Crescent

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Heat wakes me from a dreamless slumber. I try to roll over under the thick blankets, but an arm is pinning me down. I glance under the covers to find a tan arm wrapped around my waist and holding my against a firm body. Half asleep, I panic for a moment thinking it's Derek, but then I realize without a doubt that this is Alexander.

I'd like nothing more than to submit to his embrace, but I can't stand the thought that I'm in bed with another man. I swiftly slide out from his arm and stand beside the bed, stretching. Based on the barely-there light streaming from the window, I'd bet its early in the morning just as the sun is rising.

I remember that Alexander is going to need sustenance, so I pad softly to the bedroom door and exit into the living room. I spot my suitcase beside the couch, and unzip it carefully. Every sound seems amplified in the quiet room, so I take extra caution pulling everything I need out. Since it seems everyone is still asleep, I change quickly in the living room so as not to chance to bother Alexander. Once everything is packed back up, I make my way to the kitchen.

There's plenty of food in the fridge, and I pause for a moment to think about what to make. There are six of us here, many of who eat a ton of food per sitting. I drag out anything and everything I can see that would make good breakfast food and eventually resign to make breakfast burritos. I make quick work of scrambling eggs, cooking sausage, and chopping and frying potatoes and carrots. I make a salsa with fresh ingredients and a spicy crema for topping or dipping. The tortillas are warming in the oven while I grate a block of cheese to go inside the burritos, just as the first stragglers enter the kitchen.

Tom and Daniel are the first ones in. They both have very tousled hair obviously not having showered yet, and I do a double take. Like Alexander, the extremely fit boys have resigned themselves to permanently shirtless, and sitting on Tom's shoulder - right where his neck and shoulder meet - is a pale scar. It outlines a crescent shape with two larger circles both on the front and the back of his shoulder.

My eyes flick over to Daniel, who is also sporting a scar on the same spot. It's smaller, by a lot, but it's obviously there if you look for it.

"You too are mates!" I whisper-yell.

Daniel's eyes narrow. "How do you know what that means?"

"Alexander told me," I state proudly.

The boys glance at each other before back at me. "What all did he tell you," Tom questions slowly.

"Um," I start before hissing in pain. My knuckle accidentally scrapes the sharp part of the cheese grater and I wince as a small spot of blood pools. Not two seconds later, Alexander is almost running out of the bedroom, eyes searching the area. As soon as he spots me cradling my hand, he's in front of me and taking it gently to examine it. He places my knuckle in his mouth and repeats the same sucking and licking movement from last night. I blush, watching as Tom and Daniel gape at their boss being so gentle with me. Once he's finished, we all watch the wound close up without a scar.

"There you go, little one," Alexander murmurs.

"I made breakfast," I say, my eyes never leaving his.

Something flickers in the green depths of his eyes, and they crinkle at the corners as he smiles. "You didn't have to do that." He squeezes my hand. "But I'm glad you did. I'm starving."

He's so close and I can hardly breathe, barely even registering that Tom and Daniel are still staring at us. "I'll make you a plate," I say breathlessly.

"Thank you," he says just as breathless.

Once he lets go of my hand, my mind clears and I hurry to pull out any cheese that might have blood on it. Then, I start making burritos.