The Last Genie: A Novella

Chapter 24

After dinner, Ithel drove them back to Claire's apartment, but didn't make a move to get out, so Grace asked, "Are we doing this again?"

"No. I just thought considering how late it was you would be going to bed soon."

"I am. Are you not?"

"No. I probably will, but I thought I'd get a hotel or something."

"It's too late for you to try and find a hotel, and I'm not letting you sleep in this car. Tomorrow we'll find a place for us to live, but come on inside now."

"You want us to live together?"

"Yeah, I think it makes the most sense for us."

"But, what about Kari?"

"I'm done living with Kari. My mom and I talked about this. I think we need some space from each other."

Living together would make their situation much easier at least for a little while, but Ithel still wasn't sure about spending the night at Claire's. So, he said, "Ok, but do you think Clair will be ok with me sleeping on the couch."

"I don't know about that. She can be kind of particular, but whatever if she isn't back yet, you can just sleep with me."

Grace wasn't sure where she got the confidence to be so forward. Maybe it was the few beers she had or maybe it was how happy Ithel made her feel, but she was happy she did.

Ithel was speechless.

"What? We're both adults, and we both need our sleep."

Ithel doubted he would be able to sleep much lying next to her, but he didn't want to go against her wishes. So, he said, "Fine."

Claire wasn't inside. So, Grace went to get ready first. As she was brushing her teeth, she kept thinking of the look of surprise on Ithel's face when she suggested they sleep together, and her enthusiasm over the evening slowly drained out of her.

So, after brushing her teeth, she put on her normal pajamas and got into bed. Ithel joined her shortly, and after exchanging goodnights, Grace turned off the light. The bed was big enough that they didn't touch, but Ithel knew she was there. He could feel her warmth, and her smell was exhilarating. He wanted to touch her, to hold her, to kiss her, but he couldn't.

Grace too could feel his distinctly manlypresence next to her and hoped, oh how she hoped, that he would move closer so thatshe would feel his skin against hers, but he didn't, and she couldn't find thenerve to move closer to him.