The Catalyst

Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

I woke up to the sun shining in my eyes. I yawned and went to stretch but was stopped short by the firm grip of Nolan surrounding me. I blinked. I looked over at him, surprised that he was still there, but grateful. His smooth, creamy colored skin with taught, and soft, stretched over his muscles. I snuggled back against his chest and traced a finger down his shaped biceps. I followed the ridges and the dips and the raised wiry cords of muscle. He let out a breath and I drew back my finger, glancing at his face to make he sure he hadn’t woken up. He relaxed again and I let out a sigh. His arms were tight around my waist, holding me close to him firmly. It felt nice, being so close to him, to be held by him without a care in the world or anyone else to bother us. I gazed into his face, admiring the broad planes of his cheeks, the square line of his jaw, the thick lash rimmed lids that I knew hid a pair of hypnotizing gold eyes.  I raised my hand again and drew my index fingers across his jaw line and then over his cheeks bones. His skin was soft and smooth- silk over steel under my fingertip. His eyes flicked under their lids once and then settled again. He sighed.

 I withdrew my finger and bit my lip. It was wrong- wrong to look at him that way, the man who saved me from myself, the man that cared for me when no one else did. That’s why I couldn’t stay with him. I had to protect him, this fragile human man who loved a monster. I had to relish what time I had left with him, that minuscule amount. Soon, I would be gone- forever.  I wanted to stay so badly, though, to fall into Nolan’s arms and never let go, to pour out all my worries without fear. I wish I could tell him, tell him what’s going on and what’s wrong. I could answer that, though- everything.  His face was like an open book- an open book with blank pages, waiting to be filled with words, phrases, stories. Mine was covered in furious red scribbles, depicting a life of horror, misery, and death. It’s a life I would wish on no one. My throat seemed to catch on something invisible. I bit my lip and ran my eyes over his face again. I slowly leaned forward and brushed my lips ever so lightly against his- a chaste kiss.  A quiet sigh from his nose.

I jerked away. Guilt shredded though me. I shoved out of his arm and clambered off the bed. Nolan woke with a start, groggily staring at me. His arm stretched out lightning fast despite his lack of awareness. He clasped onto my wrist, his large hand that dwarfed mine holding tight. I was tugged to a stop and I looked over at him. His normally bright golden eyes glowed a sharp amber. His face was groggy but his eyes held a keen edge of alertness. I gulped. A lazy smile hinting mischief spread over his chiseled lips. I furrowed my brows and pinched my mouth. His eyes traveled down my face and over my body where the grin grew into more of a smirk. I blinked and glanced down. I was clad only in underwear. A lacy black bra with a matching pair of underwear. I gasped and immediately covered my mouth with the back of my hand, blushing a furious, rose red. I tried to turn away but his hand caught me again.

“Nolan!” I hissed so embarrassed I could barely speak. “How-!” His smirk danced in his still amber eyes that had taken on something she had never seen before.

“This was not my doing. Though, I don’t mind it in the least bit,” he purred. My breath came out in a huff of surprise. I remembered then. It was the middle of the night and I was burning hot. It was a dreary groggy memory. I had thrown back the covers and shucked off my nightgown with no second thought. I hadn’t even realized it when I woke up. I gasped. OHMYGOD, my mind screamed, THIS IS WORSE THAN IN THE KITCHEN. OHMYGOD. I tugged harder but he would not let go, instead he yanked me. I fell back into the bed. I flopped down only holding myself up with my forearms. He yanked me down so I fell into curve against his body. He wrapped an arm snug around my waist and pulled up the covers.

“You need more rest. Go back to sleep,” he mumbled. He snuggled in against me and promptly followed his own advice. I was gasping for air, shocked by the entire scene that had just unfurled. I felt a set of cool lips against the back of bare neck. My back went rigid. The lips stayed there.