Little Red

Chapter 40

That night, I can't seem to fall asleep.  

The information Samuel told us earlier did little to ease my nerves.  I've never been so unsettled before when it came to battle, but I think the responsibility of so many lives is weighing me down.  The warriors are not only my family and old schoolmates, but everyone here in Dark Night.  And this time I'm helping organize, plan, and train.  It's a lot of responsibility. 

My train of thought is interrupted by the door opening.  Light pours in from the hallway, and I recognize Demitri's figure standing in the door.  I look over at the clock beside the bed, and I see that it's 2 a.m.

"Ara?"  His deep whisper sends a jolt of electricity down my spine, and I repress my shiver as I answer.

"Yes?"  I call, sitting up slightly in bed.

At my response, he comes further into the room, closing the door behind him.  He undresses as he comes, and I stare unashamedly at his perfect, toned body.  By the time he reaches the bed, he's only in his boxers, and he doesn't hesitate before lifting the covers, and sliding right in.  

He hesitates a moment before speaking.

"Can I hold you?"  He whispers into the night.

My heart does crazy things in my chest, and I feel a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.  I don't fight it as I answer.

"You never have to ask."  I say, scooting closer to him.

I don't move far, before he pushes himself to the middle of the bed.  He encases me in his strong arms, and his legs tangle with mine.  Immediately, sparks shoot throughout my body, and I feel blood racing through my veins.  I lay my forehead against his chest, and he places a feather-light kiss to the top of my head. 

I sigh in pure contentment.  

"I'm ready for this to be over."  He says.  His voice is low, and it sounds deep from burdens I can only imagine.  "I'm ready to get to know you, the real you underneath the hard facade you put up.  I want to know everything about you." 

Usually I would get defensive at a statement like that, but I realize that I want the same thing.  I'm tired of putting on a strong front for everyone.  I'm tired of pretending that the things the wolves say about me doesn't hurt.  And I'm tired of carrying all of that around with me with no escape.  

"I'm ready for that too.  But it's okay, because we have forever to learn all of those things together.  For now, we have to be strong and we have to lead.  But in here, we can be ourselves with each other."  I reassure.

I feel another grateful kiss on my scalp.

"You're amazing," he sighs.

"Hey, you're not so bad yourself."  I reply, smiling against his chest.

He pulls back, those bright blue orbs meeting my own.  They hold the intensity of an electrical storm, and his expression is serious. 

"Tonight, I don't want to think about any of that.  Tonight, I just want to be here with you."  He states.

I struggle to string together a coherent sentence, but I come up short.  The only thing I can manage is a slight nod as I get lost in his eyes.

"Ara,"  I nearly purr at his velvety voice, "Can I kiss you?" 

Something comes over me, and I launch myself at him.  I grab his shoulders, and smash my lips against his.  He freezes for a moment at my actions.  However, he gets over his shock quickly, and pulls me closer by my waist, giving me just as much passion as I give him.  The kiss is intense and fiery, and it feels like there's hot liquid rolling in my lower abdomen.