Boston (Book 2 Rob and Caroline)

Worn Out

I woke up to a knock on the door frame, and Rob, standing holding two cups of coffee, shirtless.

"Is this a Folgers add campaign?" I said with a laugh. He walked in, sitting at the edge of the bed, "Aren't you going to get in and cuddle up with me?" I asked taking the cup of coffee. He sat down next to me and I rested my head on his shoulder. "Did you ever come to bed last night?" I asked looking at him.

He shook his head no, "I felt like you needed your space."

"Space for what?" I said confused, turning so that I can look him in the eyes.

"I feel like I probably guilted you into having sex sometimes, or you felt like you had to, or should. And I'm really sorry for that, I didn't know..."

"Rob, stop, stop, stop" I said, "this is in no way your fault, this has to do with me. I am not mad at you, I do not blame you, if anything, I am sorry that because of me, our sex life has been subpar and low on the totem poll."

"Babe, it's not your fault, you just need to see a doctor" Rob said

"And I've been fighting you on that for two years" I said, "I mean how have you even stuck with me through this?"

"Because I love you" Rob said, "it's the same reason you're taking care of me right now, even though I'm a grumpy pain in the ass."

"You are a grumpy pain in the ass" I said with a laugh, leaning over and kissing him. "You should lay on your stomach and I can ice your back then we can sit here and talk." I got up, heading for the kitchen and coming back with ice packs.

"Please, lightly massage my shoulders" Rob said with a groan as I placed the ice on his lower back. "I for sure owe you a foot rub after this."

"I think I'm going to schedule myself a massage while you're at PT today" I said, "so you don't owe me anything."

"Yes, I do, I'm paying for that massage" Rob said

"Rob, you don't need to pay for my massage" I said with a slight eye roll that he can't see.

"If I could, I would be giving you one, and then you wouldn't need to schedule and pay for one" Rob said, "you are taking care of me, the least I can do is pay for your massage."

"Okay, thank you." And this is the first time I've let him pay for something without a fight.

"When is your family going to be down?"

"I'm sure they will be down this weekend"

"That's great, but I still think you should go have some fun" Rob said.

"We will see"

"Caroline,"

"Well just play it by ear, you have no idea how much you are going to need me."

"I know that if you keep treating me as your patient, we are going to have no romantic relationship."

"Rob, turn over."

"Yes, beautiful?" Rob asked rolling over onto his back.

"Do you not think that I find my tall, muscular, and sex appeal filled, fiancé attractive?" I said looking at him with an eyebrow cocked.

"Right now I feel like an old man and yesterday you told me you have zero sex drive, so no" Rob said looking at me.

"I love you" I said looking at him, "and even though yes, right now I treat you like a patient. That doesn't mean that I don't love you."

"I didn't say that you don't love me" Rob said, "I just said our relationship is suffering."

"What do you think marriage is going to be like?" I looked at him, massaging his shoulders, "it's all about give and take."