I blink my heavy eyes open to the bright sunshine and the sound of Jade banging around in the kitchen.
I grab the alarm clock from her nightstand, checking the time. Ten thirty.
We didn't get to sleep until late. Or early.
Jade had a lot of anger to let out, and I was more than willing to be her companion in her endeavor.
She was really angry last night though.
But hot. God, was she hot.
I giggle at the thought of what we did in the taxi. And in the elevator. And in her bed.
The stamina she has...it's inspiring.
I stretch out my aching limbs. My muscles are deliciously sore from all the sex with Jade.
Then, my bladder tells me that it's time to get up. I kick the covers back and head to the bathroom.
When I'm done in the bathroom, I pick up Jade's shirt from last night off the floor and put it on. I'm sans panties, considering she wrecked them last night. I don't actually know what happened to my panties. I have visions of them still on the floor of the elevator, riding up and down all night.
I walk into the kitchen. Jade is at the stove, wearing only boxer shorts and a sports bra, and I get the distinct whiff of bacon frying. It makes my tummy rumble.
"Hey," I say, padding into the kitchen toward her.
"Morning." She smiles at me from over her shoulder.
I reach her, putting my hand on her warm back, sliding my other one around her waist. She leans her mouth down to mine, softly kissing me.
"You should have a shirt on." I pat her stomach, nodding at the frying bacon.
"I'm hard-core, Pez." She grins. "You hungry? I made eggs and bacon."
"I'm starving," I tell her.
"Take a seat." She nods at the breakfast bar, which is set up with plates and cups and a kettle of tea.
I sit down and pour us each tea while Jade serves up the eggs and bacon. She sits down opposite me and picks her tea cup.
In the light of day, I notice a roof terrace through the full-glass panel in the kitchen. "You have a roof terrace?"
"Yeah. We can sit out there to eat if you want? It's a warm day."
"Heights are not my friend. I'm happy to just sit here, from the safety of being inside, and admire the view."
Jade chuckles and puts some bacon in her mouth. "What are your plans for today?" she asks me as she chews her bacon.
"I'm not sure. I'm not really a planner. I'm more a fly-by-my-pants kind of girl."
I put some scrambled eggs in my mouth. It tastes amazing. Jade can really cook.
"Good because I've got something arranged for you for this afternoon. If that's okay?"
"Depends on what it is. You're not going to make me strip naked and walk around London, are you?"
"No." She laughs.
Smiling, I eat some bacon. "So, what are you taking me to do?"
"It's a surprise."
"Okay," I say, dubious. "But I've gotta say, I'm not a fan of surprises—you know, in case I don't like it."
She smiles. "You'll like it. I promise."
We eat the rest of our breakfast in amiable silence. When I've finished, I get up and take away my plate, and then I come back for Jade's.
I pick up her empty plate and tell her, "I'll need to go to the hotel to get changed—"
It hits me out of nowhere. The pain in my head is so severe that I can't see. My vision blurs. The plate slips from my hand. It hits the floor and smashes. I can't do anything but clutch my head and cry out in agony.
This is bad. The headaches are getting worse.
"Perrie?! Are you okay?" Jade's voice sounds like she's underwater.
Everything starts to fade to black.
I register my legs giving out right at the time she lifts me into her arms. She carries me over to the sofa in her living room.
"What's wrong, baby?"
I can hear the worry clear in her voice.
"Head...ache," I manage to get out.
"What can I do?"
"Tablets. My bag."
I hear Jade leave me. I turn onto my side, curling into a ball. My hands clutch my head, my eyes squeezing tightly shut, as I will the pain to stop.
Not now. Not in front of Jade. Please.
"I got them." She's back. She sounds out of breath. "This was the only pill bottle I could find in your bag. I got water, too. How many do you take?"
"Two," I whisper, everything sounding loud.
I hear her shake out two pills.
"Open up, sweetheart."
I feel the pills pressing against my lips. I part my lips, and Jade drops the tablets into my mouth. Then, I feel a water bottle at my lips.
"Drink," Jade tells me.
I let the water in my mouth and swallow down the tablets.
"Better?" she asks.
I murmur a sound, waiting for the pills to do their job.
Jade sits on the floor beside me, her hand gently stroking my hair.
The headache begins to subside after what feels like forever, but in reality, it's probably only been five minutes.
"Hey," Jade murmurs when I blink open my eyes. "You doing okay?"
"I'm better. Thank you, Jade." I touch her hand still stroking my hair.
"Do you always get headaches that bad?"
I press my lips together. "Sometimes."
"Is it because of the tumor you had when you were younger?"
I press my lips together and slowly nod my head.
I'm lying to her. It doesn't make me feel good. But the alternative is telling her the truth, and I won't do that.
"The tablets make it better?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"I broke your plate," I say regretfully.
"Forget the plate, as long as you're okay. That's all that matters."
I swallow past my lies and touch a hand to her face. "I'm okay."
She turns her face into my hand, kissing my palm. "Did I..." She meets my eyes. "Did I overdo things with you last night?"
I give her a questioning look.
"The sex. You didn't get much sleep last night."
"It wasn't that. I just...I get headaches sometimes. Nothing to worry about."
