Page 26 of Deep in Her Marrow

Islowlybegintowake up, feeling as though I’m back in the dessert with how hot I am and immediately realize why I’m so warm. Although another part of me has obviously been awake for a while and is standing at attention because of my human blanket.

I lay still, not wanting to wake the woman who is acting as my personal furnace. Because I know damn well, she’s still asleep, otherwise she would’ve moved far from me.

Everything from last night begins to come back to me.

After our kiss in the kitchen, I practically sprinted to my bedroom. I had to change out of my jeans before my dick had a permanent imprint of my zipper. It took me longer than I would like to admit to be able to calm my raging libido. That all went to hell the minute I walked into the kitchen and saw the way she was practically eye fucking me while staring at my sweatpants. I did make a mental note to wear those around her as often as I could though.

I still can’t believe the way she put my ass in place over my mother. It brings a smile to my face remembering how fierce she was while basically telling me I’m acting like an asshole. Those little glimpses of the woman she is under all of that hurt is amazing to see. It lets me know that once upon a time, my sprite was absolutely fearless and, I plan to do everything in my power to give that back to her, no matter how long it takes.

After basically getting my ass handed to me, I figured it would be best to retreat for a while, especially while she had a big ass knife next to her. I haven’t lived this long by being stupid. I came out and sat my ass down on the couch to watch some TV while trying to get some work done. Even if it was pointless since I couldn’t focus on anything but the sounds coming from my kitchen. It was even worse once the smells began to permeate the air. My mouth was watering so bad, I was surprised I didn’t end up with a puddle of drool on my floor. No wonder JT and Draven have fought over the shit she takes into the shop; I’d fight a fucker too.

I decided to make myself useful and ordered some dinner which arrived just in time for her to be able to sit and enjoy it. Thanks to being around the shop so much, ya know visiting Edge, I knew what she would want. I was unprepared for how much she could eat though. It doesn’t seem possible for someone so damn tiny to be able to put away a kani salad, vegetable dumplings, and a quart of shrimp pad thai. But holy shit, she ate every bite of it and even had some of my Peking duck. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, wondering where the fuck she put it all.

Eventually, she went back into the kitchen and came out when she was done cooking and waiting for some of the bowls to soak or some shit. We ended up watching a baking show, which I was able to click on before she was able to see it pop up in my list of favorites. No need to be answering questions I don’t have answers to that wouldn’t be a lie. At some point she passed out while she was curled up next to me. I didn’t dare move because I didn’t want to chance her moving away from me.

We must’ve laid down during the night with her climbing on top of me and me shielding her from falling off the couch. The angle of my neck and the crimp in it lets me know that I didn’t move a muscle after that. Shit, I’m gonna need to take some aspirin soon; I’m too old to be sleeping on couches anymore.

Hearing her sweet sigh as she cuddles into me even more makes it all worth it though. I would sleep like this every night if it meant she was right here with me. However, that sigh is not helping me get my dick under control and, the last thing I need is for her to wake up and feel it. She may have kissed me back last night, but that doesn’t mean she might not regret it this morning.

That thought is like a kick to the nuts that makes me instantly deflate. I lost control, not something I ever do, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. Even when my brain was screaming at me not to push her. The last thing I want to do is scare her away, but fuck, I had to taste her. Those lips are like a siren’s call that I can’t help but answer.

I’m not sure how long I lay here, enjoying the feel of her little breaths on my neck but, I instantly know the moment she wakes. Well, more so the second her brain processes where she is. Her sharp inhale and her body going ridged is a dead giveaway.

“Mornin’, Sprite.” My voice is gruff from not being used all night.

“This is real?” she whispers into my chest, not making eye contact at all.

I smirk. “Why would you think this is a dream?” I would give my left nut to know.

Her head and eyes shoot up to mine, while a pretty blush spreads across her cheeks. “Oh, um, erm, no reason. It’s just that, you know, I’m normally in my own bed, alone,” she sputters making me wish I could laugh. The look on her face is hysterical but, I have a feeling I would be dealing with a very pissed off woman if I laughed.

“Yeah, I guess this would be a weird dream then.”

Her lips purse. “Especially since mine are usually nightmares,” she mutters before her eyes go wide. She begins looking around, her head swinging back and forth rapidly. “It’s morning?” Her tone is almost awe-like.

I nod my head. “Yeah, darlin’, that’s how it works,” I say gently knowing there’s another reason.

She blinks rapidly as her eyes begin to mist. “I haven’t slept through the night in years.”

And that hits me like a fucking punch to the gut. Jesus, I can’t even imagine the way she’s been living. It takes everything in me to stay calm and not ask her what the fucker’s name is and where I can find him. But find him I will, I vow silently; soon enough he’ll know the fear that he caused her.

“I’m sorry,” she sniffles and tries to wipe her eyes, effectively elbowing me in the throat, causing me to grunt. “Oh crap! I’m so sorry!” she says with wide eyes before she promptly burst into tears.

I sit up, taking her with me, praying to God my dick doesn’t realize she’s straddling my lap. Luckily, with her crying, it’s easier to keep him under control. I wrap my arms around her as I rub her back gently. A few days ago, this much contact would’ve sent her spiraling. But it seems to have the opposite effect thankfully.

She nuzzles into me and lays her head on my shoulder while crying silent tears.

“Cadie, you have nothing to be sorry about.” I try to make my voice as soothing as possible.

“It’s just so weird not to wake up tired. Or to not wake up screaming. I was warm and happy. It’s so strange to feel like that when I wake up from sleep,” she sniffles a bit more into my chest. “Especially with a man so close to me. My body usually makes sure that I don’t relax enough to sleep well when that happens,” she states absentmindedly. I remain quiet, just rubbing her back so that she keeps telling me a bit of what her life was like before her walls are put back into place. “Honestly, I haven’t felt this good since the last time I stayed with my parents and even that was years ago.” Her voice is so sad and wistful, filled with longing.

I take a chance and decide to ask something that’s been bothering me for a while. “Honey, why didn’t you go stay with them?” I leave out when she ran. But the way she’s mentioned little things about them to other people and now myself over the last year, makes me think she’s very close to them.

“Because he would’ve found me there and, I didn’t want to cause any trouble for them,” she whimpers and I pull her even closer.

“Cadie, I’m sure they would’ve moved mountains to help you.” The little tidbits I’ve garnered makes them sound as though they’re really good parents. I can’t imagine them not wanting to help and protect her.

She pulls back from me enough to look into my eyes while blowing out a breath, making her hair flutter all around. In the morning light, her hair looks like golden strands glowing in a messy halo. “Oh, they absolutely would, but that’s the problem.” She ignores my questioning look and continues. “They had me late in life. Like the kind of late where my mother thought she was going through menopause when she was pregnant. They didn’t even figure it out until my mother was over five months along because she finally went to the doctor annoyed at how much weight menopause was causing her to gain.” Her giggle makes my heart skip a beat. “My dad still says that they both sat at home in stunned silence for hours that day before they got their buts in gear.”

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