Chapter Eighteen
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WALKING IN MY house, I try to envision it as Annistyn would.
The porch has a swing and rocking chairs along the short length with a small table because Roger told me she loved to sit out there at night and watch the sun set.
Usually she’d have a bottle of water with her, but every now and then she’d drink an orange soda or hot tea.
Annistyn doesn’t drink coffee and won’t even try it.
I have a feeling there’s a reason for it, but she’ll tell me when she’s ready.
I wasn’t lying when I said everything is on her pace and timeline.
Anyway, the front door opens to a foyer where a coat rack and bench for shoes sits.
There’s a plaque for keys because Annistyn doesn’t drive yet, but I’ll be teaching her at some point.
If she wants to learn that is. Everything on the first floor is an open floorplan so we can see each room and communicate if we’re cooking or watching a movie.
The only room that isn’t included in the open floorplan is my office.
“To the left is my office. Everythin’ else is open and spacious.
I’ve got the kitchen stocked with everythin’ Roger said you seem to like.
There’s soda and water in the refrigerator and snacks fill the pantry.
You can go in my office anytime you like.
I’m not hidin’ anythin’ in there. Downstairs is a space for you.
The main room is set up as a game room with a pool table, dart board, small bar, and a TV.
I’ve been debatin’ addin’ an air hockey table.
It’s somethin’ we can talk about. The other half of the space has been closed off and set up as a work room for you.
There’s a desk, computer, printer, and anythin’ else you might need for your photography,” I tell her not sure if she wants a full tour of the house tonight since I can see how exhausted she is.
“This is really nice, Kreed. Everything blends in together and I love that if one of us is in the kitchen we can still talk to one another without yelling or anything like that. I’ve been working on some new recipes while on the ranch.
Roger let me cook whenever I wanted to and seemed to enjoy the food I made unless he was lying to me,” she says, her smile getting larger as I laugh at her words.
“I doubt he’d lie to you about your food, Pixie. You want to see where your room is?” I ask her because she’s yawning and can’t hide it.
“Please. I’m ready for a hot shower and bed,” she admits as I lift the bags in my hands higher and lead her to the stairs that are between the kitchen and dining room.
“Up here, there are six bedrooms. The master is at the end of the hallway with three bedrooms on one side and two across the hall. The third door on the left is a bathroom. Three of the rooms have their own bathroom and the other three will have to share. There’s also a bathroom down here and a laundry room.
They’re by my office over there,” I tell her, pointing out to the right of the house where the rooms are.
Annistyn follows me upstairs and I take her to the room right next to mine.
It’s almost as large as the master bedroom with a private bathroom and walk-in closet.
I thought she’d be the most comfortable in this room.
I’ll also be able to hear her if she has a nightmare or something during the night.
Roger did tell me she’s not having nightmares as often as she was, but they do still happen occasionally when she’s really tired or has had a bad day.
The thought of her getting a full night of rest makes me happy because it’s what she’s needed for so damn long and she’s finally getting it.
I set the bags on the end of the bed and move to the closet of the room.
Opening the door, Annistyn looks in to find it almost completely full of the clothes I’ve been buying her over the last month based on what Roger told me she seemed to like.
There’s everything from long summer dresses to jeans, shorts, tee-shirts, and hoodies.
Half of the hoodies are mine because Annistyn always seems to find them and wear them.
I don’t mind her wearing my clothes at all.
I’ve also got a few of my tee-shirts in one of the dresser drawers because she did sleep in them from time to time.
“What’s all of this?” she asks, looking between the clothes and me.
“I didn’t want you to come home to an empty room. I’ve been buyin’ you new clothes for the last month or so. If you don’t like anythin’, you don’t have to wear it,” I explain to her as I point out a few things.
“Are those your hoodies?” she asks, laughter filling her voice as she reaches out to touch one of them.
“They are. You were always stealin’ them before you left so I just put them in here when I moved more of my stuff in here from the room in the clubhouse.
Out here is the dresser and there’s more clothes in here.
I’m not gonna lie and say I didn’t buy you panties and bras, because I did.
Also put a few things in there I saw and thought you would look amazin’ in.
You don’t have to use any of it,” I tell her, knowing the lingerie might be a bit too much for her at this point.
Annistyn’s face turns red with the blush covering her cheeks and neck as I reach out and run my finger down her cheek. She doesn’t shy away from me at my blatant touch because I can’t get enough of her.
“Thank you, Kreed. You didn’t have to do all of this,” she says as we move and she closes the closet door.
“There’s a mini fridge over here with more drinks and some snacks. The box on top is also filled with stuff you eat when you wake-up at night. You won’t have to worry about goin’ down to the kitchen to grab somethin’. If you want anythin’ different, let me know and we can pick it up.”
“This room is perfect, Kreed. And you have a room up here?” she asks, playing with the end of the bed as she turns her eyes away from me for a second.
“I do. Come on, I’ll show you,” I tell her as I lace our fingers together and lead her from the room.
The room I put her in is all light colors that a woman would enjoy spending time in.
I even recently added one of those overstuffed chairs so she can sit and read before bed or she starts her day.
My room is darker. The rug is a dark gray and all of the furniture in the room is stained dark.
