The Beast

Chapter 16 - Connection

    Maia had already laid out a set of clean clothes on the counter of the sink. I wrapped my freshly washed hair in my towel and carefully slipped my blue t-shirt over my head, stomping my feet to divert some of the pain as I accidentally pressed against my bruise. She managed to find the most comfortable pair of shorts I owned, and I would have to remember to thank her later.

    I finally caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and grimaced. The bruise I had assumed would be there resembled more of a large welt in the shape of a fist, and the throbbing red color spread up over my cheek bone to make everything seem worse than it was.

    It was also easy to tell where I had broken my jaw. It had shifted just enough to make it look uneven as I stood, staring at myself straight-on. Hopefully it healed the right way, and I didn't have to deal with this physical deformity for the rest of my life.

    "Juniper, you almost done?" Maia knocked softly on the door, and I could see the shadow of her feet pacing in the hall.

    I sighed and pulled the towel off my head. I needed to run a brush through my hair before it dried in knots. "Yeah. Just give me a minute." My jaw popped as I moved it, and it was going to be a pain trying to get comfortable with it for a while.

    Arias was still closed in my bedroom when I stepped out of the warm bathroom. Marcus must have left, and Maia was dancing near the kitchen, moving from crossed to uncrossed legs. When she saw me, she gasped and nearly tripped over her own feet as she made a dash to the now empty bathroom.

    I laughed and cringed at the sheer volume as she slammed the door behind her. She always waited until the last second for everything-that included emptying her own bladder.

    Now that it was completely silent, I couldn't help but let my mind wander. My body was drawn to the man just on the other side of the wall, was that so wrong? Why was I so torn? Could I really let myself ignore the bond we had? I thought we had made it pretty far this past week, and I wasn't willing to just let that slip through my fingers.

    I brushed my damp hair over my shoulder. My heart was fluttering as I made up my mind to talk to him. I needed to figure out once and for all what I wanted. It wasn't fair for either of us.

    Arias was quick to open the door once I built up the courage to knock. I was slightly startled, and pulled my hair away from my face as it stuck to my cheeks.

    "Hey." I suddenly felt nervous as he watched me fumble with my hands. I could feel his eyes on me, and for just a moment I forgot why I bothered him.

    He opened the door wider and leaned against the doorframe. "Hey." His voice sounded tired, and with one look I could see the bags under his eyes that I had now noticed for the first time.

    "Are you okay?" I couldn't help the natural worry I felt for him. He ran one of his strong hands through his hair and softened his steel exterior.

    "I'm fine. Just not sleeping the greatest." I peeked around him at the bed that was still freshly made. Was he even using it?

    "Um..." I rocked on my heels and rolled my lips. "Mind if I come in?" He stepped back and opened the bedroom to me. "Thank you." The space seemed smaller now that the both of us were in it. The usual smell of pineapples was now mixed with his wooden scent, and it was actually very pleasing. "Is everything comfortable? Do you need more pillows or..." I trailed off, not sure how I could help him.

    I huffed as my hair once again fell over my face. I had lost my hair-tie somewhere, and was left to deal with the long brown strands that insisted on blowing across my face.