Asher raced her to the hospital. Being ninety percent sure that she had a kidney infection did not make him any less anxious that something was seriously wrong, and he wondered if her exhaustion the night before had been a symptom they both missed. He pulled up to the hospital and helped her in. It was still very early, and they went back pretty much immediately. She was sitting on the bed shivering, and he pulled off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders."
"Thank you." She snuggled into the jacket, fighting a smile. She loved this new softer side of him.
Asher nodded as the doctor came in. He did a quick examination, asked her several questions, and agreed with Asher about the kidney infection. Then, he scolded her for not drinking enough water and not going to the bathroom as often as needed.
"It's essential to go to the bathroom after sex." He said. "That's most likely what caused this." Next, he prescribed her antibiotics and told her to get some rest. Asher paid the bill on the way out, they went to the pharmacy, and while they waited for the prescription to be filled, Asher took her for breakfast, going through a drive-thru and sitting in the parking lot to eat so she could have the heated seats on.
"So, you know I'm going to be on your ass about drinking water now, right?" He grinned as he teased her.
"That's fine. It's like you looking after my pills; sometimes I need help." She shrugged, still wearing his jacket. "Thank you for looking after me, Asher; feeling cared for is nice."
He smiled and leaned over to kiss her. "Always." He hesitated. "About last night…"
"I gave you permission, Ash, and I enjoyed it a lot." She smiled at the memory.
"Oh, I know you did, and believe me, so did I, because holy fuck, I don't think I've ever had an experience like that before. I'm just curious because I didn't know you had a sleeping beauty thing."
"A sleeping beauty thing?"
"Yeah, it's kinda like consensual nonconsent. You like being touched and fucked while you sleep."
"Oh." She blushed. "I'm sorry Ash; I don't think I have that. There was more to it than that. Giving you permission to use me." She reached up and cupped his cheek. "Was really freeing Asher. Giving up all my control and just letting whatever was going to happen, not having to worry about anything, knowing you had me no matter what; it was like a cage around me fell apart, and I could completely let go. Everything was about you. All I could feel, smell, taste, see, and hear was you, and it completely overwhelmed me. It was incredible."
He looked at her with so much tenderness in his eyes that it made her want to cry. "Wow. I'm not even sure what to say. I'm incredibly touched and honored that you trust me enough to let me do that." He kissed her again, holding her face gently in his hands. "I'm happy I was able to make you feel that good, even if it does set the bar really high going forward."
She laughed. "Hopefully I can make you feel that good at some point."
"Honey, the way you reacted to me, Fuck I want that again. It was just as intense for me Mina." He smiled and brushed his hand across her cheek. "You've ruined me for other women Princess. I'm not gonna be able to give you up."
Mina shifted a little. "You've ruined me too Asher." Her voice was very soft. "It scares me."
"Why?" Asher felt his heart twist.
"Because I don't know what I feel yet. It's very confusing."
"Right." Asher nodded and crumpled his garbage into the bag.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be." He shook his head. "I know this will most likely not end how I want it to." Mina could hear the pain in his voice and wanted to hug it away.
"Asher…"
"We better get your prescription." He changed the subject. "And get on the road."
Mina fell silent. She had just ruined the moment, and she wished she could take it back. She hated that she couldn't tell him that she wanted to stay. She hadn't told him yet, but she was pretty sure she would be going home. She felt like without having space from him; she wouldn't be able to work out her feelings.
When they got to the pharmacy, Asher told her he would be right back and left her in the car.
She watched him walk away and wiped a tear away. Then, she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye and looked up in time for the door to open; someone grabbed her arm and pulled her from the seat. She felt a sharp pain in her temple, and everything went dark.
Asher came out of the pharmacy ten minutes late and came to a dead stop. The passenger side door was open, his jacket was lying on the ground, and Mina was gone. Everything was suddenly dim. Sounds were muffled, and darkness was pushing in on the edge of his vision. Someone had dared to take her. Who the fuck was so incredibly stupid? He pulled out his phone and called Les.
"Asher? Is she okay?"
"She's gone. Someone took her."
"Where are you?"
Asher gave him the pharmacy name and he could hear Eric murmuring something.
"Ten minutes."
Asher hung up and slowly moved forward. Someone was going to die a slow painful death.