Page 45 of Treasured Secrets
I was quick to question his odd response. "Why do you say it like that?"
He shrugged and loosened his grip on me.
"I just don't trust bodyguards. I've got good reasons for that." He sounded a little distressed with a hint of anger. There was something eating at him.
"Why don't you trust them?"
He took a deep breath and his eyes shifted toward mine. His look turned from deep thought, to forced comfort. "Another story for another time. It's late and you've yawned like five times in a row. We have to go to school soon. Sleep deprivation is never a good thing for young minds."
He leaned over and kissed me on top of my head. He was hiding something that had happened.
He slid down into the covers and patted the bed beside him, gesturing for me to join him in comfort. But I refused to relent that easily. "I want to know. There's something bothering you, so I have to know. If you expect me to confide in you, then I should be entitled the right to expect the same."
He sat back up and stared into my eyes, stroking my cheek with the back of his hand. "Maybe I just don't like bodyguards because I don't like McKee watching your every move." He smiled playfully, proud of his witty little cover up.
"Uh-uh. It's not that easy. I want to know the truth." I crossed my arms over my chest in protest of his unwillingness to confide in me.
He sighed and shook his head. "Okay. I'll make a deal with you. If you lay down with me right now and go to sleep, I promise I'll answer any question you have before we go to bed tomorrow." His eyebrows went up and down mischievously.
My heart fluttered. I'd been sleeping with him for a while now, yet we hadn't even kissed. It was confusing and frustrating. Especially since he never slept with a shirt on.
I leaned in closer to be inches from his face. "Well, that depends on if you plan on avoiding me all day tomorrow."
His eyes softened as did his voice. "I couldn't avoid you even if I wanted to. I can't stay away from you any longer than what I'm forced to, in case you haven't noticed. I've been sleeping in your bed for a while now, and it's not just because I was asked to watch over you." He rubbed my side affectionately.
I looked down a little embarrassed. "Sorry. I guess you probably miss sleeping in your own bed, in your own room, in your own house. You should probably stay at your own place tomorrow. I shouldn't be so needy. I promise I-"
He stuck one finger over my lips to stop my incessant, embarrassing ramble. "There's no way I wouldn't be with you for any reason unless I was hurting you. I wasn't complaining about being here with you. I was pointing out the fact I can't be without you."
Now I was really blushing. "Thanks." Then I raised my head. "It's odd that everyone is so okay with you sleeping in my bed with me. I don't say anything about it because I keep worrying they'll make you stop."
He laughed and then covered his mouth to muffle the sound.
"They're definitely not okay with it. Your dad would probably hate me if I wasn't here for your safety. They want you to feel safe, as well as be safe. Not to mention…" He hesitated to finish. "They sort of have the impression that I've been sleeping on the floor."
"Oh… Well that makes sense."
I thought to myself about how they had nothing to worry about. If it was taking us this long to get to first base, I would be, well, immortal by the time we even rounded second. There's no telling how long it would be before I got any farther.
I assumed his concept of time was goofed up due to the fact that he was immortal. I wasn't going to be pushy about it either, at least not right now
I finally decided to agree to his terms. "Okay. Deal. Tomorrow I question, and you answer. No diverting."
He yawned before responding. "Good, because I'm so beat." He slid me down into his arms and pulled me to his body.
I wasn't sleepy at all at first, but as his fingertips trickled up and down my arm, I found myself more at peace. My eyes got heavier and heavier until finally I was out.
The alarm sounded its infuriating buzzing noise. I rolled over to my stomach and pulled a pillow over my head. I heard it suddenly cut off. Then there were two hands on my shoulders, massaging them.
I loved it when Tallis touched me for any reason.
"That feels good," I mumbled, relishing the strength and softness he used.
That fire didn't seem to be blazing inside me as it usually did under his touch. I assumed I was getting used to it.
I still had my head buried under the pillow as the massaging continued. I was in a pair of boy-cut panties and a white tank top. I didn't realize I had kicked my shorts off during the middle of the night. Now I could feel a gentle breeze hitting my skin, alerting me to that fact.
I didn't race to cover up though. I was thinking it might encourage him to move things along a little faster if he got a tiny little peek. I smiled to myself as I thought of my scandalous plan. Then I rolled over as his hands were rubbing my lower back.
