AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Despite how useless she’d felt a moment ago, she didn’t fight him, and she found her head lolling against his shoulder, exhaustion winning over her pride. “What are we doing?” she mumbled into his shirt as he crossed the room. The soft fabric smelled like that mouth-watering cologne he always wore, along with the scent of him—just him, something she couldn’t describe but loved with her whole heart. She breathed it in deeply, every lungful greedy.
By the time he replied, they were already in the hallway. “We’re going downstairs.”
Darien didn’t say anything more as he carried her down the hallway, flicking lights on as he walked. He descended the staircase swiftly, holding his arms so steadily that she barely felt the impact of his feet striking the steps.
“Darien, I’m okay,” she croaked. Dammit, her voice just had to sound like that, didn’t it? “Really. You’re panicking.”
“I don’t think I can be blamed for it,” he said, glancing down at her, his eyes incredibly soft, “when it’s you we’re talking about.”
Even though she was still spaced out and breathless, she felt blood rush to her cheeks. The way he was looking at her, the meaning behind his words…
She didn’t deserve him.
The lights were on in the kitchen. Jack was seated at the island, munching from a bowl of popcorn, his barstool turned toward the sitting room as he watched an action movie on the television.
Jack didn’t pull his attention from the screen as he declared, “You guys reek of sex.”
Darien set her on a barstool two places down from where Jack was sitting. His hand hovered in the air behind her, preparing to catch her if she fell. A full minute must’ve passed before he decided she was steady enough for his liking, and rounded the island.
When he got to the sink, flicking the tap on full to wash his hands, he asked Jack, “Why are you still up?” He pumped soap into his palms and scrubbed.
Jack shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep.”
Quickly, Darien rinsed his hands and dried them. And then he went to the cupboards and started digging around, doors opening and slamming shut as he searched for whatever it was that he needed.
“What’re you looking for?” Jack mumbled around a mouthful of popcorn, the sound of his chewing mixing with Mortifer’s. The Hob was watching the movie as well, though he sat in his usual spot on the fridge, snacking on chips of ice.
“Are there no clean dishes in this house?” Darien said.
“They’re clean.” Jack pointed at the dishwasher. “In there.”
Darien shook his head in disappointment, but he started unloading the dishwasher. “What would you like to eat, Loren?”
“I’m okay, Darien, really. I’m feeling much better.” She made to stand. “Let me help—”
He abruptly stopped and pointed a finger at her. “You sit your cute ass back down right this instant.”
Loren was hovering above her seat. She knew she shouldn’t do it, but she raised a taunting brow, a smile threatening to form on her lips.
“Sit.”
“Fine. Mister Bossy Pants over here.” But she slumped back down.
“I will always be bossy when your health is the concern. You need to eat, sweetheart,” Darien said firmly as he continued unloading the dishwasher, eyes intense as they flicked up to meet hers. The look on his face brooked no contestation. “What would you like?”
Before she could speak, Jack cut in, his focus still on his movie. “If you could grill me a cheese sandwich, that’d be great, thanks.”
Darien paused, spatula in hand. “What?”
“Grill me a cheese sandwich, Dad Darien. Thanks.”
“Call me Dad Darien one more time, and you’re getting a walloping with this spatula.” He paused, spatula held before him, and then he added, “And you can grill your own sandwich.” His attention returned to Loren. “What can I make for you?”
“Actually…a grilled cheese doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Baby, no!” Darien gasped, waving the spatula in Jack’s direction. “Don’t encourage him!”
Jack dissolved into a fit of hysterical laughter. “This is great!” He clapped his hands. “I knew I was going to like having her around. We’ll both have one, thanks. I like mine extra crispy.”
