Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
RUBY
Slavic has pulled me up tight against him, causing me to wake up overly warm for a change, with a massive gray arm draped heavily across my side. I should be upset, but at this point why sweat the little shit? He hasn’t done anything offensive or inappropriate, so I can deal with a little bit of snuggling. I should have expected this after laying down next to him last night. He has told me repeatedly how much I mean to him, and I’m not sure how to feel about all this. Most guys would never be that open, but the big marshmallow is determined to make me his. Normally I would be objecting to his highhandedness, but now? Well , I’m extremely comfortable right here.
My moving around must have woken him up because his breathing changes, and for just a second, he squeezes me. “ Sassy can’t breathe,” I whisper out with a giggle.
“ Who is Sassy ? Are these translators not working? I thought you told me your name was Ruby .”
When he groggily grumbles this out, I pat his arm and roll my eyes because I swear, I can feel his confusion. “ Slavic , it’s an earth joke. I’m still Ruby and you need to learn not to take everything I say to heart. Sarcasm is a way for me to deal with stressful situations, and I’ve had more than my fair share of those here lately.”
The watch thing on his arm beeps and several lights blink on and off. “ I think Kit is trying to get ahold of you.”
“ There is no Kit on this ship.”
“ You are ruining my fun this morning, grumpy ass.”
“ I have already brought out the fire in you this rising, and we have not even left the sleeping chamber.”
“ What can I say? I’m just a ray of sunshine in a shitty ass world.”
He actually chuckles a little and I turn in his arms, wanting to witness the rare mirth on his face, but he quickly frowns again.
“ It seems like big and grumpy is your resting bitch face, huh?”
“ You seem to have left off one name little mate. If I recall, I’ve been called big, ugly, and grumpy.”
“ True , but I think I’ll take back the ugly, though you’ll never be Thor . However , you are quite fetching in your own way, or maybe you’re just growing on me. Now , you’ll always be big, after all, I barely reach the top of your chest if I’m standing in front of you, but I guess grumpy is here to stay.” That watch thing beeps again. “ Shouldn’t you get that?”
“ They can wait. I have spent a lifetime dreaming of waking up with my mate in my arms. Not that this is the conversation I had imagined all this time, but I seem to be enjoying reality more than the fantasy.”
“ So now what?”
“ Are you against getting naked, so that I can explore that delectable little body of yours better?”
“ I was thinking along the lines of going to see my sister.”
“ So , that is a no on getting naked? Frack !”
Playfully , I smack him on the arm he still has draped over me. Looking out toward the stars that feel like they’re surrounding us, I suddenly feeling incredibly small. “ Your world is a lot different from mine Slavic , and I’m not sure where Rowan or I are going to fit in it.”
“ You are always worrying about others, Ruby . You need to learn to put yourself first for a change.”
“ I’m pretty sure that’s the pot calling the kettle black, mister ‘ I am the boss of everything’ . Being the oldest, it’s just a role I was born into, same as you. If you really think about it, we don’t know how to act any differently.” When the watch beeps again, I hit the button on top. “ Can we help you?”
“ Uhh , Slavic ?” I can’t help but giggle at the pause when Bikar hears my voice instead of his brother’s.
“ What ?”
“ Ohh , had me worried there for a moment, however, I believe I should have expected that.”
“ What do you want Bikar , quit your rambling.”
He hesitates to answer because of Slavic’s snarling. “ Kallen wants to talk to all of us at once, but Einar is refusing to leave the med bay.”
“ Then we will go to him. Inform Einar to make room for us. We need a moment to freshen up before meeting you all there.”
“ Got it.”
Slavic doesn’t move immediately and it’s like he’s preparing himself for something terrible. “ You can use the refreshing chamber first, Ruby . I am interested in seeing you in the new garments Falon was able to acquire.”
“ Maybe I’ll model them for you later.”
“ Don’t tease me, sassy one.”
I decide not to poke the bear and get up while he’s still letting me.