Rest

Adam

If the tea works, I'll know. I think someone is trying to hurt Rowan, and I'm going to find out who.

I sit with my legs stretched out beside her sleeping form. She looks so peaceful. I wish that could be me.

But if she knew what I've done, would she still allow me to take care of her?

Regardless of that possibility, I email her professors from her phone. I inform them of her sickness - in her "own" words, of course - and manage to get her the full day off from classes and her internship. I don't bother emailing my own professors; they're used to me coming and going. As long as I get the grades, no one seems to care what I do.

I feel Rowan's forehead and smile a little. Why am I so happy that her fever has gone down? This is definitely a sign of something wishing malice against her. Yet I can't help but be happy that she will be feeling better soon. I can figure out who was in her head later.

She should be waking up within the hour. I order some breakfast from a local diner as she has very little to cook with at home. When the food arrives, I check on her for the millionth time. Still sleeping soundly.

I take the time to learn more about her. It's easy as her phone has no passcode. In the blink of a human eye, I have absorbed all the information I need. Twenty years old, only child, both parents alive and together, social work major, favorite color is green, and she absolutely despises any kind of math. Allergic to skin irritants and certain smells bother her. Good, I can work with this.

I've decided I want Rowan. Not for blood, but to have around. She's real and headstrong and determined and beautiful. I can see me caring for her.

I've never had a crush on anyone like this. My mother would beat any puppy love out of me. I still have the scars to show for it.

I feel like I need to protect Rowan. She is the only person in my life that seems comfortable enough around me to let me stay. I hope that never changes.

I see her blonde lashes flutter as her eyes struggle to open. The tea should make her groggy all day, which means I can continue taking care of her.

I like this plan.

"How do you feel? Lightheaded? Tingly?"

She just nods weakly. "But the migraine is gone?"

"Yeah, it's gone. I just feel weird, like my brain is clouded. How am I supposed to finish a paper like this...?" So not finishing work is a problem for her, even when she's not well. Not something I'm used to.

"You have been excused from everything today. I was worried you would feel fatigued from the tea. Just take the day to rest, Rowan."

"I don't want to rest, I have things to do." I see her legs move as if she's about to stand up. That won't go well.

"I wouldn't-!" I have to lunge forward to catch her shaky self. I lower her back onto the bed and she glares at me. It's quite amusing to see such a small, frail thing dare scowl in my direction.

"Did you drug me?! Adam, did you-?"

"Of course not! It's the tea. These side effects are why it's not commonly used or even known in the general public. It's completely safe, I promise."

Without warning, she begins to stand up again. I sigh in frustration and realize she is too headstrong to stay in bed just because I said so. I need to take measures to keep her down.

Less than a second later, I'm on top of her. I hold her wrists down beside her head and pin her legs down with my knees. It can't be comfortable, but it's necessary. Her wide eyes stare into mine, still attempting to process what is happening.

"If you won't rest, I'm going to have to make you. You won't like it if I need to do that." I speak slowly and clearly so she can grasp the full meaning of my words.

"You would keep me hostage in my own apartment? Just for me to rest?" It's as if this woman thinks I'm a lunatic!

"Not keeping you hostage. Think of it more like keeping you occupied."

"And how would you do that?"

"Any way you will let me."

A little wrinkle forms between her brows and I can't resist the urge. I release one arm of hers to rub the area with my thumb. I watch as her cheeks turn a beautiful rose color.

I speak softly, yet firmly. "You had a wrinkle from frowning. I don't want you to frown right now."

"And what would you rather I do, Adam?" Damn, she's got a zinger of an attitude.

"Let me care for you. Just relax and rest."

"You don't get it! I can't just lay here all day and do nothing!"

I am unable to contain myself. I kiss her fiercely to try and convince her to listen, but I enjoy it far more than I expected to. We play a game of control, seeing who can dominate the other. Of course I am winning. What surprises me the most is that when I try to pull away to give her air, she doesn't let me. I suppose years of suppressed natural urges of lust can cause a person to go mad.

I finally manage to break the kiss, but I don't leave this precious creature hanging. I leave a trail of a dozen more tiny kisses down her jawline and neck, relishing in the sound of her heartbeat speeding up. I stop at her collarbone and look up at her flushed face. Those beautiful eyes are screwed shut as if she is both scared and excited.

"I won't go further than that. Not unless you want me to. But I can tell you're not ready, Rowan."

"Is it that obvious?" Her whining, helpless tone is quite adorable.

"That you're a virgin? Yes. You act like you're starving for my touch." I feel like teasing her now just to see what she will do.

Her eyes spring open and I get the glare again. "I do not act like that!"

I grin playfully. "Then tell me what you act like around me."

As soon as she rolls her eyes at me, I bring my mouth down on the delicate skin of her neck and work a little magic. I feel satisfied by the way she gasps as I leave a little bruise on the spot.

"What did you do?" She looks so alarmed that I have to chuckle.

"It's just a hickey."

"You gave me a hickey?! Are you crazy?!" She struggles feebly in my hold.

"Stop squirming or I will have to knock you out."

I don't think I've ever heard a heart speed up as much as hers does now. She's stopped breathing entirely, utterly shocked at my words.

"Well? Are you going to behave?"

Her face tilts away from mine. I suppose not.

I flip her over quite roughly, not meaning to be as harsh as I am. Before she can catch her breath, I press down on two pressure points at once: one on the span between neck and shoulder and another on the spine. The first will knock her out, the other will cause temporary paralysis depending on how hard I press.

"Adam!" She groans in pain, but only until she falls unconscious.

Good thing she won't remember that later. She would kick me out in a heartbeat if she knew later on.

I pack up the breakfast I had delivered. She can have it for dinner instead. I didn't think she would fight me so much on resting.

Just to get her reaction once again, I lay down on the bed next to her and pull her into my arms. Feeling her head against my chest makes me want to protect her even more. If whoever wants to mess with me gets into her head again, I'll need to let it play out a little longer to get enough information on them. I need to know who's behind this and confront them.

Hours later, Rowan awakes. She immediately raises her head, alarmed at our position.

"You rolled over on me while asleep. You seemed comfortable so I let you stay." I smile at the blush creeping up her face. "Hungry? I ordered breakfast this morning but you fell asleep again, so I figured we would have it for dinner."

I study her features as she stretches and stands up, not looking at me. "Sounds good. Thank you." As she leaves the room, I feel a sense of accomplishment. Not only did she not throw me out, she also thanked me. Progress.

While we eat together, the mood is calm. We are both quiet and I take every chance I get to steal glances at her. Biting her lip, smiling at something on her phone, frowning when looking at her planner. She's a natural beauty. I want her.

After dinner, I clean up her kitchen and steal a kiss before heading out the door. I don't say a word because I don't need to. I think she understands that I'll be around more often.