Page 44 of Light in Your Eyes (Romero Brothers #1)

Layla

"It's supposed to be somewhere around here," Kellan says in an irritated tone.

Today, we're going to spend time in the hammock in the woods. We've been walking for quite a while, but unfortunately, we still can't find it yet.

"As far as I remember, it's not that far," he mutters.

I can only sigh. It's been ages since he went to that hammock — and he hadn't lost his sight the last time he went there — so I totally understand if he can't immediately find his way back there. Yet, as usual, Kellan is being too hard on himself.

"That's okay," I mumble. "I'm actually quite enjoying walking in the woods."

I travel my eyes around the forest, gazing at the beautiful redwoods and rust-colored trunks. The afternoon breeze blows softly, creating the rustling sound of the leaves.

Indeed, spending time with Kellan in the hammock would be a perfect way to spend our time until evening comes before we have dinner later at the cabin.

It's when my eyes dart to our surroundings that I suddenly spot it. "Over there," I exclaim as I find the green hammock attached to the trees. "We found it, Kellan. We did it."

Kellan sighs in relief while I instinctively tighten my grip on the straps of my backpack with excitement. I've packed our drinks and other necessities for us to have a relaxing time in the hammock. This does look like a perfect getaway.

When we reach the hammock, I put my backpack down and drop to my knees to check our stuff, but the moment I can't find the books we're going to read together, my heart sinks.

"Oh, God."

"What?" Kellan frowns, sounding alarmed.

"I forgot to bring the new books I bought for us. I think I left it in the cabin." I snap my palm onto my forehead, squeezing my eyes shut.

I'm so stupid.

How could I forget? I was such in a hurry.

He sighs. "Wait here." He's about to turn around when I grab his arm.

"No. Where are you going?"

"Getting the books," he says like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Quickly, I shake my head in disagreement. It's stupid because he can't see me.

"I'll go get it," I say. "Just wait for me here."

Kellan looks doubtful, but I'm sure that I should be the one doing it. He's the one who led the way here, but having no sight will trouble him again, especially since he hasn't completely readjusted to the surroundings here.

"Trust me," I urge. "I remember the way. I'll be back in no time."

Before he can complain, I rush back to the cabin, running through the woods.

It's actually not a hard path to follow because the ground where we stepped on looks like it's been walked on countless times.

The hammock I saw just now is still pretty decent and in good condition despite the long years of not being used, so I guess that the cleaner Jackson paid takes care of it regularly.

Once I reach the cabin, I rush into the bedroom and find the books I was planning to pack still lying on the bed. I curse myself for my stupidity. It's when I snatch them that I hear the sound of water dropping against the roof.

I snap my head toward the window and find that it's starting to rain.

Oh, God. Kellan.

My heart beats faster, knowing that it's his fear to be in the rain.

Unfortunately, when I step out of the cabin, the rain has poured even harder.

No, please. Not now.

My boots stomp the ground when I make my way back to the hammock. My pulse quickens. I pant nervously as the rain falls extremely harshly.

I'm soaked from head to toe, and I have to stop because I suddenly can't see anything due to how hard it's raining. The water runs down my face rapidly, and I blink a few times to regain my sight.

Thunder strikes, startling me. My chest heaves up and down as my teeth start to chatter because of the coldness. I'm trying my best to find my way back to the hammock, but it's so difficult because suddenly everything around me looks the same.

"Kellan," I shout at the top of my lungs, but the sound of the harsh rain muffles my voice.

This. This is exactly what Kellan fears.

And he's alone now. I have to find him. Fast.

My worry about him escalates. I run faster, blindly. I can feel what he's feeling, as though our souls are the same.

Fear consumes me when I continue to look for him, like a panicked deer in the forest.

"Kellan." My throat hurts because of screaming his name.

Just when I feel like bursting into tears, I find him.

Standing alone in the middle of the woods and pouring rain.

He freezes on the spot, as though he can't even move an inch.

My shaky legs bring me closer to him, and when I touch his arms, I notice that his whole body is trembling.

I pull him into a tight hug and cry, "Oh, God. I found you, Kellan. I found you. I'm here."

He's still not moving, and I tighten my hold on him like my life depends on him.

I'd never been this worried about someone.

The rain keeps pouring down on us. It's cold, and I embrace him even more in my arms. I want to make him warm, although it feels like an impossible task. I wish I could transfer all the warmth in my body, just to save him. I don't care if I'm the one left in coldness .

Slowly, Kellan starts to move his arms. Even though he's still shaking all over, he wraps his arms around me. Relief washes over me, and my tears mingle with the rain streaming down my face.

"It's okay. It's all right. I'm right here," I rasp.

He tightens his grip around my body, and I bury my face in his chest.

***

The sound of the wood being burned inside the fireplace fills the room. Kellan and I are wrapped in a blanket. We're sitting in front of the fireplace.

