"Aaron." Ella struggles to escape the grasp of my arms but only succeeds to make me hold her tighter. "I need to get up."
Our mattress shifts as she ducks beneath the curve of my arm.
Sighing, I release her waist but keep hold of her hand. "To do what?"
"Laundry. I have nothing to wear."
I lean into her neck and nibble gently on the side of her ear. "Believe me, love, I don't mind."
Although she was right about needing to do laundry, I don't let her go. After all, I rather enjoy the nights when she wore one of my shirts as a nightgown.
Ella tugs on the hem. Even though it's a tee, the sleeves reach her elbows. "I can't wear your clothes forever."
"No," I agree, "but I'm sure you can manage for a week." A slow, wicked smile curves my lips. "Or two."
"Aaron."
I meet her eyes and use the moment of silence to tug her back against my chest. "Yes, love?"
"I can't go outside looking like this."
Brown hair slipping out of its ponytail, oversized shirt hanging over her bare shoulders? Perfect — at least, for me. "Precisely why we'll stay inside."
"I promised Kenji I'd help at the Sanctuary."
Sighing, I press my forehead against hers. "I know he's your best friend, but he seems to be a bad influence on you."
Ella smiles at me with teasing eyes. "He says the same thing about you."
"We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot," I agree. "But my forgiveness is not prescribed for a haircut as dastardly as he gave."
"That was over a year ago." Ella fights the laugh on her lips by busying her hands with my hair. "Plus, it's grown back."
"A buzz cut and several barbers later." I have to force back the bitterness from my voice.
"Kenji was annoyed that he wasn't as gorgeous as you," Ella says. "He wanted to balance out the spectrum."
"Are you telling me," I murmur, "that you thought less of me when my hair was grotesque?"
Ella wraps her legs around me, still fighting her laugh. "Grotesque is a strong word for hair."
"And bastard is a strong word for Kenji, but I won't refrain from using it."
Ella's laugh succumbs to a sigh. "If I agree to stay here, will you stop slandering him?"
"Gladly."
She smiles, disregarding Kenji for the time being. "Are we going to stay in bed all day?"
"Yes."
"What about meals?"
"You're my meal."
Ella's cheeks turn pink.
Smiling, I murmur, "Sorry, love. My mouth has gotten the better of me."
"Nonsense. I love your mouth."
"Then, please," I whisper, focusing in on her mouth, "shut me up."
"Gladly."
