Trouble in paradise (official)

Chapter 66 "Mirror." 😈👿🔥

The sound of an approaching thunderstorm trickled on the pavement outside of Lani and Nai's home. In the darkness, it carried with it a howling wind, clearing the streets for the impending downpour. A flash of lightning lit up everything opposite the glass, flooding the empty kitchen with light and dark impish figures dancing across the wall. The shadow of an ancient oak tree crept over the windowsill, stretching long sinewy fingers over the kitchen island. As quickly as they came, the branches snatched their claws back, dragging them away as if they were being chased by the echo of padded footsteps coming down the hall. Shortly after, the rain swept in, splattering bucket after bucket of icy water onto the old creaky brownstone window.

The condensation thickened, spreading across the glass, blooming like clouds of white baby's breath as the night's icy breeze whispered its nightly salutations. Seconds later, the rumble of rolling thunder rattled the walls of their home, as loud and brash as a large Dutch oven crashing against the wall. The sound nearly had Lani's heart leap out of her chest, reminding her of her chilling childhood.

"Ahh!" she cried, cowering as she stepped through the kitchen threshold. The mail she had tucked under her arm flew into the air and then showered her like gigantic pieces of confetti. "Fuck!" she cried again, watching them float and glide across the air in every direction. She sighed loudly, grabbing the letters as quickly as she could. "Stupid ass thunder, making all that goddamn noise. People are trying to sleep! Fuck you so loud for?"

As if to answer her, the power flicked off and on again, followed by another crash of thunder.

"Ugh, why did it have to be raining?!" She grabbed some matches from the drawer in front of her and slammed it shut. "Fuck!"

"Hey," Kakucho stood in the doorway leading from the living room into the kitchen. His hair and the exposed articles of his skin were still damp from the shower, dripping onto the towel around his neck. "I heard you yell from the other room. Are you okay?"

"Oh! Kaku, you scared the shit outta me!" She sighed, resting her hand over her chest.

"My bad, my bad."

"Tch, it's fine. I'm just looking for some candles in case these STUPID ASS lights go out again." She lifted her head to the sky, shouting towards the ceiling as if she meant for the storm to hear her.

"The rain's not your best friend, huh?" he smirked, watching her pace the kitchen floor.

"Not really, I hate thunderstorms. They make me uneasy. That's why I'm up right now."

"Let me help you look." He joined her at the center of the island as she flipped through the letters. "Where were they last?"

"Mmm, I can't remember, so we'll have to look for them. The last time I think I remember seeing them, though, they were in the cabinet above the fridge."

"I can get it for you."

"No, it's fine I got ——." It was at that moment that she realized she hadn't looked at him. Not completely. A trifle of dark hair tugged her eyes down the center of his chest, inviting her in. The tie around his waist barely closed the thin layer of silk. Rippling muscles toyed with her from beneath the fabric, flexing and relaxing like ribbons of brawny flesh, alive beneath his skin. She took her time taking him in. "What are you wearing?"

"Oh!" His eyes shot down to the hem of the robe. "Yeah, uh, I heard your voice and grabbed the first thing I saw. I didn't realize how small it was until now."

"Un-huh." She smiled, slyly running her tongue over her teeth. "Pink is a good color on you."

"Please stop looking at me like that."