Page 61 of Cloudless
ICE QUEEN
KAM
I wake from a dream only to discover that the dream is my new reality.
That Lila’s warmth really is radiating into me from her spot on my chest. That she gave herself to me last night with no reservations or hesitations.
Her blonde curls standout against my dark sheets as her chest rises with every gentle breath.
Dim light cascades through the window over our untouched pile of clothes at the foot of the bed. The tidy sheets and dreamless night allude to the best night's sleep I think I’ve ever had.
Lila shifts in my arms and her mango scent washes over me like a tidal wave. Her soft exhale against my chest sends chills racing down my spine as memories of her making a very similar sound last night float to the surface of my mind.
A quick glance at the clock shows it's just after eight in the morning. I hesitantly run my fingers through the soft tendrils of her hair draped over my arm. “It’s time to wake up, Sunshine.”
Her soft groan brings a smile to my face. “What time is it?”
“It’s just after eight. The twins will get up soon, if they aren’t already.”
Her nose is cold against my heated skin as she burrows farther into my chest. “Just five more minutes.”
My gentle laugh vibrates against her smooth skin. “Is this why you were always late for our morning class? And here I pegged you as a morning person.”
The usually warm depths of her blue eyes turn icy as she looks up at me with a frown on her pouty lips. “Why would you think that? I hate the mornings.”
My shrug shifts her on my chest. “You’re the brightest person I know.
It would make sense for you to be a morning person.
” My voice turns to nearly a growl as I run my hands up her bare back.
“I’ve learned a lot about you over the past twenty-four hours.
You turn into an ice queen in the mornings, you kick in your sleep, and you make the sexiest noises when you come. ”
Her scoff makes my smile grow even more as her icy eyes meet mine once again. “I do not kick in my sleep!”
I nod my head. “How would you know? I bet I’ve got the bruises on my legs to prove it, too!”
She rolls her eyes as some of the ice melts from their depths. “You play hockey, Trouble. You always have bruises on your legs.”
My arms tighten around her back. “Yeah, but these bruises would be from you.”
She raises a brow. “You say that like it’s a good thing.”
“I’ll wear them as a badge of honor if it means I get to have you in my bed every night, Sunshine.”
A smile blooms on her face as more of the ice melts from her eyes. “Aww, you’re so romantic in the mornings, Trouble.”
The tips of my fingers dig into her sides. “In the mornings? What are you talking about? I’m always romantic.”
I’m rewarded by her muscles tightening against my side and a squeal so loud it could wake the dead. Her voice turns breathless as I continue my tickle assault. “Fine! Fine! You’re romantic all the time! Just spare me from your tickling, at least until I’ve had breakfast!”
My fingers soothe away her sensations left behind from my assault as I laugh. “So you’re saying I can have my way with you after we eat breakfast?”
Her warm eyes shine as bright as her smile as she catches her breath. “No.” Her smile turns mischievous as she says, “But you can have your way with me after we play in the snow.”
My smile mimics hers. “It’s a date, then.”
I plant a quick kiss on her nose that pulls a laugh from her lips. “As much as I would like to stay and take advantage of your nose kisses, I can’t ignore the screaming of my bladder.”
My smile turns splitting. “You want to take advantage of me?”
Her eye roll can’t hide the magnitude of the smile on her face. “You know what I mean. Now let me up before I pee myself!”
I reluctantly release my hold on her waist as she wiggles away from me. “Fine! We’ve got to get downstairs, anyway. I’m sure Mace already has breakfast—” My words stall in my mouth as the blanket falls away from her chest.
My elbows sink into the plush mattress as I sit up. Her laugh shakes the swell of her breasts as I lose all train of thought. “My eyes are up here, Trouble.”
“I know where they are.” My gaze doesn’t move an inch.
“These past few months, I’ve spent most of my time memorizing every shade of blue present in the depths of your eyes.