The heat has made us stop shivering, and my heart has started calming down. We've tossed our drenched clothes, but we're not naked. I've changed into a pair of pajamas, and Kellan is wearing shorts.

I look up at Kellan, who's staring toward the fire. His side view — hit by the light emitting from the flame in this dim-lit room — is perfect. I wonder how someone could have such perfect features.

I can see the reflection of the fire dancing in his mesmerizing gray eyes, and I wish that I could capture this beautiful sight.

"What are you thinking about?" I whisper.

He doesn't answer for a long moment, but then he says, "I don't know. Everything."

My brows furrow. I hug my knees tighter, leaning closer to him under the blanket. "Tell me," I say gently.

He still doesn't shift his gaze to me. "I want you to be happy, Layla. "

My frown grows deeper as I wonder what's on his mind. I shake my head, and a small smile touches my lips. "I am," I say without any ounce of doubt. "Especially now. I'm happy being here with you."

I hear nothing from him, so I touch his cheek, making him turn his head toward me.

"Are you?" I ask, staring into his eyes and hoping to see the light in them again. I think that I'm seeing it now, but I can't be sure because Kellan rarely smiles.

"Here with you?" he asks.

I wait for him to say more. I'm dying to know his answer.

"You have no idea," he speaks through clenched teeth.

I wish he could just give me a yes or no answer because his words confuse me. Yet, deep in my heart, I know the answer.

"Kiss me," I whisper, wanting him to erase any doubt I have in my mind.

I'll find the answer again in the way he kisses me. I found it before.

Kellan's face draws closer to mine, and I close my eyes. His lips brush against mine, and I feel my heart burst.

He moves his lips against mine, slowly, carefully, like I'm a fragile thing that he can break at any time. But then, his chest starts to rise and fall. His breathing becomes quicker, like he can't hold the emotions building up inside him.

He kisses me more urgently, with such passion. I can't help but touch his chest. I need to feel him more. I need him.

He shudders as my fingers graze his bare chest. He puts his hand on my nape, deepening our kiss. Then he licks my lower lip, asking for permission. When I give it to him, he caresses my tongue with his. I moan, and it sounds so vulnerable, echoing in the silent room.

The temperature seems to increase significantly, and I know that it's not because of the fireplace next to us.

Kellan travels his hand upward to my hair. He gently runs his fingers through it before he suddenly grabs a fistful of it. He tilts my neck to the side, and the next thing I feel is his butterfly kisses along my neck.

My moans are now mixed with gasps. I'm burning from his touch. My lips part as I close my eyes. I want to feel him more and more.

"Fuck," he curses under his breath before returning his lips to mine.

I arch, wrapping my arms around his neck and settling myself on his lap. His hands caress my back and waist — I can even feel his fingers slipping under my pajama top to feel the skin on my back.

"Layla," he warns.

But I can't think clearly.

We kiss, kiss, and kiss like we need each other to breathe.

Kellan gasps as I unknowingly grind my hips against his. The next thing I feel is being pushed backward until my back lies on the wooden floor with a thud.

My eyes snap open, only to find Kellan towering over me with hunger in his eyes. He secures my wrists with one hand and places them above my head.

I enjoyed touching him with my hands, but I would be lying if I said that his dominance didn't turn me on .

He's panting, and I am too.

"I'm sorry. I can't," he says in a painful whisper.

I can only stare at him with a lost expression.

"I really can't. I'm not ready to take it further." He shuts his eyes in frustration. "It fucking hurts."

I can hear his ragged breathing. I wonder what is wrong because he indeed looks like he's in pain. Worry stirs my insides. I wait in silence as he tries to compose himself.

Kellan opens his eyes again, and the look he gives me is so intense. He slowly guides my hand to touch his chest, and when my palm is placed over his heart, I can feel how hard it's thumping. It's crazy. It feels like it's about to burst out of his chest.

He swallows, keeping his hold on my wrist to make me feel his heartbeat longer.

"This is why I can't do it," he says in a hoarse voice.

"I'm blind, but my other senses are overwhelmed when it comes to you.

My heart is about to explode every time we touch, every time I feel your skin on mine, your lips on mine, your breath against my skin, your moans in my ear.

Fuck . Layla, I can't fucking control my heart if you do that to me. "

He's literally shaking, and tears pool in my eyes.

I never thought that our closeness would be too overwhelming for him because of his heightened senses. I felt that my heart was about to burst, but I didn't know that his was even worse.

"I'm sorry." I swallow. "I shouldn't have..." I falter, stumbling upon my words.

I feel flattered and embarrassed at the same time.

"I should have known that you were not ready," I say .

Kellan sighs. I sit up, watching him stare down at the floor. There's a blush creeping onto his cheeks, and I just can't resist the urge to hug him.

I circle my arms around his neck and bury my face in his nape. "Just a hug. I promise."

A few seconds pass in silence before he whispers, "Okay."