Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Since we came back from our first motel room adventure, Nox had left me alone. And although I was glad he put his trust in me, that first night back, I missed his presence and the comfort it brought.
Since that first adventure, there have been two more.
Both included shrieking siren alerts. Both included me being thrown into the back of a creepy black van. Both included me being blindfolded. Both included finding the most obscure, small motel to stay in, hours away.
Both times, it was just me and Nox.
Both times, Nox slept pressed into my back with an arm around my waist.
You wouldn’t hear me complaining.
In fact, my rigid body would turn soft at the contact.
I missed that.
So when I woke in a cold sweat, heart racing at almost four in the morning, it was clear what I needed. A shower, you say?
Hell no.
I needed a strong arm around me.
Slipping out of bed, I threw off my soaked nightie, replaced it with a tee and tiptoed out of my room. Creeping down the hall, I reached the door at the very end, wrapped my fingers around the door knob, and twisted.
Only to feel resistance.
Damn it to heck!
Nox locked his door at night.
My gut sank.
I stood there in the hall, dressed in a baggy white tee and underwear, contemplating what to do next, when something clicked and the door opened. Nox stood there in boxers, looking tired and just woken. Without a word, I pushed my way inside, walked across the room, climbed into his bed facing away from him, and covered myself with the covers.
Laying my head down with a sigh, I waited.
And waited.
Patiently, I waited some more until I finally felt it. The bed depressed, and Nox slid in beside me.
Turning to me, his arm wrapped around my hips, and he pulled me back into his body.
Not a single word was spoken.
And that was okay.
We didn’t need ‘em.
***
That was not the last night I’d spent in Nox’s bed.
In fact, more often than not, I slept in his bed rather than my own. He’d even started to leave his bedroom door unlocked, knowing that in the wee hours of the morning, I’d be making an appearance.
Rock walked in on us sleeping one morning, and when we both lifted our heads to look up at him, he looked like he’d just found out unicorns were real.
The best part of the situation?
Nox grumbled, “You need somethin’?” Like it was no big deal.
Rock’s eyebrows lifted so fast, I thought they’d fly off his face. “Nah. Just wanted to see if you wanted to spar before work, but,” Smirking like an ass, he finished with, “I see you’re tired.”
Backing out of the room, he shut the door and Nox tucked me into his side, mumbling, “Ass.”
I wrapped my arm around his side and sighed quietly, “Mmhmmm.”
Then we slept for the better part of the morning.
It was peaceful.
It was quiet.
It was perfect.
***
Fast forward three weeks…
I vaguely hear something penetrate the depths of my deep sleep.
“Boss?”
My dream pulls me back in and just as I get to the good part, static sounds, then I hear a little more clearly, “Boss? Come in.”
Peeking through one eye, I check the clock on the nightstand.
7:47am.
Oh, for the love of God. Why are people awake at this time?
Getting more of my bearings, I roll over on the bed. I do this with ease which immediately alerts me to the fact that Nox is already awake.
“The hell, Boss? Come in.” This comes from the two-way radio on the opposite nightstand.
Throwing my body across the bed, I press the button on the two-way. “Shower, Vito.”
“Lily? What the…? You know what, I don’t wanna know,” Vito responds gingerly.
I chuckle, “Shut up, Vito. I was asleep. And by the way, I need more pads.”
Clearly confused, he asks, “Pads? What kind of pads?”
“The feminine hygiene kind. Aunt Flo will be here soon.”
I almost see the disgust on his face. “TMI, Lily. Seriously, babe. Just tell me what you need.”
Feeling sleepy again, I mumble, “Heavy flow.”
He chuckles, “Oh yeah, like I could forget, huh? Got it. Anything else?”
Wow. Asking a woman, soon to be on the rag, if they need anything is a dangerous question.
Now that I think about it, I add to my list. “Uh, yeah. Candy. Lots of it. And a magazine. Or three. And pancake mix. The good kind, not the stuff you got last time. It tasted like cardboard. Maybe some bacon, too. And don’t forget the syrup.”
He scoffs, “Babe, I meant the essentials.”
Rolling my eyes, I utter, “Vito, that is essential to a girl with her monthly friend.”
Silence.
I gotta butter him up a little. In a sing-song voice, I say, “C’mon, Vito. I’ll be sweet to you.”
Lightning quick, he returns, “Oh Lily, baby. You get any sweeter and I’ll get a sugar rush.”