Page 26 of Room Ten: Praise Times Three

9

LETI

Iwake up alone, but I hear their voices outside the room and smell coffee and bacon and something sweet like cinnamon rolls.

“You’re awake.” Caiden comes into the bedroom carrying a mug.

Yawning, I stretch my arms over my head. “Wow. I really zonked out.”

“You needed to sleep. How do you feel?” He sits on the edge of the bed, just out of reach.

I bite my lip and glance down at the space between us. It feels like a mile, although it’s only a couple of inches. Is he distancing himself after the way I acted last night? I know female emotions make most men uncomfortable. They certainly make my father uneasy.

My fingers twitch as I tamp down a desperate need to reach out to him. “Silly. I’m so sorry for the way I carried on last night.”

He smiles and fingers a lock of my hair, demonstrating how close we really are right now. “We have a new rule in this house.”

“What’s that?”

“You are no longer allowed to say ‘I’m sorry’.” He winks and lightly taps the tip of my nose.

“I’m—”

He raises his brow, effectively cutting me off.

Blushing, I bite my lip again, swallowing down the wordsorry.

“Good girl.” Smiling, he stands up and takes a sip from his mug. “Are you hungry?”

“I am.”

“Good. Reese and I have been cooking all morning, but we are waiting for you. Why don’t you do what you need to do in the bathroom and then come meet us in the kitchen so we can start our day?”

He leaves, almost closing the door behind him, but leaving it open just a crack to show he’s not locked out, and I’m not locked in. I find it odd how every movement these men make seems to be deliberate, as if they design every action with my feelings in mind.

Rushing into the bathroom, I make quick work of the toothbrush and toothpaste, a washcloth, and some facial soap. I brush the tangles out of my hair and pull it up into a ponytail, using a soft scrunchie I find on the counter. I don’t remember the facial cleanser or the hair products being there last night, but I was in such a state, maybe I missed them?

It’s warm this morning, so I pull off the sweatshirt, leaving me in their soft cotton T-shirt and walk down the hallway to meet them in the kitchen. Caiden is sitting at the table with his coffee while Reese leans against the corner of the counters with his arms crossed around his wide chest. Soren sits in the living room with his computer on his lap.

“Good morning.” Reese uncrosses his arms and beckons me to him with a crook of his finger. He went from closed off and formidable to welcoming with that one motion, and I can’t stop my feet as I nearly run into his open arms. He engulfs me with his long muscled limbs, his chest hard and yet soothing at the same time. I melt against him, feeling loving warmth radiate off of his skin.

Maybe I’m imagining it.

Maybe I am making something out of nothing, turning years of fairytales and fantasies into a false reality, but I don’t care.

At this moment, happiness runs through my veins.

“How did you sleep, doll?” Reese’s words rumble through his chest, making me not only hear, but feel him.

“Good. What time is it?”

“It’s almost one.”

I lift my head. “One in the afternoon? Oh my gosh, I had no idea I slept so long. I apologize for my outburst last night.”

Behind us, Caiden clears his throat. “What did you just say?”

Grinning, I turn to look at him. “You said I couldn’t say the S-word.”

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