Into Every Stranger Generation

Chapter 20

 Becca moaned softly in her sleep, attempting to stretch but finding she was unable to. Her sleep muddled brain began to register the skin pressed against hers, her cheek resting against a toned chest, two strong arms wound around her tightly, soft waves brushing her forehead and cheeks.

She smiled, remembering last night. Remembering how Eddie had said the words back. She had been so scared that she had ruined everything. Finding out he felt the same way was like breaking the surface of the water and inhaling that precious deep breath of air when you were drowning.

It was the definition of insanity, feeling this way so quickly after meeting. But really, who decided what was too soon? Who got to tell them how they felt? All Becca knew was that falling for him was instinctive, like breathing. The English language contained millions of words, but none of them adequately described how she felt when she was around Eddie. In such a short time, he had become a vital piece of her.

Her fingers traced over his tattoos on his chest, a black widow and some kind of demon head. She pressed her lips against them, inhaling the scent of his skin. Eddie moaned softly in his sleep, pulling her in even closer. Becca gazed up at his face, her thumb tracing along those perfectly full lips, the cheek where that dimple that undid her appeared. His lovely locks spread across the pillow, crowning his head like a magnificent mane. Jesus, she could just lay here watching him forever and she would be content.

The knock at the door signaled that it was not to be. Becca groaned, annoyed at the disruption. She was looking forward to just laying here, tranquilly cradled in the comfort of his arms. Clearly others had other ideas.

Slipping away from him, her body protesting, she searched the floor for all of her clothes. Shit. She had taken them off outside. Were her clothes just laying in a pile in the goddamn grass for everyone to see? Ugh. Slapping a hand to her forehead, she moved to the dresser, searching through until she came up with a Judas Priest shirt and some sweats. The incessant knocking continued as she pulled them on hastily, running her hand over her hair, before heading to the door and opening it.

"It is about time. I think I may have found something helpful or, at least, something that could lead us to something that is helpful," Malcolm muttered in frustration as he barreled into the house, pulling his glasses from his face. Turning to face her, he looked her up and down, taking in her attire. "Good lord, were you still sleeping at this hour?"

"You know, I do spend most nights out fighting evil instead of sleeping like most people. I have to get my rest at some point," Becca snapped.

"Yes," Malcolm muttered, his eyes moving to the bedroom doorway where Eddie lay, still asleep, covered with nothing but a sheet. "I am certain you were getting plenty of rest last night. Are you sure this is a smart decision Becca?"

"Honestly, I don't know if it's smart," she said, throwing her hands up, "but I genuinely don't care. I know how I feel. I know how he makes me feel. Why is it so wrong for the two of us to love each other?"

"Love!" Malcolm shrieked. "You've known each other for less than a week and you think you love him? Bloody hell, Becca, every time I think you are growing more mature, becoming an adult, you act so inherently stupid and you prove me wrong. You are not some high school girl who has no control of her feelings. Pull yourself together. We are trying to save the world and you're too busy romping around with a demon."

"Why do you get to tell me how I feel!?" she yelled. "Just because you're all alone doesn't mean I have to be! I should be allowed to have a life that isn't just killing monsters and he isn't a demon. He still has his soul! The demon doesn't reside in that body. Eddie is still a man, a good man, possibly the best man I have ever known."