7. Cian
Cian
I t felt good to sleep—really sleep. Skylar was safe in her room—the door locked, windows barred.
As an added precaution, once she was in her room, I tied a rope around the door handle across the hall to mine.
If somehow she managed to pick the lock with her toenail or by digging a screw out of the floorboards, when she opened her door, mine would slam shut and she’d be caught.
I wasn’t taking any chances when it came to her.
Knowing she was secure, sleep came easily.
I had checked on her not long after she’d gotten up to go to bed, clutching her prized bag of Oreos and still giggling over the fact that she’d beaten us both in cards.
I’d found her curled up, already asleep, her book on the floor.
I’d made sure her covers were wrapped around her and, for some reason, flicked on the bathroom light, in case she woke up scared.
I had to fight not to kiss her soft cheek.
I stretched in bed, glancing at the clock, surprised to see it was after eight. I heard movement in the house, so I got up and got ready for the day. In the kitchen, I found both Sean and Skylar. He was wolfing down a stack of pancakes, and Skylar was nibbling on some toast.
I sat down, reaching for the plate of pancakes. “Not hungry?” I asked Skylar quietly, after greeting them both. She shook her head.
Sean indicated the window. “The snow stopped for now, but it’s still blowing. I’m gonna do some shoveling. You can get the snowblower going after you’re done eating.”
“Okay—sounds good.”
“I can help,” Skylar offered.
Sean shook his head and took his plate to the sink. “Not with your hands.” He smiled at her. “We’ll play some cribbage after I’m done.”
He left the room, and after a few minutes, he passed through the kitchen, wearing his thick coat and boots. There was silence before Skylar spoke. “Do you play crib, Cian?”
I shook my head. “Not my favorite game.”
“What is?”
“Backgammon,” I stated without hesitation. “But we don’t have a board.” I finished my food and pushed away the plate.
“Are you going to lock me in my room again?”
I ran my hands through my hair. “While we’re outside, yes.”
“I could sweep the steps or something.”
Her voice sounded so sad, and I hated it. Maybe a little fresh air would do her some good. “Will you try to run?”
“No.”
“Let me see your hands.”
She held them out, and I peeled the large bandage off her palm. The biggest gash looked like it was healing, the skin cool to my touch. I looked up as I ran my finger over the skin. “Does it hurt?”
“Not much.”
I frowned and reached for my coffee. I drank it in silence while I made a decision. “If you try to run, I’ll tie you up,” I stated, my voice low and serious. “For good. No more freedoms at all.”
“I won’t.”
“I don’t want you hurting your hands again.”
She shook her head. “I just want to go outside.” Her voice was pleading. “I hate being in that room, alone.”
I leaned over and grabbed a bag off the counter, handing it to her.
Her eyes widened as she pulled out the thick scarf, hat, and mittens I had requested Sean pick up.
A smile so bright it warmed the room appeared on her face, and before I knew what was happening, she pressed a kiss to my cheek and flung her arms around my neck in a tight hug.
Pulling back fast, she scampered down the hall.
“I’ll be ready in five minutes!” she called over her shoulder.
I sat, frozen. I could feel the heat on my cheek where her lips had touched.
Smell the scent of her hair where it brushed my skin.
Feel the lingering warmth of her brief touch.
I liked it—I liked all of it. With a start, I realized I was covering my cheek where her lips had been, as if holding her kiss onto my skin.
My head fell back as I groaned.
I was in such trouble.
Deep, fucking trouble.
S kylar mostly hung around the front of the house as Sean and I shoveled and used the snowblower.
I kept an eye on her, but other than standing and seemingly daydreaming, she didn’t try anything.
She used the broom to sweep the steps, but I saw her struggle, even with that simple task, due to her hands.
When she sat down on the steps with a huff, I smiled.
She was wearing an extra coat of Sean’s that was far too big on her and a pair of my boots I had laced up as tight as possible.
She looked ridiculous. The hat and scarf looked pretty on her, though, the blue color a nice contrast with her skin.
She bent over, playing with the snow, and I let her be for a while.
When I needed a break, I made my way over to check on her. She smiled at me, her cheeks pink.
“You okay? Ready to go inside?”
“No! I’m being good!”
I snickered. “Yes, you are—surprisingly.” I frowned. “Are you sure you’re not too cold?”
She shook her head. “I have lots of layers and socks.”
“Okay.” I turned to go back when she called out.
“Cian!”
I looked over my shoulder.
“Thanks for checking up on me.”
