Part 47

When I woke up the following morning, I felt weightless, a pleasant ache clinging inside with his heavy arm draped around my middle. I didn’t have the strength to untangle my legs from Abel’s, toes brushing along his ankles, or detach my hands from him.

I turned my face into his chest, muffling the groan that threatened to stumble over my lips. It went down to my toes and tingled my fingertips as I breathed hotly over his chest while his scent surrounded us like a cocoon.

“What’s your favourite place?”

For a moment, I went quiet, trying to wrap my head around the weird question all of a sudden. Clearing my throat, I tilted my head. “Huh?”

“Your favourite place to travel,” He repeated, a hand inching towards my messy hair.

I opened my mouth to reply, but all that came out was a gasp as he curled his fingers in my hair.

My voice went thin and hoarse once I managed to take enough air in to be able to form proper thoughts and words. “I don’t know,” I sighed, trying to pay back in kind, the cold tip of my nose pressed at the spot between his collarbones, blood already coming up to the surface.

“Never really travelled as a child to have a favourite place.” I hummed, watching Adam’s apple bob when he swallowed.

“Oh.”

At the look on his face, I elaborated, “When my mother passed away, my father neglected us and turned to alcohol. It’s alright. I had Edward. We made it work.”

He pressed a kiss on top of my head, the gesture making my stomach tighten. “You did.”

This was dangerous territory. I instantly cleared my throat, moving away. “What’s yours?”

“There’s this place my parents used to take me before they split up….” He started close to my ear, sending a shiver down his spine and adding to the sensations setting my body on fire. I felt my mouth go dry. “It’s in the mountains, hushed and away from the crowd, so we made a day out.” He added after a moment, his other hand firm on the small of my back, anchoring me. The Alpha twisted his wrist while I began picturing Abel as a pup in a field of bright flowers when the burst of heat rippled through my body.

“My father fished while I,” He fondly sighed, “picked the flowers and put them in my mother’s hair until it was all in knots. She laughed a lot that day.”

“Sounds like you all had a wonderful time.”

He hummed. “Little did I know it was our last picnic together.”

I rubbed my nose against his chest, making a soft noise in the back of my throat. “I am sorry.”

“I am fine.”

He rolled us, his weight pressing me into the mattress, heat blazing where our hips were flush, and my legs fell open to accommodate him. I had half a mind to be embarrassed of the noises that I couldn’t keep in as he kept moving his hand in my hair, even in our new position. My teeth sunk on the plush of my bottom lip, my cheeks flushed, sweat pearling on my forehead, and I had no idea how he could sound so composed.

“I want to take you there.” His left arm was tight around my body, inching our faces closer, and my mouth fell open to the quiet gasps. My head kept swimming, and my mind felt melting at the raw admission. “Someday. Maybe when it’s warmer to have a nice picnic.”

Before, I wasn’t sure just yet where this was heading, but hearing Abel say something like that was surprising. I was getting pulled in more and more, and I listened as words painted an image of that picnic. The Alpha continued to say one thing after the other, and I placed a firm hand above my heart to calm down and take a breath.

***

As I slipped into my shared flat with Allie, the pullback into reality was almost violent. My best friend expression’s was carefully blank when I approached, just watching me as my behind plopped on the couch, legs folding together. She was right on her heels, but I went quiet and knowing that’s not a good sign, but there’s guilt inside.

I could also feel my hackles rising because Abel had made me laugh this morning, tripping over the furniture as he planned my escape.

“Are you just going to stand there and stare all day?” I bit out, irritated, and I know my anger was not with Allie, but I was feeling unbalanced. “Or is there an actual point to you being here?”

Something fluttered across her features, and I had no time to identify it before she glared at me.

“Are you serious right now? I am the one who should be angry here, Em. You were supposed to tell me if you planned to stay the night. Do you realise how irresponsible—”

I cursed, cutting her off, but there wasn’t much I could say in my defence, at least nothing that made any sense—rubbing the fingertips over my face, eyes stinging because I was wedged between a rock and a hard place.

“What’s going on with you? Come on, tell me.”

I wanted to because this was weighing me down, but I wouldn’t know what to say. As of now, it did not even make sense to me, but I needed to see Abel, to be with him even if it’s just for a few hours, making the most out of whatever time we get together. Somehow I think easier if I kept it to myself while it lasted, because I was afraid of what Allie might think of me.

Also, I was equally afraid of saying it out loud because it meant merging the two separate lives I have been leading, and it’s been a real problem trying so hard to keep them apart.

“I really can’t,” I repeated, almost cringing at the hurt, worried at the expression that flashed across her features. “But it’s nothing serious, I promise you. The dinner lasted for a while, and I lost track of time.”

Allie didn’t say anything but nodded her head as if she was tired of fighting. “I am glad that you are back in one piece.”

***

The cool breeze ruffled at my loose hair while I typed hastily on the laptop, eyes narrowed together. After that near escape interrogation with Allie, I got dressed for my classes. The last thing I needed was to fall behind on my assignments.

“Woah…no one’s taking the laptop away from you,” Naya grumbled as she settled her tray next to me, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and grilled sandwich hitting me at once.

“That smells delicious,” I murmured, still not looking at her.

Avon came to sit in front of me, a casual smile. “Hey…Do you want one?” The Alpha asked while forwarding his plate, my fingers stilling. Why was he acting so calm and friendly?

It’s a good thing. I reminded myself—better this than the sudden confession from the night before.

“I am not hungry but I could go for coffee…” I said while eyeing Nayas cup who simply pulled it closer to her chest and made a face. “I am not sharing…I already asked if you wanted one and you said no.”

“In my defence I wasn’t listening.”

“Then suffer.” She huffed.

I twisted my lips, watching Avon wipe at his hand as he began to stand up, “Don’t worry I can get you a cup…”

Before he could finish his sentence someone placed a tray on our table, almost startling me. Looking up I noticed the guy who worked behind the counter, a giddy smile on his face. “Here is your coffee.”

“But I didn’t order anything.” I said in a puzzled tone, closing my laptop.

“Oh don’t worry. It’s already been taken care of. Enjoy your coffee.”

“Who paid it?” I questioned but the guy already turned on his feet and walked away. Huh.

“Don’t drink that!” Avon said with a scowl on his face, his jaw clenching as he sat down. “It may be laced with something.”

Naya rolled her eyes. “It’s just a coffee, Avon.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Do you?”

I held my hand in middle, halting their bickering with a click of my tongue. “No need to fight…” That’s when I saw Abel passing by, a grin playing on his lips. He eyed my coffee with a smug look. Oh.

“Thank you.” I mouthed in his direction, my cheeks flushing bright red.

“I will drink this coffee.” I exhaled, feeling excitement in the pool of my stomach. He did it for me. Though it’s not something to get teary about but no one did anything like this.

Avon made a face, grumbling about how it’s unsafe all while I ignored and took a huge sip of the coffee.

***