I frown too… I didn’t want that. I hoped everyone was just getting on with their lives. “They… did?”
Lorraine nods. “Armen and Selina only left about ten minutes ago. They’ve got some quick jobs to do, then they’ll probably come straight back.”
“Okay,” I whisper. “As long as everyone’s… still doing what they need to.” I let out a weak cough, breathing rough.
Lorraine huffs a little laugh. “Everyone but the boss.”
I blink. “What do you mean?”
Then I freeze as someone lets out a content, sleepy hum behind me, before an arm shifts gently over my waist. My one good eye goes wide; I wince as the other throbs painfully.
I look at Lorraine and whisper, “Uh…”
The question doesn’t quite form in my mouth.
Lorraine’s expression softens with understanding. “Soren came in here as soon as the doc was done. Seems to have curled up behind you and he’s not moved for the past two hours. He barely slept looking for you.”
I frown, still trying to process. “Whyis he here?”
Lorraine looks at me, genuinely confused. “What do you mean?”
I hesitate, cheeks warming. “Um… well… I just don’t understand… why he’s sleepingherewhen he has a room upstairs.”
Lorraine’s brows raise and she tilts her head slightly. “You think he’dratherbe upstairs?”
“I mean…yeah?” I mumble, clearing my throat. “He doesn’t need to do this…”
I don’t get the chance to finish my sentence because Lorraine says gently, “No, but hewantedto.”
“Oh… uh, okay.”
Lorraine studies me for a moment. “Am I missing something?”
“What?”
“Why do you think hewouldn’twant to be here?”
I blush, not wanting to say it out loud… that I’m just Soren’s fuck toy, that there’s no real reason he should be wrapped around me like this.
I divert instead. “Can I have some water?”
She frowns, concerned, but nods. “Of course. I’ll get you a cold glass. Be back in a sec.”
Soren stirs behind me again. I hear the soft sound of him swallowing, then the quiet wet click of his tongue as he licks his lips, the unmistakable signs of someone waking up.
I squeeze my eyes shut tighter, pretending I’m still asleep. I’m not ready for this. On top of everything else, there’s this deep, gnawing fear and shame twisting in my gut. I don’t want him to look at my face. I don’t want him to see the ugly, stitched-up scar and think I look like a monster now, or deformed. Soren’s the only person I’ve ever known who seemed to find me attractive, for some inexplicable reason, and I don’t know how I’d cope if he suddenly looked at me with pity or disgust. I’m a nobody as it is.
Soren yawns, deep and sleepy, definitely awake now. Then he snuggles closer, pressing his face into the side of my neck. I try not to tense, but this is so strange. Soren doesn’t do comfort or cuddles. But here he is, warm and solid against my back, his breath ghosting over my skin before he presses a slow, lingering kiss to the side of my neck.
He nudges my shoulder gently. “Kit?”
Nope. No. Kit is still asleep. Kit is not here right now.
The door opens and Lorraine’s voice fills the room. “I’ve got your…”
She must see Soren because she lets out a soft laugh. “You’re finally awake then.”
Soren grunts, voice still thick with sleep. “Who were you talking to?”