Every fleck of gray and every thread of silver that only sparkles when you’re in the sunshine.
I’ve spent the last few months forcing myself to look at nothing but your eyes.
So, yes, Sunshine, I know where your eyes are.
I’m just choosing not to look at them right now. ”
She clears her throat as her legs squeeze together under the comforter. “Alright then, I’ll just, um, go use the bathroom then.”
I catalogue every new inch of skin that’s exposed as she wiggles out of the blanket. I admire every tan line that’s now visible in the dim morning light streaming through the sheer curtains.
I struggle to swallow as her feet land on my hardwood floors, and her bare back comes fully into view. I struggle to breathe as her hips sway with every step she takes while she walks away. Relief only comes as the bathroom door closes, sealing her away from my view.
Only then can I catch my breath.
Only then can my thoughts clear enough to realize having Lila in my space is quickly becoming a requirement.
A necessity.
As important as breathing.
A chorus of voices and the metallic scrape of cutlery on ceramic transforms the kitchen into a living entity. The smell of bacon permeates the air like a beacon, calling all the residents of this house to a central location with the promise of a home-cooked meal.
Dax’s voice booms through the space as his hand pauses halfway to his mouth with a fork full of scrambled eggs. “Nice of you to join us, Kila. If you would have waited much longer, the food would have been gone.”
I raise a brow as Mace hands me a plate stacked high with pancakes. “Kila? Really, Dax?”
He shrugs as he talks around a mouth full of eggs. “What? All the cool people have a couples’ name.”
Jasper grins next to him as syrup runs down his chin. “Cool! What can my couples’ name be?”
Posey rolls her eyes as she cuts up her pancake from her seat next to him. “You have to be in a couple before you can have a couples’ name, dummy.”
Lila’s spine turns rigid as her eyes laser in on her sister. “We don’t call people that, Posey. How would you feel if Jasper called you a dummy?”
Posey’s face falls as she looks over at her brother’s sad eyes. “Not very good.”
Lila nods next to me. “Right. So what should you do?”
Posey lets out a deep breath as she wraps her tiny arms around her brother. His sweatshirt muffles her words. “Sorry, Jas.”
His arms tighten around her as he smiles. “It’s okay. You can make it up to me by helping me build a snowman later.”
She nods as she pulls away from the hug with a smile. “Deal.”
Mace’s face holds a look of awe as he watches them. “If only the world's problems could all be solved by making snowmen.”
The tension falls from Lila’s shoulders, and a smile takes over her face as she looks down at the plate Mace just handed her. “Aww, Mace! Blueberry pancakes are my favorite breakfast food!”
The wink he sends her has my hackles raising before I remember he’s my best friend. “I know.” Lila’s raised brows add to Mace’s smile. “I asked you what your favorite breakfast food was the first night I met you at The Penalty Box. I figured that information would come in handy someday.”
Lila’s face flames as she stares at our friend with open mouthed shock. “You knew you’d be making me breakfast someday?”
His shrug shifts his apron around his shoulders. “I just had a feeling.”
Dax shakes his head from his spot at the table. “You and your feelings, man.”
Mace’s arms fold across his chest, despite the spatula in his hand. “What? I can’t help that I’m observant!”
I scoop a serving of scrambled eggs and bacon onto mine and Lila’s plates as I look around the kitchen in search of my third roommate. “Speaking of observant people, where’s Ranger?”
Posey dabs the syrup from the corner of her mouth like the lady she is. “He went to get Ellie. She wants to come play in the snow with us.”
He went to get her even though the roads are still covered in snow?
I don’t let the worry show in my voice as I take my seat at the table. “Well, we better finish up so we can get outside! We’ve got to take full advantage of our snow day.”
The twins' efforts double as they shovel food into their mouths. The tension doesn’t fall from my shoulders until I hear the slamming of Wyatt’s truck doors outside. Only then can I finally relax and enjoy breakfast with my family.