Cage

Chapter 15: Drawing Lines

Chapter 15: Drawing Lines

            His fingertips spread across my exposed shoulder; tracing the curve of my collarbone and sliding up the base of my throat until he tilted my head back ever so gently. 

            “You’re so beautiful Cass,” Hayden spoke huskily as he hovered over me, though kept his weight evenly distributed so I hardly felt more than his body warmth. And thank goodness for that since I could hardly notice my previous bruises and scrapes from the night before. Together we lay blissfully on the bed in his guest-room.

            “And you put Greek gods to shame,” I giggled quietly and ran my hands up his chest until they rested close to his heart.

            “You’re funny,” Hayden smirked, leaning down to pepper kisses across my jaw and lips. Still laughing lightly, I felt Hayden continue his kisses down my neck until he rested his face in the space where my shoulder and neck meet. I shivered pleasantly as I felt his warm breath tickle my skin.

            “I want you…” Hayden mumbled into my skin, pressing his warm lips against me. I exhaled shakily as I felt my nerves spike with excitement and stimulation. Being with Hayden so intimately was exhilarating and addictive. I never wanted to move from our position.

            “I-“ I began and drew in a quick breath as my heart jolted once Hayden’s tongue traced a tiny pattern under his lips. Oh…

            “I never thought I would feel this way,” Hayden mumbled, rising up to press his forehead to mine. I closed my eyes and felt him cuddly press his face to mine, running his forehead down to my nose. Then, with the slightest bit of pressure, I gasped and felt a trail of wetness drip from the edge of my nose and to my upper lip.

            “Oh gosh,” I squeaked, pushing Hayden off me quickly. Hayden immediately straightened and pulled me up along with him.

            “What in the world…?” Hayden frowned worriedly; cupping my cheeks at the exact moment I shoved the side of my hand under my bleeding nose. “Don’t move,” he demanded, jumping up and running to his bathroom. I sighed and waved my hand dismissively.

            “I wasn’t planning on it,” I half-smiled but frowned, once I realized I needed to come up with a cover-up lie, fast. The truthful answer of being up all-night and running recklessly through the forest didn’t sound very plausible.

            “Since when do you get nose bleeds?” Hayden asked, still worried as he quickly knelt in front of me and shoved some folded tissues in the space where my hand was a moment ago. Giving my bloody fingers a quick look, Hayden sighed and scooped me up effortlessly. In the bathroom in less than a few seconds, he then plopped me gently down on the counter and grabbed a few tissues to run under the faucet.

            “It’s probably just dry,” I lied smoothly as Hayden pulled my hand into his and began wiping away the dried blood.

            “It is a little colder here than in the city,” he surprisingly complied, keeping his gaze focused on his task. I nodded slowly and pulled the tissues from my nose a few time to check the damage. Thankfully, the stream didn’t seem to be too persistent. I knew it was just the healing sensitivity. “Maybe we could talk to Christopher about putting a humidifier in your room – I’m sure he wouldn’t mind the request,” Hayden continued thoughtfully as he pulled my hand under the faucet to give it a quick rinse.

            “That’s silly. I’m not that fragile,” I grimaced, pulling the tissues from my nose.

            “I beg to differ, china doll,” Hayden smiled apologetically after letting go of my now clean hand.