Follow Your Heart

Chapter 5

Skylar woke up with a pounding headache. She'd done it again - drank too much. Luckily, she remembered the evening and she didn't feel as bad. She dragged herself out of bed and into her bathroom, desperately looking for aspirin and finding none. After brushing her teeth, she threw on a robe and walked to Matthew's door, knocking lightly. A few minutes passed and she knocked again a little louder making her head hurt more. He opened the door wearing only a pair of shorts. She took in his tempting, attractive male physique. Her eyes moved upward to his broad chest and her mouth dropped open. He stood as if he prided on his good looks, a dazzling smile on his lips. His shoulders, a yard wide and molded bronze, attached to well-muscled arms, which probably had the force of snapping her in two yet, were always gentle with her. His flat stomach tapered to a narrow waist into his shorts. He looked magnificent. The glimpses of his strong gold body made her heart beat more rapidly, for a minute, she had forgotten what she wanted until the pounding in her head reminded her.

He silently watched as she devoured him with her eyes. "G'mornin'." His cool voice broke into her reverie.

She brought her hand to her forehead, hoping he didn't see her flushed face. "You don't need to yell. Help, I need aspirin."

"Hung over, huh?"

"Please spare me the lectures. I've already given myself the 'I'll never drink again speech'." He opened the door and she slowly walked in and flopped on the floor with her head in her hands. "I want to die," she groaned aloud. She reminded him of Lizzie at that moment. Didn't she say the same thing? He went into the bathroom and got her the aspirin and a glass of water. "You sir, are an angel. Thank you." She gripped the bottle of aspirin like a lifeline.

"You're very welcome. Want some breakfast?" She clutched her stomach and groaned. "Sorry."

"Matthew, I feel so sick." As if her stomach had a mind of its own, it churned. "I mean real sick." She got up and ran to his bathroom. He ran after her but she locked the door and wouldn't let him in.

"Skylar are you all right?" Nothing. He banged on the door and tried the doorknob. "Skylar! Open this door, let me help you." After a few minutes, she opened it, leaning against the door. "You scared me." Taking in her ashen color, he said, "Hey, you don't look so good."

"I can barely move." She started to slip to the floor but Matthew quickly gathered her into his arms and held her snugly as he walked towards his bed. A smile ruffled his mouth. She fell asleep in his arms before he could put her down. For a moment, he studied her. Her face was white beneath her tan and her tempting curved mouth brought him to arousal instantly. Gently, he placed her down onto his bed and covered her up. He forced himself to look away from the tempting sight she made in his bed. My God, what was he thinking? The poor girl was sick and all he could think about was ravishing her. Disgusted with his thoughts, he showered and quickly ran to the store to pick up some groceries and ginger ale.

Around five hours later, she became instantly awake, fully aware of her surroundings. She spotted Matthew in the kitchen unloading his dishwasher.

He noticed some movement coming from his bed. Good. He was starting to get worried but obviously she needed the sleep. He liked having her in his bed. He just wished that he was in there with her. She looked like a frightened cat while she clutched his sheets to her chest. Her hair disheveled and wide brown eyes stared at him with accusation.

"How're you feelin'?" He brought her a glass of ginger ale and dropped down beside her, facing her. "Here this will settle your stomach." He saw her shoulders relax a little.

She smiled weakly and drank. "I'm feeling a little better but very embarrassed."

"Don't worry 'bout it. We all get sick when we drink too much."