part0010

I watch Caleb for a minute before I wake him as he lays with his back to me. I can't resist admiring him while he gracefully rests, his handsome face at peace, his masculine figure moving in and out with each breath of air. You'd never think such a beautiful creature could be capable of the cruelty he's exhibited but what lies on the outside is only a disguise.

"Caleb wake up." I sit on the edge of the mattress shaking Caleb's shoulder prepared to deal with his darker persona that hides underneath.

Groggily he rolls over from his side so his back is no longer facing me. "Sutton, what are you doing?" His voice is scratchy, his eyes slowing peaking open with weighted lids.

"You're sick. Anna gave me your doctor's number, he's on the way. I've got a thermometer, I need to take your temperature and I have a bowl of cold water with some washcloths to help try to get your fever down." I take my hand to Caleb's forehead, his fever has gone up. He's not just burning up anymore, he's scorching hot.

"I told you I'm fine." Objectively he attempts to argue but he's far from fine. I'm concerned he might be sicker than I originally thought. I need to get his fever down and fast.

"Shut up and take this," I bark crudely. I remove a bottle of water with some Tylenol handing it to Caleb. Reaching under his neck, I assist in lifting his head up just enough to take down the medicine. My harsh abrasive tone along with his weakened body has him complying without argument.

"Now open your mouth before I shove this up you're stubborn ass," I threaten taking the thermometer to his lips. Even in his sluggish condition he cracks a smile, an authentic smile. It's spectacular, exquisite, a vision that stains my eyes leaving an imprint that I never want to fade. He must be on the brink of delirium if he's grinning which makes me more worried about his health.

The thermometer beeps. I remove it from his mouth and read it aloud, "102.7, you're getting patted down. Now." I warn placing it aside grabbing the washcloth and wringing it out.

I take the moist cloth to his head first, "What the fuck!" His body shudders from the unexpected cold chill.

"I need to get your temp down Caleb so you need to cooperate." He tries to sit up but I take a hand to his chest pressing him back on the mattress so he's laying flat against it.

"That things freezing. I told you I was fine a million times already. You know you don't listen for shit? I should fire you for disobedience." He whimpers as I lift off his shirt and begin wiping down his arms and chest making his body shiver.

"Good, you'll be doing me a favor because I don't think I'll be able to tolerate an entire year of your asinine behavior anyhow. I'll expect severance pay." I retort affirmatively while I continue covering his body with the wet rag. I know he's not going to fire me, he just needs to be objective any way he can because that's who he is, giving me the opportunity to show him I can hold my own ground if he really wants a fight.

Caleb scoffs with a large sigh of defeat letting me finish cooling him off. Once I'm done I check his forehead again and it seems to have simmered down some. I take his temperature to confirm that he's doing better, the results being 100.5, still a little high but it's an improvement.

The doctor shows up to examine Caleb. I leave the room to give them some privacy stepping out into the hallway. Dr. Jeffrey's exists after about fifteen minutes letting me know on his way out that Caleb is suffering from something viral. He should continue with the Tylenol and stay in bed resting for the next couple of days. I assure the doctor that Caleb's in good hands, I'll watch him like a hawk and make sure he doesn't get up except when necessary.

Entering back in, Caleb is sitting against his headboard looking like he holds more strength. His brown hair tousled, his body covered in sweat with his normal color slowly returning to his cheeks. He looks horrible considering his current ill state but yet he still looks gorgeous. I don't think there is anything that can take away from his striking good looks and dominating features.

"While you were sleeping earlier I made you some Italian Wedding soup. Would you like me to get you some? You've haven't ate anything all day." I ask making way to his bed with some fresh sheets and a blanket since the currents one's are soaked from perspiration.

"I can run downstairs and get it while you change the sheets." He's relentless, futile, he's worse than a toddler. He removes his covers standing up and starts walking my way towards the door.

"I'm not letting you leave this room. Go have a seat on the couch while I make your bed and then I'll bring you something to eat." I raise my voice scolding him with a sharpened stare.

Sitting the fabrics that lay in my hands down on the marble dresser top, I march over to Caleb blocking his path. I perch my lips together crossing my arms, my eyes daring him to keep up his resilience and see where it leads him. He's my responsibility, I took on that burden as painstaking as it is. He may be feeling a little bit better but it won't last. I'm not letting his pride and ignorance impede his well being. For some stupid reason I find myself caring for him because of the things he's done for me. I would be living in my car in a few weeks if Caleb hadn't come to my rescue. I know I'm not only helping him because I'm a nice person, I'm helping because I feel something for him, not that he really deserves it considering any good he has done has been canceled out by his harshness towards me.

