I sighed softly and just allowed myself to feel for once and enjoy the outdoors without the pressure of wondering if I was going to end up as the cover of a tabloid or a magazine and without thinking about work or my deadlines.
I let my head rest against his shoulder and I felt him tense for a second before he relaxed against me and pulled our entwined hands into his lap.
We stayed like that, barely watching the movie and just enjoying the calmness of the other’s company. The sound from the TV and the warmth from his skin had me more comfortable than I have been in a long time.
I closed my eyes to savor the experience and imprint it into my brain when I heard his voice. It was so soft, almost like he didn’t want me to hear.
“Tu n’as aucune idée a quel point je suis heureux d’etre ton premier endez-vous.”
CHAPTER 22: DAY 3 IN HELL
By the time the movie was over, I was already half asleep. I can barely remember the walk back to the inn or how I even got to my bed. All I remembered was sitting under the night sky with Nathan and the next thing I realized, I was waking up at the crack of dawn.
Against my better judgment I went out to the balcony and sat on one of the folded chairs. It was cold and goose bumps covered my skin but somehow the view just made it worth it.
Back home I was always on the go and I had never sat to watch the sunrise or heard the birds chirping in the morning. Even if I wanted to, I would probably just end up watching sky scrapers, street lights and heard the sound of impatient drivers and the busy street. It is all I have ever known but this is a welcome surprise and distraction.
“Hey,” I didn’t hear Nathan’s door open but I felt him take a seat next to me, “I didn’t think you’d be up this early.”
“I could say the same for you.”
“You’re freezing,” he disappeared into the room and returned with a plain black hoodie and handed it over to me.
“You didn’t have to,” I took it from him, “But thank you.”
“I thought I was going to have to force it on you.”
I rolled my eyes as I pulled it over my head, “I am not one to refuse something that could potentially help me.” I turned my back to him, “Can you help me pull my braids out of it?”
“You’re as stubborn as a mule Adira,” his hands brushed the back of my neck as he gathered my hair in his hands and helped me pull it out, “I’m never sure with you.”
“I take offense to being called a mule.”
“I didn’t say you were a mule, I said you were as stubborn as one. Do you need your hearing checked?”
“Do you want to be punched in the throat?” I asked and he laughed.
It wasn’t a small chuckle but rather a full blown laugh of amusement, one that came right out of his belly. His body vibrated from the sheer force of it and smile lines broke out around his eyes. That evasive dimple etched itself onto his skin and I couldn’t help but watch.
I can count on one hand the number of times I have since him laugh with such reckless abandon and it did something to me to know that I was the reason he was laughing like this. It filled me with a sick sense of pride and joy.
He wiped a stray tear out of his eye as his laughter finally settled, “I’d pay to see you actually punch someone in the throat.”
“Well it’s a good thing you’ll have a front row seat then. That way you won’t miss any of the action.”
“You really are a ray of sunshine.”
I pinched his side and he laughed again. It was the same sound and it had the same effect on me. I couldn’t help but laugh alongside him. The wind carried the sounds and I’m sure if anyone saw us now they would think we were crazy. Maybe we were, because that had to be the only plausible explanation as to why I was out here with Nathan of all people and I was having a good time.
Alas, all good things must come to an end and that came in the form of a knock on Nathan’s door. It startled us both, instantly breaking whatever spell had been cast on our little halo. Nathan stood up to answer the door and I heard the familiar southern drawl that belonged to Darius.
I allowed my curiosity get the best of me and I made my way into his room. The first thing I noticed was how neat it was. His bag was set carefully at the bottom of the open closet and his clothes were folded inside. The bed was perfectly made and his laptop sat opened on the polished wooden table.
I know that I am not messy but I felt like a slob in that moment. I barely ever make my bed and my box was still packed.
“Good morning,” Darius said with a wide smile.
He was dressed in jeans, a plaid shirt and boots and he way too bright and cheery for anyone to before 7 a.m.
