22. Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Naomi
I t’s such an odd feeling to have peace and restfulness throughout my whole body. The thought makes me conscious of the entire length of my body draped over Killian’s. He’s holding me close, bringing a smile to my face. My eyes flutter open, and I see Killian with the arm not holding me behind his head, as he smiles down at me.
“Good morning. You look beautiful sleeping peacefully,” he whispers to me.
“Why is my first thought that you’re being sexist and it’s because I’m quiet when sleeping,” I say.
He rolls his head back. “Because you’ve only dated assholes who tell you to shut the fuck up.”
I reel back in fake annoyance. “I would never let anyone tell me to shut the fuck up without putting a needle in their eye.” My cheeks burn at my next thought. “Unless . . .”
He raises eyebrows. “Unless what, firecracker?”
“Nothing, nothing!” I say quickly.
Killian easily flips me so he’s on top of me. “Tell me.” I giggle in protest, but having his weight on me feels like a safety blanket.
“I wouldn’t mind someone saying shut-the-fuck-up-and-take-this-dick-like-a-good-girl,” I mumble the end part.
“Say it with your chest, my love. What do you want?” He leans over and nibbles on my ear.
“I want you to say, ‘Shut the fuck up and take this dick like a good girl,’” I say with more confidence.
He grins from ear to ear. “Oh firecracker, that’s all you had to say. Did you take a gander at the chest by the wall in your room?”
“No . . . why?” I furrow my eyebrows at him. “I figured they were extra blankets and pillows.”
“Oh, there’s something far more fun in there. A lot of somethings actually. That one drawer I had you look at was just the tip of the iceberg.” More toys!?
My entire body grows warm at the thought of playing with him. “You little sneaky bastard!”
“I have more tricks up my sleeve. Remember that empty room in the dungeon?”
“Yeah?” I say, intrigued.
“I was hoping to turn it into a playroom for us.” He licks his lips before grazing them with his teeth. My reproductive organs somersault inside me.
“Like a little red room?” He nods his head in response. “Hell yes!”
“We have a few hours before we have to head down for dinner. How about we go test some of the toys out now?”
“I already tested a couple out, they were alright,” I say, smirking playfully at him.
He pulls me closer. “That you did. But maybe if you're a good girl, I’ll say all kinds of sexy things to you. These toys may be a little bit more involved.”
I push him from me and bolt off the bed. “Don’t have to tell me twice. But you’ll have to catch me.” I run for the door with a giggling squeal.
I can hear the amusement in his voice. “I’ll always find you, Naomi.”
“Ouch, firecracker!” Killian exclaims. “Nice punch.”
I laugh it off. “I told you I had more tricks up my sleeve.” He’s distracted by our conversation, so I take the moment to hook my right leg with his left and tug. As he tumbles down onto his back, I grab both his arms and pin them above him.
“If you did this then, I may have had to go back on my word.” He smirks before kissing me.
I lean into the kiss and release his hands which wrap around me. “And if you kissed me like that, maybe I wouldn’t have left.”
“He did kiss you, and you did leave,” Axel says from the bench as he stares at us.
“Oh!” I say as I get off of Killian.
“Axel!” Killian grunts.
“Yeah, I’m still here guys! And also, shut up. She came back.” Axel rolls his eyes.
I laugh as I walk toward him and place a kiss on his cheek. “I missed you too much.” This makes Axel break out into his signature beaming smile.
“How about me?” Killian asks.
“It’s not always about you!” Axel retorts before looping his arm with mine. “Come on, you’ve had enough training. It’s time to go find outfits for the ball. It’s almost here.”
“You’re absolutely right. We leave next week,” I say as I let him lead me out.
I turn to Killian who’s glaring at us, but I know it's fake. Blowing him an air kiss I say, “Duty calls. See you later, Killer!”
“I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes,” I hear Killian call from behind me as I try to pack my carry-on for our trip in a couple days.
I put my heels into a plastic bag, but don’t turn around. “Killian, I need to finish packing. You know how neurotic I get if I’m not prepared for a trip in advance.”
“Oh, we can make jokes about me stalking you now?” he asks.
I roll my eyes. “I guess. It’s only fair. I stalked you first and you didn’t even know.”
“Touché! But please, I made something for you.”
A smile grazes my lips. “You did?”
“Yes, so please humor me,” he pleads.
“Okay,” I say as I close my eyes before turning to face him. “I’m ready.”
I put my palms face up toward him, and I feel him place something big yet light on them.
“Okay, open,” Killian says.
Opening my eyes, I’m presented with a beautiful dream catcher. Tears fill my eyes. “Killian, th - this is beautiful.”
It has taupe-brown leather wrapped around the larger circle with black string crisscrossing throughout. There are some beads dangling with feathers from each end. But what really catches my eye is the bead at the center of the dreamcatcher: my red bead from that first day.
“I have an Indigenous friend who has a shop in the city. He helped me make it.”
“It’s perfect. Thank you so much,” I say as a tear slips.
He wipes the tears from my cheek. “No, you’re perfect. This is the beginning of our story, and while I can’t promise you won’t have any more nightmares, I can promise that I’ll be there to weather every storm with you.”
I lean up and kiss him before saying, “I can pack later. Right now, I want you.”
“Yes ma’am.” I can feel the smile as he kisses me.