Finley felt a chill shoot down his neck under the intensity of Victor''s sharp re. "Heh, really?" he chuckled, quickly steering the conversation away.
"Let me check your temperature first," he said, heading over to the bed. He grabbed the digital thermometer from his medical kit and pressed it gently to Victor''s ear.
"106 degrees!" Finley announced, his eyes wide. "Wow, I wasn''t expecting that— you''re actually burning up!"
Victor''s cold gaze flicked over him, making it clear he wasn''t amused.
But seeing Victor looking so helpless for once, Finley was emboldened. He shed a bright, cheeky grin.
Victor found the sight thoroughly irritating and turned away with a scowl. "Is it contagious?" he asked, voice gruff.
Finley seized the rare chance to tease him. "Not the fever itself, no. But at this rate, with how high your temperature is, you should probably take it easy. Remember, Isa''s pregnant. Try not to get her all worked up."
Isadora, who''d been hovering nearby, blushed scarlet.
Victor didn''t bother to hide his annoyance. "You can leave now."
***
In the living room, Finley prepped some fever medication and ran Isadora through a few important instructions.
She listened intently, worry etched on her face. "Isn''t that temperature a bit too high? Should I be worried?"
Finley considered it for a moment, then put on a grave expression. "Well, probably not. But then again, you never know. So you''d better stay by his side and keep an eye on him—if it suddenly skyrockets past 122, that''s really bad news."
Isadora''s eyes went round. "That serious?"
Finley nodded, deadpan. "Definitely. And with how cranky he''s bound to be, just try to humor him, okay? Sick people can be a handful."
Isadora nodded obediently. "Okay."
She still looked a little dazed from his words; Finley couldn''t help but smirk in satisfaction.
That''s all the help I can give you, brother, he thought as he left.
***
After Finley was gone, Isadora poured a ss of warm water, grabbed the meds, and went back to the bedroom.
She sat down gently at the edge of the bed, looking at the man sprawled beneath the covers. "Time for your medicine."
Victor fixed his deep blue gaze on her, his tone deliberately casual. "Feed me."
Isadora helped him sit up, propping him against the pillows, then ced the pills in her palm and held them out to him.
She wasn''t sure if he was doing it purpose, but as he took the pills from her hand, she felt a sudden
against her palm.
brush of warmth and .ne
She nced up-Victor''s expression was as neutral as ever.
"Try to get some rest," she said softly, tucking the nkets around him. "If you need anything, just call me."
"You''re not staying with me?" Victor''s eyes softened, a trace of vulnerability in his voice.
Finley''s advice ran through her mind. Isadora hesitated, then said, "I''ll just get you another ss of water. I''ll be right back."
She headed to the kitchen, refilled the ss with warm water, and returned to ce it on Victor''s nightstand.
This time, she slipped under the covers on the other side of the bed, lying down quietly.
As soon as she settled in, Victor''s
bet
feverish body pressed up behind her,
his arms circling her tightly,
her
o his embrace. Conting
Feeling the heat radiating from his skin, Isadora couldn''t help but ask, "Are you feeling ufortable anywhere else?"
Victor''s lips brushed her ear as he murmured, low andnguid, "Yeah...down there."
Isadora''s cheeks flushed crimson, her whole body tensing at the implication.
She swallowed, her voice trembling. "Dr. Pembroke said... you really shouldn''t right now."
"He''s an
He''s the one who
t be practicing t
Victor growled, his voice thick with need. "Isadora.
shouldn''t be practicing t
She bit her lip, noticing just how miserable he looked.
Closing her eyes, she blurted out, "Maybe I can help you..."
A momentter, she lifted the covers and slowly slid down.
Soon, the room was filled with the sound of Victor''s ragged breathing-until it rose to a low, guttural moan.