Sinners and Saints

Sinners and Saints Chapter 31 - Burning Beard

We both wake up when the sun climbed high enough to throw a beam directly in our eyes.   Drake had closed the doors to the balcony, but not the drapes.  Despite the invasive awakening, I wake with a smile and tilt my head up to Drake’s. 

“Morning, sunshine,” he grins at me, “Sleep well?” 

“I did,” I roll over and check the clock.  It is barely seven, but I feel great for having four-ish hours of sleep.  It was the first unbroken sleep I’d had in weeks.  No nightmares.  No panic attacks.  No insomnia. 

“You go grab a shower and I’ll get the coffee on,” Drake offers, “Unless you want me to shower with you?” 

I laugh, “Tempting as that is, I could really go for some coffee and I can’t shift my morning-breath away like you can.  I’ll be quick,” I smile and pull some clothes out to take into the bathroom with me.  I’m done in record time, not bothering with makeup or hairspray.  Blown-dry and left free to curl in the humidity.  

When I open the bathroom door, I see that Drake has tidied up our room.  My dress is hung up, my pajamas folded up and the bed messily-made.  Housekeeping will strip it and remake it later.  His own clothes are gone – likely poofed-away.  My shoes are standing below my dress in the closet. 

Barefoot, I walk to the common room and Drake hands me a steaming cup of very black coffee. 

“Thank you,” I smile and sip it carefully, “When do you need to leave?” 

“Depends on when the angel gets here,” he shrugs, “But I will need to go back to the hotel before noon to get my things, at least.” 

“Oh?” I ask, “Were you all leaving today?” 

“No, angel,” he smiles and kisses me, “Just me.  No need to stay with my cougar when I have a tiger now.”  He grins at his own joke and one by one, the doors to the other rooms open. 

“Well, at least you two have the decency to be dressed and have the damned coffee ready,” Lil snaps.  I pour her a cup and push the cream and sugar toward her. 

“Would you ladies like breakfast?” Drake smiles and pulls out the room service menu, “I for one would love an omelet.  Claire?” 

“Sounds good,” I nod, “I worked up quite an appetite last night.” 

Drake winks at me and the bi’s roll their eyes.  Lil’s phone goes off in her room and she leaves to answer it.  Brandy and Brenda make their selections and Drake prompts them for Lil’s order. 

“I don’t know,” Brenda shrugs, “I’ve never seen her eat anything.” 

“Well, if she’s hungry she can have half of mine,” I offer, “Or she can order her own.”  Drake places the call to the front desk and I walk out onto this balcony, taking in the view of the bay and all of the yachts below.  The bi’s aren’t as openly hostile to me as they have been, but we really have very little to talk about.  They pulled out their phones and I realized it had been ages since I had checked in with anyone. 

Drake finished his order – entirely in French – and I also realized that I would have been hopeless to order on my own.  I know less French than Italian, and far less than I do Spanish or German.  I would have ended up with a croissant and a Perrier, which I dislike even more than champagne.  I can say please, thank you, shoes and a couple of other words – that’s it. 

Lil comes out of her room, shutting the door behind her, “The angel is on her way up,” she informs us, “Do not speak to her,” she warns the bi’s, “I had to call in a favor to get her here, and I’m not very pleased to have this hanging over my head.  You,” she turns to me, “Will speak only when spoken to.  Understand?”