I grinned and started to say something teasing, when it hit me. Right in the face.
A snowball.
Then another. This time in the chest.
I looked up at Skylar, who was now standing, another snowball in hand. I glanced to the steps and realized she’d built herself up quite the pile. Not taking my eyes off her, I bent down, gathering up some snow.
“You sure you want to play this game, Kitten?”
She giggled and threw the one in her hand, missing me totally. “Bring it on, fuckwit.”
And so it began.
“ I give!” Skylar squealed, holding out her hands. She was covered in snow.
I hesitated, not ready to lower my arm quite yet. She had already tricked me once, then got me right in the face.
Her supply had been depleted quite rapidly, and thanks to her fairly lousy aim, most of them ended up missing me.
From then on, we’d chased each other, throwing and laughing.
My hits were far more accurate. Sean ignored us, using the snowblower and working on the driveway, although I could see his laughter on occasion when Skylar would celebrate a rare hit with a little dance.
“Step away from the snow,” I ordered.
She moved, and I scanned all around her. I lowered my arm and nodded. “I win.”
“Says who?”
“I still have a snowball. That means I win.”
“I got rid of all mine first—that means I win.”
I snorted. She changed the rules every game so she won.
“I don’t think so.” I tossed the ball in the air. “I could always throw this one—one last hit and prove I won.”
She slammed her hands on her hips. “I called no joy! You wouldn’t dare.”
No joy ? What movie had she gotten that from?
I smirked at her. “I wouldn’t?”
She stepped forward, her hands out, pleading. “Please don’t, Cian. I’m cold now.”
I dropped the snowball. I didn’t want her cold. “Okay, Kitten. Inside.”
I wasn’t prepared. I should have been. I should have known better.
One second, I was dusting off my coat, not paying attention, and the next, she’d barreled into me, sending us both into the deep snow.
I gaped up at her as she laughed and pushed a handful of snow into my face. I gasped as the cold seeped down my neck, and with a growl, I grabbed her shoulders, rolling over and depositing her into the snow, hovering over her with a grin. I picked up a handful of snow, arching my eyebrow at her.
“Say it.”
“No.”
I let a little snow fall onto her face, and she squirmed, trying to get away. I tightened my hold. “Say it, and I’ll let you up.”
She giggled. “Never!”
I lowered myself down, pressing into her. “I bet I could make you.”
Her eyes widened, and in an instant, the air around us changed from playful to intense. Our gazes locked, her breathing becoming deeper. I lowered my hand as I bent closer. “Skylar,” I breathed.
I could feel her warm breath against my lips. I pushed closer, only to suddenly gasp and sit up when ice-cold snow ran down my back. Sean stood behind me, grinning.
“Now, I won.” He smirked.
He pushed me off and grabbed Skylar’s arm. “In the house. You’re soaking wet.” He glared at me. “Finish the driveway. I’ll make lunch.”
I watched them walk away, him pulling Skylar along.
I blinked.
What had I almost done?
Shaking my head, I went down the driveway.
That couldn’t happen again.
Ever.
S tamping my feet to get the snow from my boots, I peeled off my coat and hung it up.
There’d be more snow later to shovel—of that, I had no doubt.
I walked into the kitchen, passing Sean, who was grinning.
He slapped me on the back. “I’m having a shower—sandwiches are on the table.
” He chuckled as he walked down the hall, and, mystified, I went into the kitchen.
Skylar was bent over the table, arranging something.
She looked up, her teeth worrying her bottom lip, and with a small, nervous grin, she sat down.
I walked over to the table and started to laugh. “What have you done?”
“Made a backgammon board.”
I grinned as I inspected her work. She’d taken a piece of cardboard and drawn all the proper points on it, then colored them in. “Sean gave me the cardboard and found the dice.”
I picked up the mismatched set. “What about checkers?”
She giggled and held out her hand. “Life Savers.” Carefully, she placed them on the “board” and slid it toward me. “Now we can play.”
I looked down at the game she’d created. “Why, Skylar?” I asked quietly.
“Because you said it was your favorite.” She hesitated. “And you let me go outside and play in the snow.”
Our gazes locked. I wanted to tell her she could do anything she wanted, go anywhere she wanted, as long as I was with her. I wanted to hold her hand again. More than anything, I wanted to kiss her for making me this silly little game because she knew it was my favorite.
But I couldn’t do any of those things.
Instead, I smiled and winked at her. “Did you eat all those Oreos last night?”
“No.”
“Double or nothing,” I challenged.
“You’re on.”