Page 7

T he heat of the sun was like a flick of switch during the day. It was the only thing that jarred him awake. That and the soft echo of a groan that reverberated from his arms. Angel blinked his eyes open lazily, completely at peace until something shifted against his chest. It was then he realized where he was. Who he was with. The thoughts resurfaced, and with what he proudly held as great restraint, Angel peered down at her.

Ray stirred, her eyes scrunching at the sunlight that poured on her skin, casting her in a honey glow. His hands around her tightened, a short breath leaving him as she lazily turned in his arms, inching closer so she was no longer sleeping with her back to his chest. Instead pressed her forehead right below his chin and fell back into a cocooned sleep. Angel’s lips twitched, wide awake now as he watched the girl before her.

Her breath fell on his skin hotly, her entire body heaving with the action. Angel’s hands were wrapped around her waist, one of which was deathly numb. But he couldn’t really bring himself to care, because his gaze was bent on her dark hair. On those blue highlights that twisted as he pressed his lips atop her head.

A soft hum left her lips then and she nuzzled closer. A bubble of laughter left his tongue as he loosened his hold enough for her to move. Ray barely stirred at the sound. Only breathed out in relief and fell asleep again. Raylene Walker might be the most wanted woman in the world, but she slept like the dead. They’d fallen asleep on the ground last night after leaving their discussions behind .

Angel had bared his soul, had told her everything the best

he could and had later tugged her closer.

Forced her to switch on a movie so he could stare at her in peace. That was of course, until she’d shoved his face away and had growled at him to quit acting like a fucking doofus.

Angel frowned at the memory. He thought he’d done a pretty great job at being romantic. Raylene Walker just didn’t know romance, he’d decided when she’d fallen asleep against him and hadn’t stirred since. He glanced down at her now, and carefully tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, blinking at her serene face. Last night had been distraught, devastating. But somehow it had brought both of them into this spotlight. One both of them had been relieved to step into for the first time.

He sighed deeply at what was going to come next. At what needed to be done.

“Don’t sigh so deeply,” came her sudden light voice, and Angel jumped, his hold on her tightening, “You’ll ruin our day.”

Our day.

Goodness he was getting childish.

Still, a satisfied smile lifted the corner of his lips as he felt Ray’s head lift, her chin brushing his shirt as she peered up at him. Some remanent of sleepiness still marred her expression, but the scowl was evident as she registered where they were. He watched her, his grin growing as she blinked once. And again.

And let out a strangled sound.

“Why are we in bed?” her eyes darted up, a gasp on her lips. This close he could see the stark surprise register on her face. Could tease her a bit more as she gasped again and pulled away from him,

“ Why are we in bed?”

Angel winced and lightened his hold on her, and Ray pulled back further. His fingers were light on her waist, his thumb running idle circles against the fabric of her t-shirt as she blinked up at him.

“You don’t remember?” he asked cheekily, biting the inside of his cheek to keep himself from grinning as her eyes widened, “ You asked me to get you here.”

She had not asked him to get her here.

Angel grinned as her eyes darted around, trying to remember last night, He decided to slip in a silver of truth through his words though, “And you asked me to stay. I mean we’ve already kissed, I believe we’re already in a–”

His words cut off in a mph as she pressed her hands to his lips and glared up at him, “I didn’t ask you to get me here.”

His eyes narrowed, a smile gracing his lips behind her hand.

“I mean after what you did last night,” he began but only broke off in a laugh when Ray blinked once, something like panic washing over her expression. Angel subdued a satisfied smile as she jerked her hands back and slipped out of his hold. Angel let her go, watching her peacefully from the bed as she jumped off and looked everywhere else. He knew she’d take a while get accustomed to this. Had barely accepted that he was in it for the long haul.

Knew it would take some pushing from his end to get her to speak.

“Ray,” Angel said softly through the silence, a calm smile on his face as he got off the bed as well. She paused in her pacing and looked up at him, breathing harshly, all signs of sleep disappearing.

“Angel.” She said, her voice even.

But these past days, he’d learnt to read her .

Had memorized the soft tick in her jaw, the way she flexed her hands just once before relaxing them, before putting the cool mask over her face.

Raylene Walker didn’t have a lot of tells. She had cold eyes when she wanted to, could lie with a straight face and lived without showing a sign of her true feelings.

She did that now. And he knew exactly what she was going to say.

