Chilled - The Warmth Trilogy [BOOK 2] Twilight Fanfiction

XIV. 𝐑𝐄𝚴𝐃𝐄𝐙𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐒

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

I didn't remember falling asleep.

Because I was regaining consciousness in my bed, I knew Jacob must have carried me inside. For a moment, I fooled myself into thinking I could still feel his heat against my skin. I was wrong because, beneath the light raindrops dripping against my bedroom window, I heard deep yet somehow light snoring to my left.

I smiled. Home.

My gaze shifted subtly towards Seth, who was quietly beside me. There was an innocent, almost youthful serenity to his demeanour. His chest rose gently, only to fall with each measured breath he released into the cool, quiet air. I was entranced, my eyes lingering on his tranquil form for several long moments, my vision gently wavering in the dim, understated light.

That was when reality sank in.

Almost in a near panic, I clutched at what was supposed to be skin until I felt a fistful of fabric. Because I was so dizzy, it took me a few moments to piece together that Jacob had given me his extra sweater to conceal my bruises from Seth.

I sighed in relief, falling against the pillow. There was so much to be nervous about today. At least one of my worries was managed.

I pressed my lips against Seth's cheek, careful not to disturb his rest. Because of his acute sensitivity to touch, his eyes opened slowly, giving me the most languid, drowsy look. Quietly shutting his eyes again, he repositioned himself until I felt the weight of his body against mine. Drawing me nearer, I felt his intimate embrace, natural as the moon's pull on the tides.

"I love you," he murmured, pressing his lips against my forehead before falling back into his unconscious again. I laid there for a few minutes until he was deep enough where I could manoeuvre my way out.

I went downstairs, stunned by the familiar morning haze that lingered until my first sip of coffee. I filled the filter with newly opened coffee grinds, their aroma instantly causing my nostrils to flare with pleasure. I paused, eyes closed, letting the fragrance ready me for the day ahead.

I perused the day's minor news in the kitchen over my coffee. As the last of my drowsiness faded, I felt prepared to start on lunch. Yet, the silence around me was hard to ignore.

Usually, Charlie and Sue would be in their morning flurry, punctuating their routine with swift, precise movements. Today, their absence turned the quiet into an overwhelming presence so intense it made even my heartbeat seem distant.

As I began to crack eggs into a bowl, an unexpected pair of hands clasped my shoulders from behind. I gasped, my startled cry muffled quickly by the palm of his hand.

"What the hell, Jake?"

My voice was sharper than I intended, my words slicing through the kitchen's quiet like a knife.

Jake stood there, an impish grin playing at the corners of his mouth, his eyes alight with a mischief that was all too familiar. He was casual, almost nonchalant, as if his sudden appearance in my personal space was the most natural thing. "We're supposed to tell him today. I thought it was a given I was staying the night." His tone was casual, almost teasing, the words rolling off his tongue with a confidence that somehow managed to be both infuriating and endearing at the same time.

I stared at him with cautious eyes, still adjusting to the fact that he was in the house. I was more worried that he hadn't said good morning while I was in the kitchen. He was a snorer, too; I would have known if he was asleep.