Page 103 of Cloudless
LILA
My fresh sheets and the warm light of my room envelopes me like a cocoon as the smell of laundry detergent surrounds me. The clock on my nightstand ticks on without a care for my anxiety as the dark screen of my phone taunts me from its place on my nightstand.
I force my eyes away from the device to trace the familiar pattern of my bedroom ceiling. No matter how hard I try to think about literally anything else, my thoughts always return to one thing. Well, one person, if I’m being specific. The hockey player who's supposed to video call me in—yet another glance at the clock I’m trying to ignore—two minutes.
The sudden vibration of my phone against the table startles my heart into a gallop in my chest. My satin pajamas are almost my undoing as I nearly fall off the bed in my haste to reach my phone.
I sound like I just ran a marathon as I finally answer the video call request. Kam’s smile transforms his face as he comes into focus on my screen. I can’t help but mimic his smile as I settle back on my pillow. “Hi, Trouble.”
Amusement accompanies his smile as he adjusts the phone in his hand. “Hi, Sunshine. Did you just run a lap around the house?”
I watch as my reflection in the bottom of my screen turns pink with the blush that takes over my cheeks. “No. I almost fell off my bed, though.” My breathing slows as I catch my breath. “Great game tonight, by the way!”
Now it’s his turn to blush. “Thanks. Were you able to go over to Ellie's to watch the live stream?”
The sound of my hair moving against my pillow as I nod my head is loud in my ear. “Yep. The twins and I made it just in time for the puck drop.” I roll to my side to ease the burn in my arm from holding my phone in the air. “Speaking of the twins, you’ll never guess what Posey did today.”
His previous amusement returns in full force. “Does it involve her saying something she shouldn’t have?”
My pillow shifts under me as I shrug. “Depends on how you look at it, I guess.”
He settles his arm behind his head as the bright white hotel pillows practically glow behind him. “Well, go on then. The suspense is killing me here.”
I blow out a breath as I shake my head. “She defended your honor at school today.”
His eyebrows fly up as he opens and closes his mouth. “She—what?”
I nod as a laugh breaks free. “You heard me right. Apparently, one boy in her class is a Raiser’s fan. He was talking all about how they would beat you guys tonight, since they would have the home team advantage.” I bite my lip as I try to rein in my laugh. “Posey didnottake it too well.”
He doubles over in laughter as the phone blurs before landing face down on his sheets. A shuffling sound comes through the speakers as he picks up his phone. His redcheeks contrast against the white sheets behind him. The color difference makes him look like the cutest tomato I’ve ever seen as he wipes tears from the corners of his eyes. “What did she say to him? I would have paid big money to be a fly on the wall in that classroom.”
My desire to not have to go through the bedtime routine again if the twins wake up is the only thing keeping my laughter in check. “If I recall correctly, her exact words were, ‘Not knowing enough about something isn’t a reason to lie about it.’ I can’t remember what else her teacher said when she called me today, since the two of us could barely contain our laughter.”
Kam settles back against his pillow as our laughter dies down. “Remind me to buy her some ice cream when we get home. It’s the least I can do since she defended our honor so well.”
A small smile pulls at my lips. “I’m sure she would love that. Speaking of you getting home, what time will you guys be leaving tomorrow?”
“We should head out first thing in the morning. I might even be back in time to grab some lunch with you before your shift.”
“That sounds great!” I roll onto my back. “Oh, before I forget, can you watch Jasper and Posey next Tuesday night? Ellie and I want to start a book club. We think that’ll force us to take the time to read, since we won't make it a priority otherwise.”
He raises his brows as a smile pulls at his lips. “I left town for two nights, and you guys have started a new book club? Of course I’ll watch the twins. Do you need a place to meet? You can always use the townhouse.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I think we’re going to have it here since I have a lot of parking. I’m not expecting many people to show up. Ellie has someone she wants to invite from one of her classes. So, it may only be the three of us, but I’m not sure yet.Who knows who will show up if Ellie is in charge of inviting people.”
He nods since he knows his sister better than anyone. “Knowing her, she’d bring a rabbit she found in the backyard or a stray cat.” His eyes flick away from the screen as what sounds like banging on a door reaches my ears. “I’ve got to go. The guys want to get some pizza before the restaurant downstairs closes. And by the way, you look damn good laid out on a bed with your hair all fanned out like a goddess.”
A flirty smile pulls at my lips as I extend my arm so more of my body fills the screen instead of just my face. “You think so?”
He traces the outline of my lace strap with heated eyes. “You’re my greatest temptation.”
Liquid heat flows through my body to settle between my legs as I whisper, “I wish you were here.”
He swallows before blowing out a deep breath that doesn’t seem to have the calming effect he requires. “Me too. But my will is strong enough to make sure the first time I see you naked isn’t over a video call. What’s growing between us is more precious than that.” He takes another deep breath. “So, I’m going to end this call so my dick can calm down enough for me to walk again. I refuse to answer the door with a raging hard on.”
A laugh bubbles free before I can catch it, despite the emotions floating through my chest. “You’re truly one of a kind, aren’t you, Trouble?”
“As long as I get to call you mine.”
