Page 77 of A Shard of Ice

I nod, feeling sick. It isn’t a big deal. It really isn’t. I’ve slept with Damon before and on numerous occasions, but things are different now.

I follow Grigor up the stairs and into a long hallway. He opens a closet on the landing, handing me bedsheets. He takes out a blanket and we go down the hallway. The floorboards creak beneath our feet.

“This way.” Grigor leads me all the way to the end and through a door that also creaks when opened.

The bedroom is small but cozy. There’s a large four-poster bed with a canopy, and a window that must overlook the garden. It’s covered with a velvet drape that is old and faded. There is anold wooden chair in the corner. Grigor sets the bedding down on the bed, which is covered in a patchwork quilt.

“You should be comfortable,” he says. “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you, Grigor. I appreciate your hospitality,” I reply, trying to push down the nerves bubbling up inside me.

He gives me a small smile before leaving the room, closing the door behind him. I’m left alone in the dimly lit bedroom, the flickering light from a candle casting shadows on the walls.

I sit on the edge of the bed, my hands clasped tightly together. I sigh. Then I get up and get to work making up the bed, which looks altogether too small for my liking. Especially since I have to share with such a big male.

I get this churning in my belly. I push thoughts of Damon aside. I will be asleep by the time he gets here. It’snota big deal.

After taking off the dress and hanging it carefully over the back of the chair in the corner, I quickly climb into bed. Then I lie back on the soft pillows, pulling the blanket up to my chin and staring up at the canopy.

Sleep doesn’t come. It doesn’t matter how much I toss and turn. I even try counting hywolves. I try breathing in and out as I count but nothing works.

It is an age before the door to the bedroom opens, and Damon walks in. I close my eyes. I’ll pretend to be asleep. That’s the only thing for it.

I hear the floor creak as he enters. He stills and all is quiet for a few seconds. I think he’s watching me.

Even breathing.

Slow breathing.

I’m asleep. Argh, I wish I were facing the other way. I wish I’d blown out the candle.

The boards creak again as he turns and gently shuts the door. Damon sits on the small chair in the corner. The one my dressis folded over. I hear rustling. It sounds like he’s taking off his clothes.

No! It can’t be. I want so desperately to peek, but I can’t. Is he going to strip down naked?

“You can stop pretending to be asleep now, Ky.” There is a mischievous lilt to his voice.

I open my eyes, and he smiles. It’s like my lungs are being squeezed for a second because I can’t breathe.

Then I smile back. “How did you know?”

“I’ve slept in the same room with you a time or two. I know how you sound when you’re sleeping.”

“Really?” I don’t sound convinced. “I thought I was doing a good job pretending.”

“You would have had to pretend to snore to do a good job.”

“What? I don’t snore, Damon. Take that back.”

He chuckles, and I instantly warm just hearing it. “You don’t snore very often and then so softly that it’s hard to even hear…but I do know how you sound when you sleep, and I could tell that you weren’t.”

His chest is bare. His hair is wet and hanging about his neck and face. He’s in his braies, his muscular body on full display. I get his scent of fresh pine and cut grass. He also smells of rain. A little wild, a little untethered and yet familiar…of home.

“You shaved off your beard.”

He rubs his smooth face. “I prefer it like this.”

I think he looks great either way, but I’m not going to tell him that. Despite being attracted to each other, we are still just friends. We’re not going to be more. All of Damon’s reasons make sense, even if I don’t like it one bit.

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