"Fuck you're impossible. I'll call Anna and have her bring us up some food." Caleb snatches his phone off the nightstand taking it with him to the couch.

I secretly smirk without him seeing my smile of victory, knowing that I've won this battle. I let him call Anna from the couch as I make up his bed, taking the dirty laundry over to the hamper.

"Now was that so hard?" I duplicity beam no longer able to hide the corners of my lips from rising as I tuck in the last end of his fine expensive sheet with him watching.

"Why aren't you in a dress and why do you have on a bra and panties?" He ignores my rhetorical question with his own scrutinizing ones in response regaining some of his arrogance back.

"Because I had to go to the store to get you medicine, a thermometer, and ingredients to make your soup. I'm not going out in public with my boobs bouncing around in everyone's face. Why don't I just get naked for you right now so you'll stop bitching?" I lift off my shirt, unsnap my bra until my upper half is completely exposed.

"Urgh," Caleb grunts, "Anna will be up here any minute. Put your shirt back on." He grumbles throwing his face down in his hands nodding his head in dismay.

I slip back into my shirt leaving my bra off. I'm not going anywhere anyways and it is more comfortable. I hear Anna about to enter so I snatch my bra off of the floor real quick and toss it in the hamper before she sees it lying around getting the wrong idea. I don't want her to think I'm trying to fuck Caleb when he's sick and should be sleeping.

"Here you go Caleb darling. Just like you asked, two bowls of soup with some crackers on the side." Anna brings the food tray over to the coffee table in front of Caleb.

"Thank you Anna, that will be all." He dismisses her then turns his attention to me, "Sit with me and eat. I know you must be hungry. Anna told me over the phone that you've been running around all morning." He's stern with his command giving a gesturing nod for me to take a seat besides him.

I walk over to the bed patting down on the mattress. "You have a tray, you can eat your soup here. You need to be relaxing, resting. The bed is more comfortable."

Surprisingly he stands bringing everything with him. Caleb sets up two trays, one for him, one for me. "Eat with me." He's not nice about it but he's not mean either. I decide to accept the invitation since I haven't had a chance to eat.

Grabbing us two bottles of water from his mini fridge, I take my spot next to him. "How's the soup? Does it meet your standards?" I ask watching him spoon up a scoop.

"It will do. Thank you," Caleb says without emotion after swallowing down the broth. I know my cooking is better than he wants to admit but I'll take what he says as a compliment because I know that's his way of giving one.

"If I'm going to be cooking for you it would be nice to know what you prefer. I had to ask Rosa what you're favorite soup was before I went to the store this morning." It's a light topic to converse on so I don't see how he will refuse to answer something so simple.

"Rosa will be doing most of the cooking. You're here for other reasons. When I feel better we can discuss what other things I'll be expecting of you." He speaks to me back and forth while he takes down his food.

"So you finally admit that you're sick?" I smile sitting down my spoon. He slips up, admitting that even he is vulnerable and weak at times. It's a small milestone but I'll take what I can get.

"When you're done eating you can leave. I'm sure you have things you can do today that don't involve being my babysitter." He dodges my question alluding an answer that will incriminate him even more. He makes me want to tear my hair out my head he's so impossible and frustrating but I'm not a quitter. I'll tolerate the bitter man until he concedes or until my year is up, whichever comes first.

"I'm not going anywhere. Your fever will come back and you're going to need help. Could you please stop fighting me on this because you're not going to win? I can be just as stubborn as you if you haven't noticed." I get up putting my tray on the dresser done eating. I notice Caleb is also finishing up so I move to him to take his tray.

"Don't forget that our arrangement is business and nothing more," He grabs my wrist as I reach down over his lap to take his dishes, having me look up to meet his eyes so I can see the seriousness in his face.

"I haven't forgot. I understand clearly where we stand." I tell him convincingly because I know how stupid it is to ever get my hopes up that I could one day have something real with this man. It will never happen so I need to keep myself guarded the same as he guards himself but it doesn't stop the small tinge of pain that pierces through my heart when I speak the words.