It didn’t mean anything. She just got caught up in the moment. After not seeing Harper for a week, she would obviously have a more intense reaction than usual. A yearning that bypassed logic.
How would Harper react if she knew? Would she be okay with it? Or do the expected thing and cower from her? Maya was good at pretending not to be a monster. So good that she sometimes forgot entirely.
“Harper?” she said, keeping her voice low. “You have to move. You’re sweating, and if you stay here, you—”
Harper cut her off. Not with a clever comment or even a dismissal.
Instead, shesnored.
She’d fallen asleep. Resting her head against Maya’s shoulder, blindfold partly slipped off, and with her arms resting around Maya’s neck. Completely at ease.
Maya pulled Harper closer. Harper muttered as her body shifted but didn’t stir. Her body was relaxed, her heartbeat steady. At peace.
Maya rested her head against hers, breathing in her citrus perfume. Even though she shouldn’t. Harper obviously needed rest, and she shouldn’t take it here. Maya’s body didn’t produce heat. If they stayed like this, she would get cold.
But she wouldn’t get cold for a few more minutes.
When Harper woke up, it was to gentle fingers running through her hair. A caress so soft that it prolonged the dazed window between sleep and consciousness. A state where the only noise she could make was a quiet sigh.
Though realization pivoted it into a groan.
“Oh no…” she muttered. “How long was I out?”
“Just a few minutes,” Maya said. “You looked so cute, I didn’t want to wake you.”
“You should have. We don’t have much time, and I don’t want to waste it sleeping.”
It was her own damn fault. She’d been so nervous about coming out here that she’d barely slept. Apparently,it had made her tired enough that the briefest moment of relaxation brought unconsciousness with it.
Harper opened her eyes, finding the cabin enveloped in warm light. A few candles had been set around the living space, their flames casting dancing shadows onto the walls.
She was on the couch, wrapped in a soft blanket. Maya was sitting on the floor next to her, face right at Harper’s eye height.
“You can blame it on me feeling selfish.” Maya toyed with a lock of pink hair. “I like watching you sleep. I rarely get to. Since you always wake up early.”
“Your definition of early needs a bit of revising.” Harper took Maya’s hand and intertwined their fingers. “But… you know that thing about you being sappy? I might be taking a liking to it. Since you’re ridiculously good at it.”
Maya grinned. “Poor you. My goal is to be greatat it, so you’re going to have to deal with me practicing some more.”
She brought their joined hands to her mouth, kissing Harper’s knuckles. Just a light caress of lips against skin, and somehow, it had the effect of getting punched in the stomach. Not because it was bad. But because Harper knew that in no time at all, she would have to be without it again.
“When do you have to go?” She’d meant to sound casual, but the words came out meek.
“Soon. It’s getting dark. Aleksander will probably call me back to the outpost any minute now.” Maya put her arm on the couch cushion, resting her chin on it. “I wish I didn’t have to leave. If I had my way, I’d stay right here. Watch you sleep some more.”
Harper’s face warmed. Was she really so lost in this woman that a comment like that couldmake her blush?
“I don’t think that’s totally true,” Harper said with a smile. “I saw you sparring earlier. You were having funwithoutme. Don’t pretend you weren’t.”
Maya didn’t argue. Either for or against. She just looked into Harper’s eyes, her thumb drawing half-circles over their still entwined fingers.
“It’s better, I admit. A lot better. People actually talk to me every now and then. It’s not much, but it’s more than I had before.” She ran a finger over Harper’s forehead. “But it doesn’t beat being alone with you. You shine, Harper. You make everything around you brighter. I’d take a minute of silence with you over weeks of conversation with anyone else.”
Harper’s heart did a pirouette in her chest. It spun and spun, going so fast that she got dizzy.
Damn Maya. Especially her sweet words and beautiful smile, both of which were alive with sincerity. Damn her for looking at Harper like she did, as though being in her presence was a blessing rather than a chore.
But even though it would be more familiar, Harper couldn’t make herself resent the feeling blooming in her chest.
