Callie is ridiculously light, and without any real effort, we’re up the stairs.
“You can open your eyes,” I whisper, carefully dropping her back to her feet.
She looks around the open space room that has more floor to ceiling windows and hardwood floors except for the giant, cream-colored rug in the center.
“Nolan, why is your bed big enough to sleep a family of five?” she blurts, walking over to it.
She runs her hand along the maroon comforter that had to be specially made-- along with the matching Italian sheets with an insane thread count. Sitting down on the edge of the bed with a little bounce, she digs her bare feet into the soft rug and turns on one of the bedside lamps.
The bed is low to the ground with a minimalist, black lacquered, wood frame bookended with matching nightstands. Across from the bed is an 80” TV mounted on the wall.
I shrug, heading for my walk-in closet to try and find something for her to sleep in. “I like my space.”
“Suuuuure,” she sings from the other room.
“Believe what you want,” I shout back, not really wanting to delve into what she might be thinking.
After rummaging through some drawers, I pull out an oldImagine Dragonst-shirt. Wondering if it will be long enough, I hear from outside, “Another balcony up here is a little excessive, but whatever. You do you. And I like the plants. But why are there foldaway doors into your bath and shower?”
“So I can enjoy the view while bathing,” I answer, deciding she definitely needs shorts. I haven’t worn boxers in years, preferring boxer briefs, but there are a few fresh pairs at the back of one of my drawers.
There’s the swish click of the balcony door closing, and Callie pokes her head into my closet, looking much better than a few minutes earlier. Apparently, my bedroom and master bath are good distractions.
Her fine blonde brows furrow. “Don’t you feel… exposed?”
I laugh and hand her the clothes. “No, not really. Even if I did care that someone saw me, no one can. It opens up to the back property which is nothing but acres and acres of forest.”
She rolls her eyes, clutching the clothes to her chest, and mutters, “Of course you wouldn’t care if someone saw you naked.”
“Now get out of here and change, or you’re going to see me naked,” I playfully threaten, and a new blush takes over her face.Too soon?
I change into a pair of sleep shorts, and I’m turning down the bed when Callie walks out of the bathroom. The band shirt comes to about her mid-thigh, and as she walks over, I see peeks of the boxer shorts I gave her.Yep, definitely the better decision.
She climbs in first and then I slide in after. Turning off the bedside lamp, I plunge us into mostly darkness with only soft hints of light from the ones I left on for Felix downstairs.
Please don’t let him get the wrong… okay slightly right, but mostly wrong idea.
Callie pulls my right arm over her, snuggling her back against my chest. She laces our fingers together then tucks her hands under her chin, leaving my forearm pressed between her breasts.
And shifting my hips away from her.
“Thank you,” she whispers into the night.
“No problem,” I mumble, breathing in her scent of pomegranates and orchids. The nails of her free hand lightly trace down my arm and answering shivers cascade through me.
“But seriously, why the huge bed?” she questions, amusement coloring her voice. “I’m pretty sure Connor could sleep sideways with his arms stretched over his head and still have space.”
It’s too easy, and I can’t help myself. After a long pause, I murmur seductively near her ear, “Do you really want to know the answer.”
“Aww man,” she groans, turning her head into the pillow. “Really? No, I take it back. I don’t want to know.”
I press my lips tight together, as I laugh so hard I’m shaking us both. “Damn,” I wheeze, “you really think a lot of my prowess, but I’m going to live for a couple centuries, so I should probably pace myself on sexual exploits.”
“Har har,” she mutters, but I can hear the smile in her voice.
After several halting breaths, I gain enough control to answer with the truth. “All the guys have their own rooms, sharing the two suites on either side of mine, but when we were kids, we liked to pile into the same bed, eat junk food, and pass out watching movies. My parents, as is their way, went over the top and got me a giant bed to accommodate us.”
“Awww… that’s sweet,” she comments, giving our clasped hands a light squeeze. “Do you guys still do that or is it not okay anymore?”