So he started first. Angel stepped forward, and her eyes flashed, something like surprise flaring through them as she put one foot back. His lips turned into that calm smile. Simply waiting. Simply watching.

He waited a beat before he extended his hand to cup the side of her face and pull her closer gently. Rubbed his thumb over her brow faintly and saw her composure weaken. His own heart was beating wildly in his chest. Slow, he’d have to take this slow and carefully. Because one wrong move and she could take the biggest step back.

Angel gulped, a flicker of doubt passing through his chest as he let go of her and said quietly,

“Take a shower. Then we’ll talk.”

And walked right out, hoping he was going about this the right way.

* *

Ray had been in the shower for a while now. The hot water slipped through her hair, trailed down the length of her spine as she placed her forehead against the warm walls of the washroom. She’d thought of it for a while now. Had replayed that expression over and over in her mind. And knew she’d seen doubt. Had seen a flicker of fear before he’d turned away and stepped out of her room. Ray had waited, had heard him walk to the other room, had heard him switch on the tap and had heard him switch it off. Only then she’d walked back into the washroom herself .

She remembered every moment from last night.

Knew he’d carried her all the way here. Knew he’d held her hand and knew she’d asked him to hold it for the rest of the night. It had been a rare mistake on her behalf. She still had to take care of the Larsens. Had to figure out a way to get back at the Ravens. Knew after last night, Angel had his way of ruining his own family in motion already.

So why did it scare her to face him now? Why did it feel as though her heart would–

Ray shook her head and banged a fist against the wall of her washroom. Might as well fucking face it. Might as well get it out there. If Angel wanted to be with her, he might as well know what he would have to deal with.

Ray stepped out in a frenzy, her brain a fried mess as she put on the first thing she saw and slammed the doors open. Angel was standing in the kitchen, his shoulders bunched up as he heard her walk out. She knew he did. And yet he didn’t turn. Just waited.

She didn’t know if she should hate him for it.

“I’m very clingy.” She started angrily, almost wincing at the volume of her voice. Fuck it, what did it matter anymore? This, him, it was all new to her. Fuck, it was scary. Because, this, them, it was a reckoning waiting to happen. Ray watched him, her entire body vibrating with anticipation as Angel placed whatever was in his hand on the counter and turned.

Froze.

His lips parted, and Ray knew exactly what he saw. Wet hair, her large hoodie. And nothing else. Angel’s yes darkened a fraction and set tingles running down her spine. Ray inhaled sharply.

He was wearing the same shirt from yesterday, same airdried hair, same look. And yet. Yet, he looked absolutely beautiful. Handsome .

Basked in sunlight.

Hers.

Angel’s eyes narrowed in her direction, but he just fished a hand through the soft strands of his hair and stepped on the other side of the island, leaning back against the counter. Ray blinked back into focus.

“So am I.” he countered, completely serious. Shit, Ray thought to herself, her jaw clenching, angry. She was angry. Because how dare he want to talk about this? How dare he speak his feelings out loud when she felt the exact same way? She shook her head again and breathed out,

“I’m high maintenance.”

“I have money.”

“So do I.” Ray snapped, and he just blinked.

“I know.” he said softly.

They paused, Ray breathing a bit harshly. How had they gotten here? How had she gotten here? Why had she gotten here?

“I sleep like a rock.” She said, the tad bit of anger washing away at the look in his eyes.

“I’ll manage to wake you.”

Her breath caught at the complete seriousness in his voice,

“I’m not looking for anything casual.”

His eyes flashed, “I don’t do casual.”

Oh. God. That fucking look.

“I get annoyed easily,” the bite was disappearing, and Angel was stepping closer and closer. He’d crossed the distance between them. And she’d stood her ground. Didn’t know how much longer she could hold it.

“I have patience. ”

She shuddered as he stepped into her space but tilted her chin upwards to look at him. Her resolve flickered, knowing where this was going.

“I might betray you,” She whispered, “Might kill you.”

“You can try.”

Ray scoffed and he leaned down. His amber eyes flickered with the warm sunlight. She hadn’t expected him to say anything. Hadn’t expected this, but had hoped for it, nonetheless. And somehow, Angel De Santos gave her exactly what she needed.

“I get nightmares a lot.” He whispered, but it sounded like a tentative question. Like he was asking her if she would–

“I get jealous easily, but I’ll trust you if you ask me to.”

