𝐼𝓃𝒻𝒶𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓉𝑒𝒹

Chapter 27- Protecting Him

Above: Thank you so much the_perfect_gal for this amazing and aesthetic book cover! You're awesome!

Simone's P.O.V.

I quickly rushed out of the lift, leaving Chase shocked.
I fucking giggled, too. Great. That sounded weird.

I smiled innocently as I leaned on the wall by our door. Chase huffed, rolling his eyes at me. But he was smiling. Genuinely.
And it seemed indescribably beautiful.

Without further ado, he unlocked the door.

We stepped into the room, as Chase turned on the lights. Looking at the room for a split second, something popped up in my mind.
I turned to Chase.
"Uh... you're fine with one room, right? I mean, I just wasn't thinking about the number of rooms needed or any detail at the lobby. Sorry, really." I said, shaking my head.

Chase listened to me as he took off his shoes. Then he looked at me, a small smile on his face.
"That's absolutely alright. I don't mind now."

I raised my brows. "Which means you probably aren't going to go down to that lobby and book another room for your comfort?"

He shook his head. "You were the one who said, 'it's just for one night', yes?" 

I smiled. "Fine. Well, better discuss the... bed sharing, y'know." I said, taking off my own high-heeled combat boots. I peeked at him from the corner of my eye, studying his amused expression.

He leaned by the console table. "Of course. Cris Beaumont always has her boundaries." He said in a humorous tone.

I hummed, smiling. "You don't expect me to snuggle up with you, do you?"

"I do hope. But I don't expect. Not from a girl like you, at least." He smirked.

I huffed. "Good. Well then," I said, going to the bed.
After using two spare pillows as a line of partition to divide the bed into two parts, I studied the arrangement for a second.
Still smiling that little smile of mine, I looked at Chase, who simply rolled his eyes.
"Whatcha think?" I asked smugly.

"I think you're weird." And once again, for the second time that night and the second time ever, shaking his head at me, he smiled genuinely. It made my heart flutter.
I couldn't understand why it appeared so... beautiful beyond words, to me.

I averted my gaze from his smile, rolling my eyes. "Thank you." I said in a tone of finality.
Without another word, I took my nightclothes I'd purchased from the thrift store, out of the bag, and went to the bathroom. I heard the boy behind me chuckle.

Once, I'd locked the door, I took a deep breath.
Could I handle this night without any heart-fluttering shit happening again? 

I quickly changed and looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. I'd chosen a white chemise and a pair of grey plaid pajamas. And a gray chenille sweater which cost me sort of a fortune, probably as it was pretty fabulous.
I slipped the sweater over my body, muttering a blessing to whoever's sweater this used to be. It almost reached my mid-thighs. I washed my face, cleaning it from the makeup, then dried it. 
 Chase was probably dressed by now, too. 

I heard a loud crack of thunder outside, just then. 
I smiled at my reflection, pretty satisfied with how I looked. And also at the rain and the thunderstorm. I've always loved that sort of weather. Add wintery weather to that list.

I took a deep breath and opened the door, just as another loud flash of lightning broke out in the sky.
Sweet.

Ready to face some flattering/teasing comment from Chase on my outfit, I opened the door and stepped out of the bathroom. The flashes of lightning kept breaking out in the sky.