Chapter 31：Ch 31: I guess I kinda deserve that

"Good morning." She screeched and looked up to see the object of her thoughts standing in front of her with a glass of dark liquid in his hand. "Sorry," he smiled, shoving the glass in her direction, "here drink this."

"What is it?" she took the glass of dark liquid and sniffed it causing her face to wrinkle in disgust. It smelled like pond slew. Worse of all, it looked like it. "A hangover cure-all." "Is that what this is? A hangover?" she brought her free hand to her throbbing forehead, "It's horrible.

How do alcoholics people handle it? Just dealing with this once will stop me from ever drinking again." "They don't, that's why they're alcoholics. Now drink up." She took a sip and coughed at the bitter taste.

"pinch your nose, then you won't have to taste it." "Is this behavioral therapy." She looked up at him, "I got drunk and you torturing me with this slew so it won't happen again?" This time he let a little laughed. "No, it does work. You can attribute its fame to my frat days in college."

He leaned against the door frame, "What do you think is worse Abigail, the hangover or the taste of that drink?" "It's a tough call."

She winced as she pinched her nose and swallowed the contents of the glass. When she was done she handed the glass back to his offered hand while grimacing. "That was disgusting."

"Serves you right." "Yes, I know. I never was much of a partier."

"Much? Never is more like it." Then he sighed, "Abigail you should have called me." "I know." Her eyes went to his, "I thought about it, but then I wasn't sure if you were in an important meeting. I hate being a bother."

She also remembered how he looked in Joseph's room that night and didn't want to put him through that again by bringing him back here. He'd stayed strong for her and she'd already asked enough of him. "My future wife should be able to call me at any time and not think she's a bother."

"I left you a note." She returned while relishing the thrill that went through her at the sound of those words, future wife. "Which I found only after I was as frantic with worry."

"You were frantic?" she almost smiled. It must've been a sight. This handsome, tall man that could take over a company with the steel composure of a practiced diplomat was frantic? Unfortunately, he could see the amusement in her eyes.

"You think this is funny?" He narrowed his eyes in mock anger while she pursed her lips and shook her head quickly but he saw the slight smile, "Well darling, I'm letting you know right now that I'm not letting you come here without me again." "I guess I kinda deserve that."

"You deserve a shower too."

He reached down and hauled her to her feet, kissed her briefly on the cheek and wrinkled his nose, "Probably right away." "Well don't you know how to make a lady feel so sexy." She laughed like the play between them.

It seemed like spending that night together knocked down some of that uneasiness she had around him. "Abigail, honey, nothing could take that away from you even if you were dressed in a bag." He said seriously.

That statement was no less than shocking. Never had he complimented her looks before. As surprising as it was she managed to keep her teasing voice and expression.

"After what I did you still compliment me." She smiled up at him. "After what you did I'm still crazy about you." He added with a devious grin.

Her smile faded at his confession. Did he mean it? She would never know because he just told her to shower again, patted her hip, and left her standing there.