Ray’s breath left her shortly as he continued quietly, his voice not shaking once. But she saw his hands, saw the way his fingers clenched nervously at his sides.

“I make a big deal out of the smallest things.” He continued, “You think you’re clingy, but I can barely think when you’re not around. I’d like you beside me.”

“You don’t need me?”she’d meant it as a teasing question, but her voice shook nonetheless.

His eyes flickered, “No.” he said quietly, and she couldn’t help a smile, her heart beating wildly in her chest, “I want you around me only if you can be.” He paused after that and leaned back up. She could feel the faint tremors that rocked his body. Five days , she thought as he looked down at her. As goosebumps erupted on her skin, five days had caused this.

Fucking island.

A strange silence descended upon them, and she saw the flicker of hurt in his eyes at that pause .

Saw him nod and taken a step back when a wave of panic washed over her. Following it came an odd sense of calmness and–

“I can manage your nightmares even if I sleep like a fucking rock.” Her voice was soft, enough to freeze him in his tracks. She looked up at him. His eyes were wide as he turned to face her, the terrible surprise so evident on his face that Ray had to take step forward, “I might have a thing for quiet, jealous boys,” a twitch of his lips at that,

“I like that you don’t need me.” She whispered and the devastation that fell upon his face was so dangerously close to breaking her heart that she couldn’t breathe anymore, “I don’t need you either.”

She looked up at him. Saw him look down at her as if he were holding himself back. She saw the tremors. Saw the upturn of his brows, the glistening eyes. His fisted hands, the pressed lips.

“But I’d like to be wanted by you.”

She waited for a beat. Tilted her head and smiled when he let out a sigh and put his face in his hands. Mumbled something. Ray arched a brow and took a step closer,

“What?”

He peeked from his hands and grinned a bit mischievously,

“Thank fucking God.”

A laugh burst through her at that, and she lifted her hands to her heated cheeks. Angel seemed to beam before her, standing up to his full height.

“Thank fucking God indeed.”

He rolled his shoulders at that but paused to wince at the movement, breaking their atmosphere. Her gaze caught on the expression, a frown burrowing her brows as she took a step in his direction, “What’s wrong? ”

“Bullet wound,” he said and braced his hand on his upper hand, “Don’t remember?”

Ray made a face at that and took another step ahead. Took his hand carefully in hers and pulled back the sleeve of his shirt, “I remember. Akash best directed. He was meant to shoot me in the shoulder.”

Angel hummed, leaning back against the counter as she frowned at the bandaged wound, “I didn’t expect you jump in the way.”

“I didn’t expect Akash to shoot you.” He mumbled and she blinked up at him. His handsome face was bright with the sun on his face, his amber eyes gleaming as he probed his head forward. Ray lifted her other hand to the side of his face. Wondered how they’d gotten from trying to kill one another to here. Locks of his dark chocolate hair tumbled down on his forehead as he leaned forward, a tilt to lips,

“Worried?”

She flicked his forehead.

“ Ow!”

Glared back at her as he flinched back. Ray turned to take another look at his hand, making sure that the white bandages were intact before taking a step back. His fingers wrapped around the collar of her hoodie though, making her pause in her tracks as he pulled her closer,

“Also,” He started, his voice low, his gaze dipping to her legs and back to her face again, “Are you teasing me, Raylene Walker?”

She had to bite the inside of her cheek from grinning,

“Is it working?”

“Yes,” he muttered and pressed his lips against her wild pulse on her neck. His voice was a rumble against her skin, “Quite fucking obviously. ”

And as much as she wanted to pull him closer and ask him to close the distance between them, a faint scent filled her lungs. Ray blinked, pulling back an inch.

Angel’s eyes glimmered in surprise, but Ray was already leaning sideways and–

“What is this?” she started and pulled away from him to eye the plates sitting on her kitchen platform and the scrambled eggs that were cooking on her induction. She blinked and was about to continue when a loud ding! filled the wind. Ray jumped back, a yelp on her tongue and turned sharply to see two pieces of bread pop up from the toaster.

She frowned. When the hell did she buy a toaster?

“Breakfast a foreign concept to you, Storm?” Angel asked from behind her, and she turned on her heels, her brows furrowed,

“No.” she looked at the toaster, “A toaster is.” She mumbled.

