The smell
of cinnamon and coffee lured me out of my warm cocoon of sleep. I blinked into
the early morning sunlight filling the parlor and listened to the echoing quiet
of the house. The soft drip of Mae’s coffee maker confirmed that the power had
returned and the brilliant blue outside the window revealed a crystal clear
sky. I realized I must have nodded off in front of the fire last night, because
I was still camped out on the floor, but somehow I had acquired what felt like
a pillow. It was a bit too firm though.
I
moved slightly and realized the pillow was attached to a perfectly sculpted
forearm . . . and hand, which had my long hair gently woven through its
fingers. Something warm and solid tightened around my waist and my eyes widened
as I realized Raef was tucked against my back, one of his arms supporting my
head and the other clasped around my waist.
Sweet
baby dolphins everywhere, Raef was SPOONING me, pressed firmly against my back.
Now
acutely aware of my surroundings, I could feel his warm breath on the back of
my neck as he slept. I wanted to turn to him, but I was terrified he would wake
and realize he had jumped headfirst into those revisions we had briefly
mentioned last night.
Heck,
he was WAY MORE than touching me. He was holding me as if I would disappear -
as if I would fade into the molecules in the air. I swallowed and stayed still,
taking inventory of his hard body against mine, and how we seemed to fit so
perfectly together.
A
metal pan scraped against something in the kitchen, breaking the silence of the
house, and I felt Raef take a deep breath and stretch ever so slightly.
Then
he froze.
Crap.
I
stayed still, hoping he would think I was asleep. Hoping he wouldn’t suddenly
shoot across the room, taking with him the warmth and safety I felt in his
arms.
He
didn’t move for what felt like forever, keeping his arm around my waist, but
then I felt him softly spread his fingers out over my stomach. It took
everything I had not to spontaneously combust.
I
felt his forehead touch the back of my neck and he drew a slow, deep breath
against my shoulder blade. It sent electricity fanning out from my skin and
down my arm. All ability to control myself fled my body and I dragged in a
shaky breath.
He
loosened his grip and I rolled onto my back, his arm still behind my head and
his hand just below my belly button. His fingers grazed the area of my skin
that was now exposed thanks to a too-short tanktop.
God
bless the discount rack at Abercrombie.
“Uh
. . . Good Morning,” I said, my voice a little dry.
“Good
Morning,” he replied, quietly. “I didn’t mean to wrap myself around you like
that. I don’t even remember doing it.”
Pfft . . . no worries!
“You
just needed a snuggle-buddy,” I replied, flashing him a knowing grin, but my
face started to flush. Oh my god . . . that was so lame.
Raef’s
gave a soft smile and was about to reply, but a paisley pillow shot up from
behind him and wacked him in the back of his head. “HEY!” he protested.
“Will
you two SHUT UP!” moaned Ana who was sprawled on the floor as well. “I think I
might actually throw up in my mouth. Will
you be my snuggly-swuggly pooh bear? UGH! Seriously – I’m gonna
barf.”
I
blushed hot and sat up as Raef’s hand fell away from my tummy. He slowly got to
his feet, tossing the pillow that attacked him onto the couch. He stretched,
looking really well rested for the first time in weeks, and his black t-shirt
rode up just enough to torment the heck out of me.
He
looked down to where I sat on the floor, scrambled hair and silly PJs most
likely making me quite the sight to see. “I’m going to go bring in some more
wood and see if Mae needs anything,” he said, taking his fine self and walking
into the kitchen. I heard him greet Mae, though Mae returned a clipped Hello, and then the side door closed.
I
turned to Ana who was still sprawled on the floor with pillows and blankets.
“What the hell woman?”
“SNUGGLE
BUDDY? That’s all you can come up with after not having your hands on him for
how long?” laughed Ana.
“Hey
– at least I could speak. I was so shocked that he was with me, I thought I was
hallucinating. Did you fall asleep down here too?”
“No.
I went to my room, but was freezing by one in the morning. Kian and Raef were
down here talking while keeping the fire going, and you were drooling on the
floor, so I figured I’d camp out too, minus the unsexy drooling of course.”
“I
do not drool!” I laughed, horrified.
“Well,
maybe not, but you do have a line indented on the side of your face from
however you were sleeping,” she said smiling.
“I
do not!” I protested, but then felt my cheek. Sure enough I had a long groove
running the length of my face.
Terrific.
Mae
appeared in the parlor doorway, her arms crossed over a stained plaid apron. “I
need to talk to both you girls. Now, please.”
That
didn’t sound very promising. I glanced at Ana, who gave me a curious look, but
we followed Mae back into the kitchen where feast preparations were in full
swing.
“Sit,”
Mae instructed as she poured herself a fresh cup of coffee. She added some
sugar and slowly turned to face us as she stirred the caffeine. The soft clink
of her spoon against the cup seemed to echo ominously in the silent room. What
was she up to?
“Um
– did I forget to take the trash out or something?” I asked, daring a nervous
glance to Ana. Mae cleared her throat, a sure sign of whatever she was about to
say was not going to be enjoyable.
“Raef
and Kian are lovely young men. They’ve helped me out enormously while the two
of you have been laid-up, and I am very grateful for all they have done.
However, what I am about to say is non-negotiable.”
Oh
please – don’t say it. Don’t go there.
“Sex
should be between two people that are in love and are mature enough to understand
the ramifications of such an activity.”
Yup.
She went there. I bet the deed to the house it was because Raef had been curled
around me, too.
The
color drained entirely from Ana’s face.
“Mae
– you really don’t . . .” I started, but she raised a hand to silence me.
It was very possible I would never recover from this conversation. I was sure
Ana’s ears were shriveling off her head as Mae spoke.
“I
am not so naïve that I do not see how you four act around each other. It’s
obvious that there are feelings that go far beyond friendship between you two
and the boys. All I ask is that you girls are careful, use your head. Don’t do
something you’re pressured into. And for heaven’s sake, if you are determined
to do it, DON’T do it under this roof and always, always be protected.”
Silence
descended on the room, as if a black hole had opened up on the table, sucking
all gravity and sound from the kitchen. Mae stood there, glancing at the two of
us. I was so mortified. I slid my eyes to the kitchen door that Raef had passed
through minutes ago. If he was still anywhere near the side of the house, his
supernatural hearing would have just offered him an earful. Kill. Me. Now.
Ana,
no doubt ready to perform a self-inflicted mental exorcism to erase the past
few moments, hopped up from her seat as if she had been scalded. “Right. Good
talk. Will keep it under advisement. Gotta get dressed,” she declared, bolting
from the room. I think her little feet actually left a smoke trail in their
wake. Her leg was definitely all healed.
I
glanced at Mae and she eyed me over her steaming cup of coffee as she took a
sip.
Somebody
save me.
Stormfront (Undertow #2)
