Page 14 of What Haunts the Heart
6
Eden
We spent the next couple of days together, touching and kissing, talking and reminiscing. Making up for lost time, as Oakley had so aptly put it. But I could feel his desperation in every tender embrace. I could feel his inner-turmoil in the frantic way he kissed me, like I was slipping right through his fingers, and it broke my heart.
In a way, it felt like he was saying goodbye all over again, just with his body instead of with his words.
I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. In fact, I might never be ready to say goodbye.
I needed to convince him to stay, somehow. I needed to convince him that his happiness didn’t have to end with a couple of miserable wedding vows. How, though? I wasn’t sure, but I’d figure something out.
I had to, because I didn’t think I could handle losing him again.
Shoving those thoughts aside, I rolled over in bed, taking the sheets with me. I laid on my stomach and gazed at Oakley. He was on his back, fast asleep, his lips doing thatpffftthing every time he exhaled. It wasn’t quite a snore, but it was cute as hell.
His sandy blond hair was tousled from last night’s escapades, swept off to the side of his face. His square jawline boasted the perfect amount of stubble that tufted off into a neatly-trimmed goatee. Even his lashes were pale with a reddish tint, and the tiny freckles that spotted his cheeks were one of the first things I’d noticed about him.
He was so damn gorgeous that it hurt—and I was hit with a stroke of genius. Maybe if I reminded him of all the reasons we worked out so well in the first place, he’d make the decision to stay? If I could just get him to realize what he was going to lose…
I worried my bottom lip between my teeth for a moment, then rolled out of bed with a flourish. I did my best thinking in the shower, so I grabbed a clean pair of blue manties out of my underwear drawer and let my sleeping Alpha lie.
Once the faucet ran hot and steam began to fog up the bathroom mirror, I slipped beneath the spray and groaned. Oh damn, did that feel good. I dropped my head back and let the water soak through my hair.
Normally, keeping unicorn hair bright was a hassle that involved cold showers and lots of bleeding color onto towels, but I was lucky enough to have friends who knew magic. Add a little “fairy dust” to my conditioner and voila! I had peacock hair to match my peacock personality.
As I soaped up, my mind wandered back to the very first time Oakley and I met. Chester had told me that Kinsley’s younger brother would be coming to Vale Valley to be his best man, but I didn’t expect for him to rock my world. Kinsley was a handsome guy, sure, but not exactly my type.
Oakley, on the other hand? Damn.
I barely made it through the ceremony. Just the scent of him kicked my hormones into high gear. I couldn’t wait for my chance to pounce—and pounce I did. We got frisky in the broom closet at the reception hall, and later that night at the inn.
I’d always prided myself on being the one-and-done kind of guy, but when Oakley asked me out to breakfast the following morning, I couldn’t say no. There was something different about him. There always had been. I didn’t really believe in destiny or fated mates, but if I did? Oakley might’ve been “the one” for me.
Now I had to prove to him that I might be “the one” for him.
Mostly dry and wearing nothing but my underwear, I pranced into the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee. It wasn’t long before the scent of roasted coffee beans drew Oakley out of his dreams. He meandered into the kitchen, buck-ass naked.
“Smells good.”
“It is good,” I said over the rim of my coffee mug. I took a sip, savoring the rich and flavorful taste of my favorite brand. A dash of coconut creamer and some sugar and I was set. The only way it could’ve been better is if I had a couple of shots of espresso to add to the mix.
Oakley yawned and scratched at his stomach. He poured himself a cup and joined me at the table, still looking half-asleep.
After a moment, he glanced up at me. “Want me to make breakfast?”
“Actually, I was thinking we could go out for breakfast today.” I leaned forwards, folding my arms in front of me. His eyes glinted with curiosity, so I went on. “Remember that diner we went to, the morning after the wedding? We should totally go, for old time’s sake.”
He wrinkled his nose. “The food wasn’t even that good.”
That was true. I’d definitely had better, but it was the principle of the idea. “Pretty please, with a cherry on top? Don’t make me break out the puppy-dog eyes.”
He nearly snorted out his coffee. “Egads! Not the puppy-dog eyes.”
I kicked his shin. “Who even says ‘egads’ anymore?”
“Me, apparently.”
“So, finish your coffee and jump in the shower. Hurry up, I’m hungry.”