“Well,” he clapped his hands and walked over to stand beside her and began placing the hot bread and egg in the plates. Ray remained frozen at the sight, just watching him work until he turned with the plates in both his palms. He smiled at her, completely at peace with her frozen stance as he walked past her and placed the plates on the counter before taking a seat on one of the chairs on the other end. Ray’s breath seemed to stop in her throat when he tilted his head, and softened his eyes, and–

“Coffee.” She managed to say before turning to grab two mugs. She heard his soft chuckle and couldn’t help a smile of her own, “Hot or cold?” she asked.

“Hot please.”

She hummed and waited for it to brew .

“Hey Ray,” came his soft voice from behind her and Ray turned in the silence that followed. Bit her tongue to keep herself from running over the counter and engulfing this boy in her arms as he put his face in his hands and grinned at her,

“Get used to this.”

Fuck.

Ray hummed again, her breath stopping in her lungs as she turned to get the two mugs. She walked back slowly and placed the mugs before him without saying a word.

Angel looked up at her through the locks of his hair, his cheek in the palm of his hand. She saw the twinkle in his eyes, caught an expression she’d never seen before and suppressed a smirk.

Just leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth.

Angel froze, and she let her grin slip free. Kissed him again on the other side and sat back down with a satisfied oomph . She cleared her throat and turned to her plate to pick up the bread and took a bite out of it before turning to look at him. Almost spat out the bread at the offended yet surprised look on his face. A laugh left her lips as he scoffed loudly and turned to pick up his mug of coffee angrily.

“Get used to this.” She whispered as he took a sip of the coffee. Angel’s shoulder’s bunched and she could see he was trying to gulp and retort when–

Thud!

“RAYLENE WALKER!”

Angel choked on his coffee beside her as Ray jumped away from him in surprise, almost falling off her seat with the loud voice that blared through the calm atmosphere .

Angel coughed violently as she righted herself and heard a pad of footsteps echo through her room. Her eyes narrowed into a glare when Neera and Cameron strode through her doors, Ira and Akash following in tow.

Everyone’s except Ira’s eyes narrowed in their direction. Ira just ran to Angel and started patting his back,

“Thanks–” cough, “kid.” Angel wheezed as the other three walked closer. Ira turned to peer at Ray instead of responding, her gaze curious,

“Did you and Angel sleep together?”

That had Angel erupting into another row of coughs beside her. Ray winced and glared at the younger girl,

“Christ Ira,” she said as Angel groaned and put his face in his hands,

“Fuckin’ hell,” she heard his hoarse reply as Ira cackled evilly and turned to face Akash and Neera. Cameron was standing behind them, his hands crossed as the other two looked between Ray and Angel.

“What?” she snapped and got off her seat, “How the hell did you even know – ”

“Nope.” Came Akash’s whiplash of a response before Neera grabbed her hand and hauled her to the nearest room. Ray scoffed loudly but not before she heard Ira say to Angel solemnly,

“Come on Angel,” she said, “Your friends are waiting for you downstairs. You can go without seeing her for five minutes.”

“I will start hating you, Ira Walker.” Came Angel’s wheezing response as the door shut with a loud slam and all three of her friends stepped closer to her. Ray chuckled a bit nervously and crossed her arms,

“What?” she asked again.

Neera’s eyes narrowed, “You did something.”

Ray rolled her eyes .

But yes, she’d done something. Cameron sighed from behind Neera and signed at her,

“Look,” he started as Ray bit the inside of her cheek, “Unless you messed the plan by acting on your feelings for Angel, there isn’t anything–”

She blinked innocently.

And Cameron gasped. And then Akash gasped. And Neera sighed.

“You didn’t.”

“I kissed him.” She started softly, easing them into it and turned to face Akash. Her best friend groaned out loud and put his face in his hands. She bit her lip and probed,

“Akash?”

His words were muffled when he responded.

“Was it worth the plan?” He cried and Ray smiled a small tentative smile.

“Maybe.”

“I hate you.”

Cameron looked up at her then, his gaze narrowed, “You couldn’t have kissed him before we put it all in motion?” he signed aggressively.

“Sorry.”

“What are we supposed to do now?” Cameron signed and none of them seemed to notice the set of her jaw. Lay down a trap, she wanted to say but didn’t, and simply wait for the mole to walk in.

Neera groaned again, drawing her out of her daze,

“I fucking owe Myra ten bucks now.”