“But—”
Red crawls up her neck. “I want twin braids.”
“Morana, I don’t know what you’re playing at.”
“Little sister doesn’t care about big brother’sfweelings.”
I attempt to inhale, but her lavender shampoo cloys. “Are you…speaking in third person?”
“Brush.”
Fingers shaking, I gather up her hair again and count. One big fat ugly toad. Two big fat ugly toads. Three…I actually really like toads. Frogs are great. I love the sounds they make. Deep croaks. Tiny squeaks. Amphibians are awesome.
Morana’s hair falls against her back in a single sheet of black glass when I’m finished brushing, and I’m hypnotized. The frogs and toads hopping around inside my brain go still, providing a moment of silence for me to run my fingers through the straight locks.
Her neck—red.
Her shoulder—partially bared around the loose collar of her shirt.
She shifts her position, and the edge of her bra strap shows.
Mindless, my finger finds the elastic, follows the seam, traces the line down her back past her wing bones, to the impression of her bra’s band. Silent and still, I stare, fighting to catch my breath.
Even though it’s barely above a whisper, her voice sends my hand jolting off her. “What are you doing?”
“I’m sorry.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“You’re so beautiful. I can’t handle this, Morana. I’m sorry.” Pressing my knuckles to my mouth, I force my attention to the ground beside my bed. I told her once—after she’d scared me half to death by waking me up—that if she came within a foot of my bed again, I’d pull her into it and not let go.
Empty threats, clearly.
I want to hide under my blankets until my heart slows down.
No. No, actually, I want her to change her mind and her mission. Right here. Right now. I want her to giveusa chance. I want her to kiss me senseless, bury me against the blankets, and pull my hair again.
I want—
My brain to shut up before I do something illegal.
“I’m not doing anything,” Morana says. “I’m just sitting here.”
“My dear sweet beautiful lass,” I drawl, lying back to escape her nearness, “issitting on my bednothing to you?”
“Quite literally, it is nothing.”
I toss my arm over my eyes. “Your mission failed. Leave me before I accidentally assault you.”
“Accidentally,” she drones. “Assault isn’t accidental, Kyran.”
“Unintentionally?”
“Wrong again.”
“You’re making me lose my mind, Morana. Please. I didn’t… I didn’t sleep well last night. I zone out sometimes when I haven’t slept well. I can’t handle this. Help me respect you.Please.”
The mattress moves as her weight changes but doesn’t leave. It settles. Beside me.
