When I release a yawn I can’t hold off, he takes that as his cue to guide me out of the bathroom.
“I should probably have washed up, huh?” I mutter sleepily as he leads me to the bed, where I stumble over my favorite pair of boots and a box of cereal—huh, no wonder I couldn’t find it in the kitchen earlier.
His lips twitch. “I’ll hire more staff.”
“Good idea. I’m not the biggest fan of chores.”
“Brat.”
Woozily, I blink at him. “I’m not your brother!”
“There are perks to you not making your bed,kroshka,” he heckles as he helps me onto it like it’s too much for me to figure out on my own.
“You dissing my cleaning skills?” I deadpan while he’s busy dragging off the duvet and top sheet, airs out the latter, and lays it over me.
“Da.”
I’d huff but he tucks me in after rolling the duvet on top. No way I’m complaining when he did an A+ job of putting me to bed.
When I hear the creaking of a floorboard, one eye pops open. “Where are you going?”
“I need to finish showering. I’ll be back soon.”
I roll onto my side. “Don’t come without me.”
I’m pretty sure I hear him chuckle, but I could have dreamed it. Just knowing he’s here makes it easier to fall asleep, lulled by the sound of him putzing around my bathroom.
This intimacy stuff is far stranger than I could have anticipated.
Still like it though.
SIXTEEN
I <3 MY AMPUTATER
The soundof a car’s engine starting has me shifting from sleep to wakefulness.
When I realize I’m surrounded by him, I release a sigh, turn so that he tightens his arms around me, and allow myself to rest.
Funny how you can send a girl the decapitated head of her kidnapper and it sows the seeds of trust, isn’t it?
Humming happily, I sleep.
SEVENTEEN
SET A FUCKING DATE ALREADY!
The next time I wake,it’s mostly because I need to pee.
The lightening of the sky tells me the time without me even looking at the clock, and in the back of my mind, I’m reminded of what he said about being an early riser.
I’m not sure how I don’t wake him when I get up—I have to unburrito myself out of his arms—but he’s still sleeping.
I use the toilet, think about the time and the potential for kisses, then grab my toothbrush, duck into the shower, and quickly freshen up.
Last night didn’t end how I figured it might, but honestly, I’m glad that he’s still as unpredictable as ever.
It means I don’t get bored but also, that this is more than just sex to him.
