The Dark of You (GxG)

37. Are you hungry?

I opened my eyes and found Rylan on the way to the bedroom door.

"Where are you going?" I asked as I picked up my phone to check the time, which stated it was five in the morning.

"I'm going upstairs," She replied and rubbed my tired eyes and went out of bed to go to her side.

"It's still very early," I yawned but noticed that she had already changed clothes for the day.

"I know, you should go back to sleep," She told me as she reached for the door handle.

"I'll come with you," I said and she stopped to face me in confusion.

"Since I'm already up, why not?" I shrugged and Rylan bit her bottom lip as she gazed at me for a long moment.

"You might want to change clothes," She looked down at me and so did I.

"What? You think my old shirt and sweatpants are inappropriate?" I rested my hands on my hips to pretend to feel offended. Rylan furrowed her eyebrows as she took another glance down at me. There was some kind of hint of softness in her eyes that was really hard to spot, but once I found it, it made me smile.

"No," She only said, but she didn't utter another word. I stumbled to my suitcase and picked out a few pieces of clothes to change into in the bathroom.

When I was all done, I went along with Rylan up the stairs as quietly as we could to not wake up the rest of the house. I clutched my stomach as it made a loud noise. Rylan turned to me, baffled by the sound and looked down at my belly.

"Are you hungry?" She asked and I bit my lip as I avoided her gaze.

"Maybe," I mumbled as my cheeks flushed with unbearable heat.

"Come on," She indicated for me to follow her into the kitchen. I leaned against the counter as she brought out a bowl. Then went into the fridge and pulled out milk and eggs. Then, she pulled out the flour and sugar in one of the cabinets until she found every ingredient she needed and placed them on the counter.

"What are we making?" I asked as though my tired brain couldn't put the pieces together.

"Pancakes," She shrugged and I smiled.

"Do you need help?" I asked, but she shook her head.

"Are you sure?" I wondered, but the glare she gave me answered my question. As I didn't know what to do with myself, I looked around the kitchen. It's spacious with an island in the middle of the floor—counters made of marble and white cabinets and drawers. It's so light and inviting. With all the kids Shantelle and Tucker have in the house, of course, they needed a huge kitchen to be able to feed all of them.

I looked back at Rylan, who was preoccupied with mixing up the pancakes. I pushed myself up to sit on the counter next to the stove. Rylan raised an eyebrow but didn't mention a word as she went to find a frying pan. She placed it on the stove and turned the heat up.

As she waited, she stared out the window lost somewhere in thoughts. She's so zoned out that she stands frozen in her spot. Her chest moves along with her soft breath. It's the only movement her towering body makes. I let out a yawn as I know I should probably have needed a few more hours of sleep. However, I had already left the bed and perhaps I wanted to be around Rylan before the rest of her family would wake up.

They are all so lovely and so far, I have enjoyed my time with them. I loved how everyone sang happy birthday to Rylan yesterday as Shantelle came with a cake. Rylan was obviously uncomfortable with the whole situation, but her family looked past it. I presume they are used to it. I adore how sweet and loving they are to one another. I've always wanted what Rylan has and to witness the love and care it's heartwarming, but as well heartbreaking. I'm jealous so to speak. It's painful to know I could in some way have had this. Yet, I didn't. 

Rylan breathed deeply in and then came to my side. "Could you please move to the side so I can get a spatula?" She asked quietly and pointed at the drawer behind my legs. I gazed down and was about to shift, but then a different idea came to mind. With a sly bright grin, I looked into  Rylan's deep blue as I opened my legs. The firm look in her eyes turned into alarm, but she tucked it away quickly. With a sigh, she opened the drawer. I pressed my lips together to hide the laugh that wanted to escape. She picked out the spatula. My amusement vanished in a flash as she stood right in front of me. I swallowed deeply as the intensity in her blue eyes drifted down to my lips. Her own lips parted as she slipped out a silent breath. There is a battle on her expression. She's fighting the want so hard it's become evidently excruciating for her. I opened my mouth but words wouldn't come out. Guilt gripped a strong hand around my heart. What have I done to her? I've led her on a path of conflict and affliction. Rylan doesn't deserve this pain and I've made it worse. 

I was about to slide further back on the counter when she took another step closer. Her body was pressed against the counter between my legs. Her intriguing lips are so near my own. I'm scared if I let out a breath, she would come to her senses and walk away. Yet, the look of desire and uncertainty is dancing around in her eyes. She laid her hands on the counter beside my hips. I'm not sure if she did it to restrain herself or to come closer.

My impatience completely took over. I raised my legs to wrap them around her waist tightly. Too scared she would fight herself out of my grip if I didn't hold her strong enough. I grabbed her shoulders to pull and her lips came down to my own without resistance. The temptation to taste her made me give in. I couldn't have stopped myself even if it had saved my life. That is how powerful I'm drawn to her.

Rylan's lips touched mine with such a force as if it's been a painful longing for her. If that is the case, I can't help but feel the same way. The scent of Rylan washed over me as I pulled her closer by the cheeks, more robust than I expected that I had to lean backward. She smells like rain in the summer. A freshness that I could have drowned in forever if I had the opportunity. 

I nipped at her bottom lip with my teeth, but my breath hitched as Rylan grabbed a hold of my hips. I firmly held onto her around her neck as if no matter how much our lips touched, it doesn't do any justice to what I want. Because what I feel for her has dug so deep that it has locked a chain around my heart.

She moved back from me as we both needed air and if only I could have painted the way she is watching me right now. The hard and cold look has disappeared from her eyes. Instead, tenderness and warmness are dancing around in her blue colors.

Rylan was about to say something, but the sound of running feet broke our contact. A frown formed on Rylan's face as she noticed she had forgotten the pan on the stove. I cleared my throat as Rylee came into the kitchen in a sprint and stopped next to Rylan.

"What are you making?" She asked as she laid her hands on the counter to stand up on her toes.

"Pancakes," Rylan answered the little girl as she drained some of the batters onto the pan.

"Can I have some?" The little girl asked with a huge, excited grin.

"Of course," Rylan responded with a smile. I bit my swollen lip and the image of Rylan's lips on mine made my cheeks flush.

"Why are you sitting on the counter?" Rylee walked past Rylan and came to my side.

"Because I wanted to," I smiled and jumped back down onto the floor.

"Mommy says we shouldn't sit on the counter," She wrinkled her nose and it was the cutest thing.

"And she is right," I agreed with Rylee and she just shrugged as she didn't know what to say.

"Can you get me a plate?" Rylan nudged her head at the cabinet a few rows down from her as she turned the pancake around.

"Sure," I placed my hands onto Rylan's waist as I passed her to make sure I didn't knock anything down on the kitchen island behind me. I grabbed a plate out of the cabinet and placed it next to the stove by Rylan. I was about to go back in place when I noticed Shantelle at the door. My mouth opened to say good morning, but like yesterday she had that stunned look on her face as if I had committed a crime.

"Rylan's making pancakes," Rylee said and that brought Shantelle out of her trance.

"That's nice," She said as the little girl stood in front of her. Yet, a certain look in her eyes never seemed to go away.