Page 51 of Backdraft
The next thing I knew, an alarm beeped. I was awake in an instant, thinking it was a smoke detector going off. I sniffed and didn't smell anything. Taylor was still sleeping beside me, and Cinder was curled up between us. Taylor’s eyes moved behind his lids, and he yawned.
"Hey there," I said softly.
He looked at me in confusion. "Oh hey. There's sleeping beauty. What time is it anyways?"
I looked at the time on my phone. "Eight thirty."
He stretched and sat up against the iron bed frame propping the pillows behind him. Cinder expressed his disapproval that we’d disturbed his slumber and jumped off the bed, thumping to the wooden floor, with a disgruntled meow.
"We must've slept right through the night," I said as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and sat for minute, curling my toes.
"Must've. I haven't slept like that in years."
I looked over my shoulder at him. "What do you mean?"
He shrugged his shoulders, which were beautifully tattooed. I didn't remember the tattoos from before.
“These are new.” I traced my fingers over the intricate ink.
“I got them a few years ago. Sort of a therapy thing.”
“I like them.”
“I’m glad you do.” He smiled and continued. "Basically, I don't sleep. I get a couple hours a night, and maybe some in the day. But sleep evades me as a rule. We must've slept at least ten hours. It's unheard of for me."
I leaned over and kissed him, murmuring against his lips. "I guess it must be me."
"Must be."
He caught me in his arms, and I didn't resist.
Chapter Fifteen
"Yeah, we did sleep." But, did we do anything else? "Last night, ah, did?—
"Anything happen?" he answered for me.
I looked into his eyes. Honesty, caring, and peace reflected back at me.
"Yes, I guess that's what I'm asking," I whispered. Not sure if I wanted something to happen or not. I was leaning to not because I wanted to be fully aware, and it would’ve been wrong on his part to take advantage. I trusted him, and that was a big deal.
He smiled and cupped the back of my head. "No. You don't need to worry. You were asleep." He smiled, and I couldn't help but giggle a little, which was uncharacteristic of me. For crying out loud. “I would never do anything like that. Taking advantage of unconscious women is not on my repertoire.”
I nodded, relieved. “That’s a good thing. I want to remember it, not have to be told about it.” I smiled and lost myself in his gaze.
He gave me a gentle tug, and I let myself fall over his chest, his other hand brushed the hair off my face. I gave a gentle shiver of delight.
"But we can change that now, if you like?" He cradled the back of my head, and I continued to gaze into his blue eyes.
I had no words to answer. Instead, I nodded, and he pulled me into his arms and rested his forehead against mine. "I never thought I'd see you again," he said in a low, gravelly voice.
"Me either. But that's what we agreed on at the time," I whispered.
He nodded. "Yes, we did. But I couldn't forget you."
I rested back into the crook of his arm, enjoying the warmth that flowed through my veins, and the way he gazed at me made my heart beat quicker.
Being next to him again after all these years was surreal.
