Chapter 24
Anya
Kodi makes it incredibly hard to stay awake after making me scream like that. The way he’s so in tune with my body, that he seems to know exactly what I need, before I even know myself.
With his warm body up against me, his chest at my back, and his large arms wrapped around me, it’s even harder to keep myself from falling into the tempting slumber beckoning me.
“Kodi?” Thinking of my own climax induced exhaustion, I realize I needed to make sure he’s still awake before I go off on a monologue of sorts.
He grumbles incoherently into my mass of hair that he’s nuzzled himself in to.
Using the obnoxious amount of strength it takes to move this giant man’s muscles, I wriggle myself in his arms until I’m facing him.
I bring my hands up so that I can hold his face as I drop mostly sweet, but also persistent, kisses across his cheeks until his eyes open, one eyebrow lifting in silent question.
“I have an idea.” It’s all I can force myself to say, making sure I have his full, conscious attention.
His other eyebrow climbs up his forehead to join the other, but still he says nothing.
Allowing my eyes a break from looking at him, I stare directly at his chest. He notices and does that stupid pec popping thing, making me giggle. “I was thinking . . . maybe we could take a trip for the Christmas break.”
His eyes light up and I can feel the wave of relief crash over us, but I haven’t dropped the proverbial bomb yet.
“Please tell me you’re thinking of somewhere cold as all fuck,” he begs, taking his own turn to smother me in fresh kisses.
I nod and lean into him, kissing him hard before suggesting against his lips, “I was thinking . . . I’d really love if you wanted to show me your home.”
He stills completely, and I find myself holding my breath.
His eyebrows are now crammed together on his forehead in confusion, and a bit of pain can be felt through our bond.
I don’t want to hurt him. I’m trying to help.
He clearly misses his home and his family.
He’s told me as much on multiple occasions.
“Why would you ask me that?” He can’t see what I’m trying to do. That I’m trying to help.
I open my mouth to explain myself, but he pulls himself away from me, rising off the bed. He paces back and forth, his hands yanking the roots of his hair much more roughly than he’s ever gripped mine.
Reaching for him as I scoot myself awkwardly across the bed, I try to explain. “I thought with everything going on . . . maybe now is a good time. The right time?”
He stops pacing and looks at me with so much emotion swirling in his black eyes.
“I thought with us together we could both start over. You with your family and me . . . I was thinking maybe you could be my shot at having my first real Christmas.” I offer him a sad smile and lift my shoulders. “Who knows, I might even find I can love the holiday.”
At my words, all the muscles in his body visibly relax as though he’s melting where he stands.
My arm is still outstretched toward him, patiently waiting for him to take it. When he finally does, he runs his thumb over my hand before pulling me off the bed and onto my feet, wrapping me in his arms.
He once again buries his face in my hair, this time in the crook of my neck. “Can I think about it?” he mumbles against me.
Running my fingers through his hair and away from his face, I pour as much love and understanding as I can through our bond. “Of course.”