Chapter forty-five

Levi

Lying on the couch, I stared up into the dark ceiling as I listened to the snow still falling outside. It had to be at least two in the morning, but I couldn’t sleep. Not when the woman of my dreams was only one door away. But I had to be patient… move on her terms…allow her control of the situation so I could keep mine.

Two years. I couldn’t have stayed away for longer. It would’ve been impossible, but I had to. I had to stay away so she could be free, I had to stay away to learn how to control my anger and impulses,and I had to stay away so I could deal with my father.

He was the major source of my frustration, so I had to find time and headspace to deal with him. Being preoccupied with my Tesoro could not only put her in danger, but it would cause me to fail… I couldn’t let that happen.

Hearing the sound of purring, I felt the cat jump up onto my chest happily. He had been more clingy than I was previously used to, but a small part of me missed him. He began affectionately clawing at my chest, and I simply lay there as Iattempted to fall asleep. However, the sound of a small sneeze emerging from the bedroom caused my eyes to fly open.

Only then did I notice the heat of the complex had gone out, and the space heaters in the living room and in Teegan’s bedroom were on overdrive. I wasn’t that cold, but my Tesoro got cold quickly. I remember her little hands and feet were like icicles when it was cold, and she used to press them against me for a bit of warmth in the past.

Hearing another sneeze, I stood with the cat on my shoulder before going into the kitchen. I boiled a bit of water for a few minutes before making her some chamomile tea with honey and almond milk.

Putting it in one of her little mugs, I walked over to her bedroom and listened tomy poor babysneeze again. The door was slightly ajar, so I knocked a bit and caught a glimpse of her shivering in her bed, the space heater trying its best to work.

I pushed the door open slowly and ignored her intoxicating scent that filled the room. Upon getting to her bedside, she sniffled softly as she opened her eyes slightly. She sat up, curious but sleepy, and I handed her the tea. She took a few sips, and before I knew it, she’d finished.

“Thank you,” she whispered, and I nodded.

“I can bring the space heater from the living room in here if you need it,” I offered sincerely, and she shook her head slightly.

“I…I don’t know if it’ll help much right now, and I don’t want you to be cold.”

“I don’t want you to worry about me,Tesoro… but I can’t help but worry about you. You’re freezing. I don’t want you to catch a cold in the morning.”

“I-I know,” she whispered, lying back down shivering, and I paused for a moment. An idea came to mind—not a very good one, but an idea nonetheless. I stood up, and she watched mecuriously as I let Grayson on the ground and pulled back the blanket.

Keeping direct eye contact with her, I lay down beside her as she watched cautiously. I held my arm out slightly as I leaned on my elbow, and she bit her lip in worry.

Why wouldn’t she be worried? I’d broken her trust and brought her only pain… who’s to say I wouldn’t do it again?

“I just want to help, Teegan,” I said as calmly as I could, and after a moment of thinking, I felt her throw herself into my arms, my body heat immediately transferring over to her. She hugged me close as I pulled her in by the waist. Though I could have been imagining it, the hug felt warm and laced with affection and appreciation.

“I-It’s so cold,” she whispered, and I sighed as I felt her chilly arms and legs against me.

“I know, baby, I know… I got you,” I whispered and slightly cursed myself for letting it slip; however, she didn’t say anything, only pulled me in even closer as she sniffled softly. Not long after that, I could tell she’d fallen asleep.

My eyes wandered over her comfortable state for some time, and I couldn’t help but pull her in closer as I breathed in her familiar scent, finally scratching the incessant itch that ached for her in my arms, that ached for her closeness. Finally feeling content, my eyes closed, and I felt myself slowly drifting off to do the same.

Teegan

Waking up slowly, I noticed I was by myself in my bed. It was around seven AM, and I’d definitely slept in longer than I wanted to. However, I knew my coordinators would push back some things in the hospital to give us some time to get in with the snow, and I was grateful for the extra few hours of sleep I got. Getting out of bed, I got ready for the day before walking to the kitchen to make some more tea.

Soon, Levi opened the door to my apartment, and I saw him in different clothes, his hair freshly washed, and a shovel in hand.

“Good morning, Teegan,” he said, taking off his coat and boots, and I nodded softly.

“Morning... you’ve been pretty busy,” I remarked as I took a small sip from my mug, and he nodded, fixing his dark green turtleneck sweater.

“Had to clean the snow by my car and yours,” he replied.

I held the cup in my hands, feeling thankfulness and guilt coming over me.

“You didn’t have to…” I said softly, and he shook his head.

“Of course I did,” he muttered, walking over to me slowly.