Page 120 of Till The Sun Dies (Checkmate 2)

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Laine

Back On The Road

Istep outside of my room at four-fifty-five a.m. and close the door with a soft snick. Ang is asleep, and I’m not entirely sure how I feel about waking him.

I fell asleep in bed with a man last night. I didn’t have nightmares, I didn’t freak out, and I woke half an hour ago more rested than I’ve been in a long time.

Sleeping next to Ang is a brand-new experience for me, and it was both healing and exhilarating.

Maybe I’m not broken. Or, at least, not as broken as I thought I was.

I slept in a bed with Ang and didn’t ask him to leave; I didn’t sneak off to sleep in the bathtub or car, and when I woke this morning, when I realized the weight pinning me down was his arm over my ribs and his leg over my thighs – and that he’s a snuggler – not only didn’t I freak, but I turned toward him with a smile and studied his features for a moment.

It’s not often I’d get the chance to study him so closely that I could count the pores on his nose, so I took my five minutes and prayed he wouldn’t wake while I was being weird.

The pad of my thumb studied the bridge of his nose; crooked from one too many fights over the years. His lashes, longer than any man should be allowed to have without mascara. His lips, heavy, but chapped from the windy drive.

He didn’t take his shirt off to sleep, so I didn’t get to study the smattering of hair I’ve seen over the years at the lake. He didn’t even take his jeans off, but there was no way in hell I was going to suggest it.

I spent the night in a man’s arms, and I’m so happy I didn’t panic that I could high-five Skeeter-The-Creeper.

The door to Kane and Jess’ room cracks open so light spills out onto the concrete pathway. I wasn’t coming out to knock on their door, but since it’s open…

I step forward and stop when my nose almost touches Jess’.

Her lips quiver with a smile. “What?”

I push her face away and laugh. “You know what! You’re freaks.” As soon as Kane walks out of the bathroom, I point. “You’re pigs. Both of you.”

He stops in the middle of the room with a tube of toothpaste in his hand, and his jeans slung low on trim, tattooed hips. “What’s your problem, Twink?”

“We heard you! We heard you forages! Do you have no shame?”

Smirking, he moves to his backpack. “I don’t know what you’re complaining about. Stop clutching at your pearls and admit you liked it.”

“I didn’t!” I pick up a balled pair of socks and peg them at his head. “Are you kidding me? Youknewwe could hear, but you did it anyway?”

“As if we didn’t hear you giggling.” He makes a mocking, giggling sound and goes about packing away his things. “Oh, Angelo. You’re so cute with the way you’re probably still a virgin.Giggle giggle.I’m so innocent, I love how we’re both virgins who pretend we aren’t turned on listening to the hot couple next door.Giggle giggle.”Jess snorts and walks away to begin packing her things. “Let’s just touch ourselves and admit we’re kinda horny.”

“I never said any of that.”

His brow lifts. “Don’t pretend like you weren’t thinking it. You kept listening because you were hoping he’d admit he’s into it, too, and put you both out of your misery.”

“No! That’s not–”

“Unfortunately for you, the man you’re hoping will make a move is scared of freaking you out. So this one’s on you; you’ve gotta make the first move. He’ll join the party once you put his dick in your mouth.”

“Kane!” Jess smacks his shoulder as she passes. “Stop being a pig.”

“I’m the only one on this trip willing to speak the truth! Look me in the damn eyes and tell me you’re not into him. He’s not listening right now, so admit it; you like him. You wanna know what it feels like to be with him. But you’re a soap bubble in his eyes, Twink. He’s never gonna make a move, so you need to start shaking your ass.”

“No. I don’t even know what you’re talking about, so shut your face.”

“You’re saying you don’t want him? You can literally look me in the eye and say that with a straight face? Fuckin’ liar. You want the dude, just go and tell him already!”

“Can you stop being so damn loud?” I hiss. “I don’t know if you noticed, but these walls are thinner than Jess’ orgasms. We can heareverything.”

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