Wilde at Heart (Completed)

Chapter 15

The next morning, Layla slowly woke up to see sunlight streaming in a bedroom window. She tried to move and then realized she was pinned down. She panicked and then saw it was Canon.  The last night's events flooded back into her mind and she felt a twinge of fear. As if sensing her perturbed state of mind, Canon's arms tightened around her waist; a silent reminder of her 'knight in shining armor.' Layla giggled before remembering soberly that he literally had been her knight. If it wasn't for him, who knows what would have happened to her?

Canon moved slightly in his sleep nuzzling his face into her. She realized he practically lay on top of her, his head on her chest and his arms wrapped around her waist. Her hands went to stroke his hair as she listened to him breathe. It was such a comforting sound as he slept.  His legs were entangled with hers under the covers and Layla lay smiling up at the ceiling. A warm bubbly feeling filled her and she didn't know why.

With a happy smile, she looked down at Canon, studying his face so close to hers. He looked so calm and peaceful. Not like the hard arrogant man she'd heard about and met. Inwardly, she debated waking him up. Nope, she decided, she liked the innocent little boy look he had when asleep too much. Looking up as she heard another sound, Layla tensed as she heard footsteps in the hallway.

The door to his bedroom cracked open and an elderly woman stuck her head in. Layla held a finger to her lips to warn her to be silent. Canon was exhausted and she intended to let him sleep as long as he wanted. "Shhh," she whispered, giggling softly.

The woman stepped closer, a warm smile on her face. "I wanted to know if you two wanted breakfast. My name is Mary," she whispered, "I'm the housekeeper."

Layla rested her hand on Canon's cheek, a blush burning her cheeks because of the position she was in as she whispered back, "Maybe later. We'll get it ourselves. I want to let him sleep."

Mary nodded and turned to leave, a smile still on her face. "Mary?" whisper-yelled Layla, "Thank you."

Mary smiled and pointed to Canon as she said, "No, thank you. Take care of him."

Then she was gone. Layla whispered, "I'll try."

Her hand went back to stroking his hair when she felt him move. A groan escaped his lips and Layla felt his death grip on her loosen. Not much, but some. He still held her like he was afraid she'd disappear or leave. She knew he was awake so she softly said, "Good morning."

His voice was husky with sleep as he answered, "Morning."

He still hadn't moved and Layla squirmed under him as she said, "Uh, you need to leave for work in about..." she glanced at the clock on the bedside table, "thirty minutes."

He groaned and said, his voice muffled, "Can't we just stay like this all day?"

Layla grinned and said quietly, a blush flooding her cheeks, "Um, well, you see, I really have to use the bathroom."

He moved off the top of her, his head now buried in the softness of the pillows. Layla started to move but stopped when a hand wrapped around her wrist in a vise-like grip. She looked into his blue eyes hazy with sleep as he asked, "Are you coming back?"

Layla gave an unlady-like snort. "Where would I go? China?" Her voice was laced with sarcasm.

"I don't know," mumbled Canon into the pillow, "If you took a notion to go I don't think anything would stop you."

Layla blushed at his accurate description of her and pulled her arm from his grasp.Reluctantly, he let her go and closed his eyes again, his black hair a tousled sexy mess.

When Layla stepped out of the bathroom, he stood in front of the dresser digging through it, now in only a dress shirt and boxers. He turned to look at her his eyes darkening as he took in her form covered in his shirt. Layla stepped towards him, her dress and shoes from the night before in her hands. Setting them down in chair next to the bathroom door, she stood nervously looking down at the floor. She felt instead of saw his presence in front of her. When she lifted her eyes to his, they were filled with swirling emotions. He looked hesitant and Layla realized he was insecure. She felt a need to reassure him, though she didn't know why.