Chapter 16
NASH
Raven had gone still and turned away from me. If only I could see her face to get an idea of what she was thinking. With the energy sparking between us and the tension buzzing through my body, I wondered if she was remembering the last time we were alone on a dark night.
How many times had I imagined ignoring Rowan’s call and just continuing to kiss her?
I’d also thought of a million ways I could have handled that better. Hindsight. But I couldn’t change the past, no matter how much I wanted to.
“Raven.” I whispered her name, hoping she would look at me and see how much I wanted to kiss her.
She jolted at the sound and jumped off the bed. “I better clean up all this mess, so nothing gets spilled when we’re stumbling around in the dark.” She bustled through the cabin tidying up, putting food back into her cooler, and throwing away the paper plates.
When she was finished, she walked over to the window on the other side of the cabin. The furthest she could get from me without going outside. Then she turned and sat on the floor in front of the window. The paneling on that wall had already been removed, and the bare stud dug into her back when she sat back, causing her to flinch. She crossed her legs and leaned forward, her elbows on her knees and her chin resting on her fists. The darkness between us seemed to thicken, cutting her off from me.
“Did I do something wrong?” I asked.
A moment passed before she answered. “You called me by my name. You never call me Raven.”
“And that’s bad?”
“No. But it seems weird.”
“Okay. I’ll try not to do it again. Is that why you’re sitting on the floor as far away from me as possible?” I picked at a loose thread on the old quilt beneath me.
“I just needed some space. Is that so bad? I’m not used to being in such tight quarters with anyone.”
“Speaking of which, it’s pretty late, and I’m tired. What are we going to do about sleeping arrangements?”
She was quiet for a minute. “If there’s a blanket, I can sleep on the floor with Munch. You can have the bed.”
“No way. I would not be able to sleep, knowing you were sleeping on the splintery, bare wood floor. I’ll take the floor.”
“Why is it always the men who gets to have good manners and sacrifice for someone else?”
“You want to sacrifice for me? That’s so sweet.”
“That’s not what I meant, Sir Ludicrous, and you know it. It’s just not fair that one is on the floor and the other isn’t.”
“Okay. Then there’s only two options. Either we both sleep on the cold hard floor or we both sleep on the bed. I know what I’ll be voting for.” I tried to keep my voice level without any innuendo. But it was difficult. I could almost see Raven’s feathers being ruffled, and a grin crossed my face.
“I bet you do. Well, it’s not going to work, buddy boy. If you don’t want the bed, then find a blanket and get comfortable on the floor.”
She took her duffel bag and set it against the wall. Then she called Munch to lie down by her. When he curled up next to her, she leaned over and rested her head on him like a pillow.
I never would have thought I’d be jealous of a dog.
There were blankets in the linen closet. I pulled one out for myself and another for Raven. I handed one to her. “Seriously, Tweet. Take the bed. No sense both of us being uncomfortable when there’s a perfectly good bed right here.”
“Forget it, Mr. Sandman. I’ll be comfortable right here. Take the bed.” She yawned and pulled the blanket over her shoulder.
I blew out the candle, leaving us in complete darkness. With it still raining outside, there was no light from the moon. Varying shades of gray streamed through the windows, but not enough to see clearly.
My gaze shifted from the two dark lumps in the corner, to the empty bed, and back.
“Why do you have to be so stubborn?” I asked.
“You’re a good one to talk,” she mumbled sleepily.
I harumphed and settled myself onto the floor, which was bare wood and rough. I would never be comfortable laying there, and I shuddered to think how many slivers I’d have in my backside by morning. But I could not take the bed when she was on the floor. It just wasn’t right.
Sleeping in the same room with her wouldn’t be comfortable, no matter what surface I was lying on. This was going to be a long night.
Staring at the ceiling, I heard her every breath and movement.
After a while, her breathing softened and it sounded like she was sleeping. I waited to make sure she was really asleep and wouldn’t be easily awakened. At least, that was my hope.
I slowly and quietly stood up and crept over to where she lay. Her breathing was steady and even, and her lips let out a gentle puff of air with each exhale.
I squatted next to her and slipped my arm under her knees. She adjusted her position a little but didn’t wake up. Ever so slowly, I slid my other arm behind her shoulders. As I lifted her into my arms, she turned into me and nuzzled her head against my shoulder.
I held my breath. The feel of her against me was heaven. I stood there frozen, not wanting to move, taking in the moment I’d dreamed of for so long. Her minty scent tickled my nose, and I breathed her in. As much as I’d have loved to hold her all night, I didn’t want to push my luck. If she woke up with me holding her, she’d have a fit.
Ever so slowly, I set her down on the bed and gently removed my arms from under her. She made a noise, and my heart stopped. Then she rolled onto her side and resumed her deep sleep. I let out the breath I’d been holding with a relieved sigh.
I covered her with a blanket and returned to my spot on the floor. Now that my girl was comfortably asleep on the bed, I nodded off in no time. I’d deal with the inevitable consequences of that move in the morning.