Caged

Chapter 17

     I sat in silence, listening to the crackle of the fire in front of me. With the mug of hot chocolate secured between my thighs, I hold up my hands to the fire, relishing in the feel of the warmth. I'm waiting for Abigor to get out of the shower so I can wash my hair which reaches down to my lower back. It was longer when I first got here, but Abi cut off the split ends. I gulped down the last of the warm drink, to my surprise a large hand took the empty mug from mine.

     "I'll take it to the kitchen for you, the shower is free," helping me get to my feet I put a hand on his chest to steady myself. His skin warmed up beneath the palm of my hand, he's not wearing a shirt. Bitting my lip I swallow nervously. I glanced down, his grey sweats hung dangerously low. When I realized that I wasn't being discreet my eyes darted to the ceiling.

     "Like the view?" I jumped, and he chuckled.

     "I have no idea what you're talking about. Maybe put on some clothes, we're not nudists." I raised my head higher, smirking at my own comment.

     "We could be if you wanted to," his lips connected with my shoulder, and when I saw him gaze into my eyes I realize that he was serious.

     "Alright buddy, hell got to you. Time to go to bed." I swung him around and put the palms of my hands on his back, pushing him upstairs. I left him in the hallway leading up to his room along with the bathroom. I wished him a good night, then shut the bathroom door behind me a little too fast. Breathing heavily and clutching my chest to stop my heart from beating so fast I begin stripping down. Staring into my brown topaz eyes, I begin to lecture myself. No, I absolutely cannot feel anything like this right now. I have too much on my plate already.

     I stood in the shower for quite some time, letting the water wash away my worries. My mind tends to wander, which causes anxiety to create knots in my stomach. I have realized that taking a long hot shower helps unwind those knots. Once I had my favorite pale blue sweats on, along with a black tank top, I forgot my fuzzy socks. I left the bathroom in a hurry, to spare my feet the harsh cold of the floor. I was too busy with my own thoughts that I didn't see Abigor until I walked right into him.

     "Looking for these?" My black fussy socks hung from his hand.

     "Yes, I am." He handed them to me, then continued on to ruffle my hair. I wished him a good night before we went our separate ways. The moment I threw myself on my bed something appeared out of thin air and hit me in the face. I painfully held my face and my left hand grazed over the item that injured me. As I opened my eyes A leather bound book came into view. It was heavily worn out and sprawling open with sketches. I crossed my legs and held the book in my hands, hastily flipping through the pages, causing a yellowing note to fall out. I read it aloud to myself.

     "Dear Athena, I have come to realize how important it is for you to find your grandfather. This book includes all the information you would need and more. Be careful, make sure you follow the rules. Sincerely the one and only, Lucifer." What kind of devil is he? I thought he was a horrible person, that's what you're usually told anyway. I was staring off into space, the hand that gently took the book slightly startled me.

     "This is one of his most valuable possessions, he carried it around with him until every single word was memorized." Abigor sat down next to me, running his hand across the rough leather.

     "What are you doing in my room?" Smirking at me, he handed back the book.

     "What were you doing in mine?" Staring into my eyes intensely, I had no idea what to say. How does he know, I didn't leave anything behind.

     "Honey, I could pick up that mouth-watering scent of yours anywhere you'd go. My bed smells like you, not that I'd ever mind that though," my mouth fell open.

     "I'm gonna stop you right there, I told you to stay out of my head."

     "The only time I'm able to untangle your thoughts is when a part of you wants me to, this is due to you being a demon and you could easily shut me out. The only time I can read another beings thoughts without force whenever I'd like is if they're human." I couldn't think of words to say that could ever possibly explain why I decided to get comfortable in his bed. I was scared and I was so unsure about not only myself but of the situation unfolding around me. 

     "I didn't know what else to do," the faint whisper of my voice somehow still reached far enough so Abigor could hear me. His dark eyelashes whipped open revealing his inky eyes, they reminded me of the night sky, on a perfectly clear night. Those nights when you can see the constellations, that make you want to drown in the beauty of the darkness. I sucked in my bottom lip, a nervous habit of mine, his beautiful eyes immediately fell to my lips. 

     "You're making my stay here a risky one. Don't tempt me like that," He continued to speak about something, but I couldn't pick it up. I was too focused on the way his lips moved as he spoke and how his muscles rippled with life as he slightly moved around. He waved a hand in front of my face, was I that obvious? 

     "You're drooling,"throwing his head back and chuckling, he put a hand on his stomach from laughing so much. Quickly swiping a hand across my face in embarrassment, I most definitely was not drooling. I have a lot more self-control than that. What didn't even feel like a split second, his face appeared a few inches away from mine. I crashed my lips upon his, with the same ferocity the waves yearned for the shore. I felt his hands snake their way to the back of my neck and he pulled me closer until my chest touched his. After a few heated seconds, I realized what had gotten into me, so I pulled away. 

     "I'm so sorry, I don't know what got into me." Cupping my mouth, I finally came crashing down to earth. This, what's going on between us could never happen, it's dangerous. I don't want him to get hurt because of me.  

     "Calm your pretty little thoughts doll, anything and everything that could possibly happen due to this would be worth it." Gently grabbing my face he kissed my forehead, I didn't need more encouragement than that.