How to Kill a Man in Thirty Seconds

Chapter 56: The Drowning

The first thing I registered when I awoke, was a heavy arm lying over my waist. A body was pressed against me from behind- I realized with a start- and from the slow, relaxed breaths that sounded by my ear, it was Adrian. He was fast asleep, chin tucked into the crook of my neck and arm wrapped around me like a vice. His body crowded mine, so close that every fiber of my being felt it when his chest rose and fell.

I could feel his warm breath on my skin with every small exhale that left his lips. The air caught in my throat.

Slowly, I tried to weasel my way out his hold, but he had a grip of steel, his arm refusing to budge.

"Adrian," I murmured.

He made an incoherent mumble in his sleep, his arm tightening around my waist. The next thing I knew, I'd been dragged back, my back hitting his chest before his head settled more snugly in the crook of my neck.

The heat rose up to my cheeks.

"Adrian."

His eyes flickered open, before his drowsy gaze fell on me. Adrian's eyes widened. His whole body went rigid.

"Sorry," he mumbled, instantly releasing me.

His eyes were still heavy with sleep and with the pink that now decorated his cheeks, it was all I could do but stifle a laugh.

"You might want to wipe that drool off your face," I informed him, and watched as his eyes widened in horror, his hand rushing to the corner of his mouth. His completely dry mouth.

A chuckle escaped my lips, "You amaze me, you really do."

With drowsy eyes, Adrian shot me a glare. I was still grinning as I lifted his arm off me and couldn't help the gentle squeeze I gave his hand before releasing it, "Go back to sleep."

He looked disappointed, "You're leaving?"

"Mmhm. Just hungry."

His lips kicked up.

Ten minutes later, I was bustling about the kitchen. Despite the rest of the house looking like it hadn't been used in eons, the kitchen to my surprise was spick and span. There was cold chicken in the fridge, well cooked.

"The boy cooks," I murmured to myself.

"Does that surprise you? "Adrian's amused voice sounded from the doorway, and I realized he'd been standing there, leaning lazily against the wall as he watched me.

"Yes. Very," I grinned, sliding the sandwich I'd made across the counter, "Eat."

Surprise flickered in his eyes, "For me?"

"No, it's for my dead grandma. Yes, you, Adrian. Eat. There's no way I could've slept with that stomach rumbling like a gasoline engine."

He stared silently at me for a second, before a corner of his lips tugged upwards. And then he had taken a bite of the sandwich and was munching on it ravenously. I couldn't help but watch in captivation, head shaking in disapproval as it disappeared within a few seconds.

Adrian's heavy gaze returned to me as I began gathering the burnt-out cigarettes and other junk he had strewn across the floor the day before. The sight of it made my heart sink back to the pits of my chest.

"Didn't know you smoked."

"I'd given it up for a year. Until yesterday. It's not something I'm proud of."

My gaze flickered to meet his mid-shovel, "Don't destroy your own lungs, Adrian. You owe yourself better than that."

He swallowed hard. Nodded.