Secluded

Heat

Secluded Chapter 6

THUNDER AND LIGHTENING 

I wake suddenly and open my eyes quickly and notice the flashes of light coming through the window and onto the walls. I wipe my face and relax my body only to realize I have been woken by the storm. I throw the covers off and walk down the stairs to get a drink quietly trying not to wake up Eric. I notice the front door open as I walk down and curiously think why it would be open at his time of night. I mean, it must be like three in the morning or something. 

I go to the kitchen and grab a cup from the cupboards and fill it with water. I sip slowly as I walk towards the front door and look through the screen door noticing Eric asleep sitting straight up on the chair he was sitting in earlier. His head is bent back and mouth slightly open. 

I stand there staring at him and take my time to look him over. Why is he out here? Maybe the storm woke him or something. I decide to open the door and set my drink down on the porch. I put my hand on his shoulder and gently shake him.

"Eric. Wake up, please. This lightening is strong and close. C'mon..." I continue to shake his shoulder. And all of a sudden he grabs my wrist. Startled, I look at his face and then back down to my hand. He's still asleep, I think. His thumb gently grazes my hand and I watch carefully at what he is doing. I swallow hard and look at his face again.

"Tris." He whispers.

"Eric, please, please wake up." I say as I squeeze his shoulder, when I hear a thunder rolling in again.

He slowly opens one eye and bends his head back up and closes his eyes again. His mouth shuts and he adjusts his position.

"Sorry, I couldn't sleep in there. That couch is like two bags of rocks for cushions" he says still holding onto my hand. I could tell he was still trying to wake up and didn't realize he was still massaging my hand with his thumb. It was nice. I looked down at my hand and he stops suddenly and looks at me locking eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry, um, I didn't see you on the couch and then saw you out here. The storms getting stronger so you should get inside." I say awkwardly.

He drops his hand and gets up slowly and stretches his arms above his head.

"If you want, take my bed?" I say taking pity on how painful his back must feel.

"Like I said, I can't let a lady stay downstairs by herself. Why don't we... Never mind. Just get to bed. I'll see you in the morning" and with that he opens the screen door and goes inside with my following.

"Why don't we just split the bed? I mean, it's big enough for like four people. Plenty of space between us.." Wait what just came out of my mouth? Did I just ask to share a bed with this man? This hot attractive man? With Eric?

He stands there contemplating my offer.

"Just don't think twice, c'mon. I'm tired and so are you. We have things to do tomorrow. Just get your blanket and pillow." I demand and without letting him say anything I turn around and walk upstairs without looking back or waiting for him to say something. What's done is done. Ugh! Hopefully I didn't make this entire living situation weird for us.

I walk into my room, crawl under my blankets and cuddle up while waiting for him to come in. I close my eyes and pretend to sleep so it won't be so awkward. I count to one thousand it seems and I still haven't heard him come in. I finally relax and give up waiting for him. He's probably already asleep on the couch. Stubborn jackass.

The Next Morning

I stretch my arms and legs welcoming the warm sun that is shining through the window. Holy crap it's hot in here. I rest my arms down from stretching but before my right arm hits the bed I feel someone beside me.