Page 131 of The Female

“What’re we doing in here?” I ask.

Instead of answering, Silas turns away and pulls off his shirt. His back muscles flex as he tosses it toward his hamper, the fabric landing smoothly inside despite his halfhearted throw.

“Do you like to sleep in long pajamas or short ones?” he asks, pulling open his drawers.

I clear my throat.

“Short. Why are we in your room?”

I slide off his bed and step toward the door, hoping he won’t notice and I can sneak away. As much as I trust and am comfortable around Silas, I don’t think sleeping in the same bed with him is the right thing to do right now.

“I don’t trust Shay not to hurt you while I’m sleeping,” he says, turning and tossing some clothes in my direction.

I fumble to catch them, my cheeks reddening as I realize he’s thrown me a pair of boxers and a T-shirt. The fabric is soft, but the thought of wearing his things feels strangely intimate. I don’t want to get my feelings hurt by reading into these things.

“I have pajamas in my room,” I argue, clutching the items to my chest. “Don’t you have another bedroom in your wing? Gray does.”

Silas purses his lips before shaking his head.

“No, and we could’ve gotten your pajamas if you weren’t being so damn grumpy and argumentative. Now I’m mad and tired, so you’re going to wear those.”

I’m sure my face is as red as a tomato as he reaches for the button of his pants. The unmistakable sound of a zipper being pulled down echoes throughout the room, and I stare at the ceiling as fabric shifts and lands softly on the ground. Silas snorts, and I watch his shadow as he moves past me and into the bed.

“Can’t you sleep in Gray’s bed?” I try. “Then I can sleep in mine.”

“No, Charlie. I’m exhausted, so will you please stop being so fussy? You can stay on your side and I’ll stay on mine.”

I shake my head, refusing. “Gray won’t like that.”

Silas lies on his back, the sheets pulled up to the center of his chest. My attention shifts to the smattering of hair that covers his skin before I can think better of it, and I scowl as a satisfied smirk spreads across his lips.

“We both know Gray will be delighted to hear I’ve brought you to my room. He could walk in on us fucking and would happily stand by and wait for us to finish,” Silas snaps, sitting up. “Now get in the fucking bed before I tie you to the damn thing. You’re acting like a right brat tonight.”

My lips purse as I glare at him, and I angrily shove his clothing onto the mattress before yanking off mine. His eyes bore holes into my own as I rip off my shirt and sports bra, his gaze never once dropping below my chin as I throw his shirt on and repeat the action with the bottoms.

“Hamper,” he orders as I start to crawl into bed.

I grind my teeth and stomp to the laundry basket. He watches as I throw my clothes inside and walk back over, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.

“You’re a prick,” I snap as he continues his wordless gloating.

I’m sure I’ll regret my words when tomorrow comes and I’m no longer so tired and grumpy, but I feel nothing close to that right now as I rip back the covers and climb into bed.

Silas rolls over and turns off the bedside lamp as I settle.

I can practically hear my heart beating as we lie beside one another in the dark. My fingers twitch as I fight the urge to wiggle, and the more I resist, the more I want to fidget. Eventually, I can’t hold back any longer and start to shift. Silas remains silent as I adjust myself every few seconds, but he lets out a quiet sigh when thirty minutes pass and I don’t stop.

“What’s bothering you?” he asks, his voice thick with sleep.

I swallow around the lump in my throat and shrug.

There’s a rustling as he rolls over. I can’t see him in the dark, but I can feel his breath hitting the side of my face. He can probably see clear as day in the dark, and I desperately hope he doesn’t notice the wetness on my cheeks.

I feel stupid for crying.

Silas touches my arm, and I don’t pull away as he slides his hand over my stomach and curls it around my hip.

“Do you want to know your mother’s fate?” he whispers.

---