All For Us

Chapter 11 (Astra)

I don't want to open my eyes yet, so instead, I snuggle deeper into the warm cocoon encircling me. My face is resting against a rather stiff pillow, but I don't mind because it smells unbelievably wonderful. It's this mouth-watering combination of mint and fresh pine, and I could lay on this pillow, in this cozy hold, forever.

I begin to drift back to sleep, but then my pillow moves. I startle, attempting to move back far enough to inspect the moving object, but arms I hadn't noticed in my half-conscious state are wrapped around me, gripping me in a tight embrace.

With no small amount of horror, I realize that I'd somehow managed to become entangled with Kayson in my sleep.

This time, when I lift myself up, the arms fall away from me. I push onto my elbows and allow my gaze to slowly rove up his body. My eyes continue their ascent, but get caught on a pair of surprisingly lush lips. They look good enough to eat, and in my half conscious state, I find myself wanting to devour them. But then my gaze strays up to his eyes, and I stop short. 

There's amusement in those near-black depths. He smiles, gifting me with perhaps the most beautiful sight I have ever witnessed.

Kayson never smiles.

I'm mesmerized, having never seen this side of my bodyguard. He looks untamed. His typically neat hair is sticking out in places, giving his razor edge appearance a sort of soft appeal. I feel like I'm witnessing a rare side to him, one that only few, intimate people have seen before.

That thought brings white-hot embarrassment to my cheeks, turning them an obvious shade of red.

It's at this point that I realize I've just been openly staring at him while our legs remain entwined, and his arms are still resting casually at my sides. I shoot out of the bed, moving so fast my legs get caught up in the sheets and I tumble over the side. I land hard on my back, the impact forcing a scream from my lungs. Being the absolute klutz that I am, I'd landed smack dab on my wounds.

Kayson's head pops over the side of the bed, the smile on his face replaced by a look of grave concern.

"You okay, Astra? That sounded like it hurt," he says, his voice laced with worry. The air is slowly returning to my lungs, but not fast enough for me to respond with a verbal answer. Instead, I shake my head and cover my face with my hands, breathing slowly through the pain as tears leak out of my eyes. I'm so goddamn humiliated that I think I might die from it. And the pain is only adding to my growing emotional state.

I feel gentle hands on my shoulders, and then I'm being lifted like I weigh nothing. I'm again pressed against the chest I had been sleeping on mere moments ago, and that aroma of mint and pine greets me with open arms. I don't even stop to think before I wrap my arms around his neck and nestle my face against his shirt.

I feel Kayson carrying me towards the bathroom. He sets me down with too much care on the counter, and it bothers me that I'm not being treated like a prisoner should. Although, based on what Kayson has said, it doesn't sound like he intends to keep me as a prisoner.

"I'm gonna go grab you a towel," Kayson murmurs before heading towards the same cabinet he had the day before. I can do nothing but sit here, lost in my thoughts.

Kayson is being incredibly sweet, but to what end? Why does he not seem bothered by how close we'd gotten in our sleep? What the fuck does all of this mean? What am I missing? 

How is he involved with these people? What's his role here? Why does he have matching tattoos with Ezekiel and Wren? I just need answers. 

My head starts to hurt, and I rub my palms against my temples to try to relieve some of the tension there. My fingers brush against my scar, and I faintly trace the outline, knowing it's going to be a permanent detraction from my already lacking beauty.