Page 64 of Only Human in Strangeville

“Trying,” I grumbled.

Nimbus huffed softly and twisted so he could look at me.

“Sorry, buddy.”

He gave me a soft nose kiss and went back to sleep. This time without the quiet snores.

I held out my hand to Oliver and when he took it, tugged him down onto the bed so he sat next to where I lay. “I’m glad you’re here. Thank you for coming for me.”

“Always, Hannah. Mind if I join you for a bit? I’m having trouble sleeping, and it seems like you are, as well.”

“Please do.” The amount of relief I felt having Oliver there was almost overwhelming. “We won a battle, but we’re not anywhere near safe. They’re going to come after us again, aren’t they?”

“Yes. But we’ll be ready. We’re going back to Beechworth and preparing the town. They can try to take you and Nimbus, but everyone will fight.”

“But, Oliver, that puts so many people in danger. Wouldn’t it be better to run somewhere with a lot of sun? Like the equator? Or like a boat that stays in the sunlight all the time? Can a boat even travel that fast?” I was babbling and being ridiculous and we both knew it, but I didn’t want an entire town fighting and possibly getting hurt, or killed, just to save me.

He twisted around and pressed his lips to my forehead. “This isn’t just about you, Hannah. Yes, we want to save you, obviously, but Vito and his people have been skirting the edges of Beechworth’s sanctuary for years now. They’ve just made a direct attack on something that is ours, and if we don’t respond, they’ll just keep coming. And now that they’ve attacked us, we have the excuse we needed to go after them.”

“What did they attack that’s yours?” I couldn’t remember them going after anyone but me or Nimbus. Well, maybe when they’d attacked us at Bridger’s house. Or maybe when they’d staked Katsuro?

“You, Hannah. You and Nimbus. You’re part of Beechworth and they broke the truce by going after you.”

My throat thickened with emotion for a moment before I got control of myself. “But I just moved here. Surely they will say I’m not really part of the truce.”

“There’s an entire town that would disagree with you, and with them should they argue against it.”

“I don’t even know what to say. I’m honored.”

“And we’re glad to have you.”

At my invitation, Oliver lay down next to me and wrapped his arms around me so I could snuggle into his chest. Needing to be closer, I tangled my legs with his and pressed against him as tightly as I could.

“I don’t want anyone hurt on my account.”

“I know, Hannah, but remember, it’s not just because of you. This has been coming for a long time, but we weren’t going to be the first ones to break the truce.”

“Okay.”

I inhaled his scent and tilted my head so I could kiss his neck. Oliver’s hands tightened on my back and his breath hitched. The energy between us shifted, and he looked down at me, hunger in his eyes.

“Will we disturb anyone?”

Amusement joined the hunger in his expression. “We’re in a house full of beings with super senses. Yes.”

“Oh.” Disappointment tempered my growing lust.

“Hannah, they sent me in here to make sure you were alright.”

I perked up. “Did they, now?”

“Yes. Undoubtably, there were multiple willing individuals, but you and I have already been together. I’m sure they won’t be surprised if we do more than just cuddle.”

My needy desire roared to life, and I licked my lips. “Do you want to do more than cuddle?”

“I would like nothing more at the moment.”

I thought I detected a slight tremor in Oliver’s hands where he clutched me against him.

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