Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

47

"Stop!" I shouted covering my mouth as he looked up at me in surprise. "Stop, let me get you a book. You know, so you don't have to sit in silence."

"I was gonna see what you were reading. There's not a problem is there." I moved to stand in front of him and held a hand out.

"Yes there is. You touched my book without asking." He scoffed.

"What are you five?"

"Not sure what five year old would read that." I mumbled under my breath as I flexed my fingers in a give me it motion.

"I just wanted to see what you were reading." I barely had a moment to think of my consequences when I lunged.

"It's none. Of. Your. Business." I spoke, struggling to get to the book as Rafe pulled it away from him and further from me.

"Oh now I have to see." I groaned as I grabbed at the book, only getting air. I was nearly on top of him as I followed his arm that was stretched out over the arm of the couch.

I grabbed his arm, thankfully it wasn't his burned one, and wrestled the book free. A sigh leaving my lips as I stopped to let myself breathe. Rafe tensing up beneath me.

"Hey Xena." I slowly walked my hands up the arm of the couch as I sat back up. "You looked really beautiful in your dress last night." I turned my head, pushing backwards to not be sprawled out over Rafe's lap.

"Hey Rafe." He rose an eyebrow bringing his blanket around him. "Thanks. Now, if you tell anyone I was laid out in your lap like that-"

"You'll give me matching stitches. Don't worry. I got the message, Darling." It was silent as I moved across the couch to my mountain of blankets and pillows. "Though, I figured with the books you read you'd be into it." I gasped, throwing a pillow at him.

"You big bully!" I shout as he laughed.

"Hey, don't leave a guy unattended too long." He says like he wasn't to blame.

"I told you to stay in the kitchen!" I groaned covering my face with a blanket as he laughed.

"I was going to, but your phone was going off all willynilly, it was your food alarm by the way, so I came to turn it off and one thing led to another and Boom! Climax."

"Oh. My. God." I was embarrassed as he laughed. His hand gently tugging on the blanket as I finally sat up, pointing a finger at him. "This is between you and me, okay?"

"I think that's what the female said too." I groaned covering my face again making him laugh.

"Don't worry, Xena. The dirty secret is safe with me. And if you ever wanted to-" I jumped, covering his mouth with my hand.

"Rafe, shut up." I growled slowly pulling my hand away. "If you're going to stay in here, you're quiet."

I set myself back up in my nest giving Rafe a glare before opening my book. Restarting the chapter to get back into it. My cheeks reddening as I read the scene he was talking about, with him literally at the other end of the couch.

My stomach clinched as it normally did but there was more emotion felt. Maybe it was because I was embarrassed that someone had read my book. Or maybe it was because someone was at the end of the couch currently glancing between me and his phone. Or maybe it was the fact that the book I was reading described our situation nearly perfectly and the 'innocent' little book dragon inside of me was purring.

You have no idea, Xena Tallen.

"Fuck!" I shouted, standing up. Tired of seeing Rafe over the view of my book.

"Whoa, what's wrong?" I clenched my fists as I saw the slightest tug of a smirk on his lips.

"A character just died." I lied, folding my blankets and draping them over the back of the couch as I set the book on the stand away from Rafe.

"Hmm, did you like the character?" He stood, folding his blanket the same way.

"No, no I did not." He grinned.

"Right. Well, I'm assuming that means it's time to sleep."

"Right. Come on." I motioned him to follow me. My hand hitting a switch on our way up as I cradled the book carefully to my chest. The lower level lights shut off except the hallway and kitchen lights which dimmed.

"Fancy light work." Rage complimented as he follows me upstairs.

"Thanks. I asked the electrician to set it up for me last fall. Light enough to see-"

"But dark enough to sleep, smart."

"I can be, from time to time." I joked as we came up onto the top floor. The hallway lights dim like how I left them. "Bathroom is down at the end, I'm right here, and you are there." I pointed to the doors right across from each other.

"This is a nice space."

"Thanks. It's a bit of a mess just because it's pretty much only me up here."

"Sounds lovely." I scoffed, leaning backwards against my door.

"Sometimes lonely. But yeah. I've kinda made it my own." I let myself get lost in my thoughts before I shook out of it. "Um, well, if you need anything just knock. Night, Rafe."

"Thanks. Night, Xena." He disappeared into the guest room as I ran to the bathroom. Quickly brushing my teeth and doing my nightly routine before grabbing my phone and sprinting back to my room. I had barely closed the door when I heard him come into the hallway.

I heard him pause before sighing, his feet dragging over to the bathroom as I turned and flopped into bed as I sent my mom a text.

Ma

Just so it isn't a surprise, Rafe Cameron is asleep in our guest room upstairs. He needed to get away for a little bit. I ended up letting him stay.
Xena

That's kind of you. Though I am shocked. I thought you hated the guy.
Ma

I'm shocked too.
I guess it's a come-and-go feeling.
Xena

I trust you and your instincts. You're a kind person, sweetheart.
Ma