s up?” asked Jon as Richie hung up.
“Mama told me to go out with you to breakfast. She’s going to stay here with Jesse.”
“Weren’t you supposed to have breakfast with your mom?”
“Yeah, Jesse and I were but I guess with Jess asleep, Mama decided to change the plans.”
“Meet you out here when you’re ready.”
Richie went back to his bedroom to find Jesse was already asleep. Standing beside the bed, he reached down and ran his fingers lightly across her cheek.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered softly.
