Sold!

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Griffin Valentine

She could've had the bed. I offered. I would've slept on the couch or whatever the hell it is she's sleeping on. I can't decide if its a window seat or a window bed.

Nonetheless she is turned with her back to me all stiff lying over there while I'm here on my chosen side of the bed trying not to stare at her. After a while she seemed to have fallen asleep because I noticed her body start to move with the rhythm of breathing. I'm glad she can get some sleep. I doubt she got much last night.

We both tossed and turned in our sleep until we got comfortable with each others presence. I woke in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. When I got back to bed she was sort of on her back and yet sort of facing me. Her face was so calm and well rested. Then I heard a crash of books falling and she jolted awake highly startled. She is a light sleeper.

"Hey, you okay?" I said quietly in a soothing voice. She looked around as if she had no idea where she was until she saw me. She put her hand over her eyes and sighed deeply.

"Uhh... I was having this dream and it sounded like something fell in my dream and then I actually heard something fall and I guess it startled me more than I thought." She explained.

"Sorry that was my cat." I said.

"You have a cat?" She asked.

"Yeah, Crazy." I point to the fat, orange and white cat sitting on the edge of a shelf on a bookshelf. "He doesn't do much but think his fat ass can squeeze past books without knocking them down." I shook my head as I stared at him with a disappointed look. Then I heard her laughing, like really laughing, really hard. Eventually her laugh made me laugh. "What?" I asked confused.

"Nothing. I don't even really know why that was so funny!" Venice was smiling as she wiped tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes.

"You okay now?" I asked.

"Yeah but I don't think I can sleep now that I'm wide awake." She smiled. I smiled with her.

"Hey fatty get over here." I called over Crazy and he hopped down and trotted over to the bed and laid down next to me. "You're gonna pick those books up right?" I asked as I petted him. Venice came over and started petting him too. He was soaking up all the attention and just fell in love with her. "There. Now you have a new fat best friend. He likes to cuddle so I think you'll like him." I smiled at her.

"You like to cuddle?" She asked Crazy as she picked him up. "I do too." She carried him over and laid back down with him. I could hear his purring from all the way over where I was.

"Lucky bastard." I mumbled. She looked over and smiled at me warmly and her eyes made my heart melt.

"Thank you." She said. I nodded and settled down into a comfortable spot. Soon we were both fast asleep again.

The morning came too soon for the both of us. We shuffled along down the hallway sleepily. Venice tripped over air and I had to help her not fall on her face. She looked so frazzled it was pretty funny. Then she playfully jabbed my abs trying to appear angry at my laughter toward her epic fail. I knew she couldn't be angry because her smile gave her away.

"Finally we're here. I'm starving and those halls feel longer than usual." I pulled out a chair for her then sat down next to her at the table.

She yawned and stretched then leaned her head on my shoulder. "I agree. But this place still confuses me. Can I go back to bed now?" She said sounding groggy.

"Late night last night?" Arron asked in an insinuating voice that irritated me.

"Yeah, fatty knocked some books down and scared the crap out of both of us so of course it took a bit for us to get back to sleep." I felt the need to explain what happened to make us tired for her. Like if I didn't I would be giving in to my brothers foolish ideas and I don't want her to feel pressured or like I'm expecting anything from her.

"I'm not a morning person. What time is it?" Venice yawned again.

"7:15." My father answered not looking up from his paper.

"Oh hell no. It's too early for anything. I'm going back to bed, I'll eat later." Venice stood up and rocked as she rolled on her heels. Once she got her footing she started walking away.

"I'll be in after I'm done eating." She just waved and kept going. "Make sure you take a left!" I called after her.

"Kay!" She called back. Arron looked at me like I was insane. I know he's suspicious. Arron is many things but he isn't stupid.

"She has horrible sense of direction." I explained. He nodded and turned his attention to his food.

I ate quickly and sped walked back to my room. When I entered I saw her sprawled out across my bed with her arms out and lying between them was Crazy. He looks happy. I smiled and rubbed my eyes. I was actually still tired as well. I laid down next to her, facing her, and quickly I was off to sleep as well.

Later I heard voices at my door and listened in on what they were saying.

"They aren't awake sir." A servant girl said.

"What do you mean they aren't-" my father must have seen us laying here together because he stopped completely. He sighed then I heard him leave. Crazy jumped down and ran out the room before the door closed. Once her arms were free I felt her reach for me so I moved closer. As soon as she found me she latched on to my neck and pulled herself close. I wrapped my arms around her back and inhaled her sweet, lovely scent.