My bedding is black as normal because I rarely have anything other than dark colors covering my bed.
It’s always been that way. I’ve even got an accent wall that’s been painted the darkest blue I could find.
“This is my room. You’ll have your own for as long as you want it but will always be welcome in here with me.
Eventually, I’d like you to want to move in here with me, but there’s absolutely no rush for that to happen.
There’s plenty of room in the closet and dresser for your clothes and our bathroom in here is large.
There’s a large garden tub you can soak in whenever you want and the shower is large enough to fit about six to eight people,” I tell her, leading her to the room in question and letting her look around.
“Holy cow! I think I just fell in love with this bathroom. Those candles are new,” she says, walking over and picking them up to smell before setting them back down again. “These smell really good, Kreed.”
“Cali actually picked the candles out. She thought they’d be somethin’ you’d enjoy while you soak in the tub. Or if I want to set some kind of mood,” I say, making her blush again.
I’m finding that I thoroughly enjoy seeing Annistyn blush and want to make it happen every single day. I also love that while she takes her eyes off of me for a minute, they come right back and she doesn’t look away.
“Um, you know I’ve never done anything with a guy before,” she says simply as if we’re discussing the weather.
“I figured as much, Pixie. I can’t say I haven’t been with anyone because it would be a lie and I won't ever lie to you. I can say I haven’t been with as many women as you might think.
I spent a lot of time in the military and that was my main focus.
Even when we were on leave, I’d be thinkin’ about goin’ back and our next mission.
It was the only way I could think of keepin’ my team alive.
You also don’t have to worry about me bein’ with any of the Feral girls.
I always knew I’d have an ol’ lady at some point and never wanted those girls to throw somethin’ like that in my girl’s face as a way to hurt her.
If anyone says differently, they’re lyin’.
Those girls can be pretty mean at times.
If you ever want to know somethin’, just come ask me,” I say while she keeps her eyes on me and I back her up against the sink.
“I really want to kiss you right now, Pixie.”
For a minute, she doesn’t say a word in response.
I almost regret telling her I want to kiss her.
Just as I go to back away from her, Annistyn reaches up and places a hand on the side of my face.
She leans up and presses her lips against mine in the briefest touch.
Her lips are full and soft as she pulls away from me.
Annistyn’s cheeks are a deep crimson now as she remains looking at me.
“Fuck,” I groan out because one touch from her is more than enough to make my cock rock hard.
“That’s all I can do right now,” she says almost apologetically as I reach out and brush a few strands of hair away from her face because I’m not going to let her hide from me. Not anymore.
“That’s more than enough, Pixie. You didn’t even have to do that if you weren’t ready,” I tell her honestly as she places one of her hands on my chest right over my heart.
“I don’t know what I’m ready for. We still need to have that talk, but maybe we can wait a few days until I get used to being back here.
If you’re willing, we can take things a day at a time and see what happens.
I’m not holding onto my virginity for any particular reason.
I was just never around anyone so I couldn’t lose it before now,” she says honestly and I can’t believe how open and honest we’re talking right now.
This year and a half apart is definitely worth all of the misery we lived through if this is how things will be moving forward.
“I’m more than fine with takin’ things a day at a time.
If I ever cross a line or move too fast, let me know and everythin’ stops.
Why don’t you go take your shower and get settled in for the night?
I’m gonna take my own shower and get some sleep.
We can do whatever you want tomorrow. Even if it’s simply lounging around the house and doin’ nothin’,” I tell her as she turns and leaves me alone in the bathroom after giving me a hug.
Stripping down to nothing, I toss my clothes in the basket while hanging my cut on the back of the bathroom door.
I don’t close it all the way in case Annistyn needs me.
Turning on the shower, I step in without waiting for it to heat up.
The cold shocks all of the heat from my body as I refuse to jerkoff to thoughts of Annistyn.
I’ve done that more than enough since she left.
I quickly wash and rinse off before getting out and drying off.
I walk in my room with the towel wrapped around my hips and go straight to the dresser to pull on a pair of basketball shorts.
I’ve been keeping the house warmer than normal because I’m not sure if Annistyn still gets cold easily.
I don’t want her to be uncomfortable here and would rather her be too warm instead of cold.
After dressing and hanging up my towel, I head back in my room and climb into bed before turning on the TV and finding a movie to have on low while I go to sleep. After a few minutes, I hear the lightest knock on my door and a smile lights up my face.
“Come in,” I call out knowing my girl is on the other side.
“Kreed, can I sleep with you tonight? I’ve really missed it,” she asks, walking just inside the room and stopping while looking at me.
“You can sleep in here whenever you want, Pixie. Already told you that you’re welcome in here whenever you want,” I answer as I pull back the blankets for her to climb in next to me.
Annistyn makes her way around the bed because she won’t ever sleep on the side closest to the door of our room.
Her hair is wet as I watch her move gracefully in a way she never did before.
Tonight she’s wearing a pair of thin pajama pants in black that hug her body with a red tank top.
I can’t take my eyes off of her chest as she moves and feel like an ass for looking at her the way I am.
I lay still as she climbs in bed next to me and slowly moves closer to me.
It takes a few minutes but she finally rests her head on my bare chest and wraps her arm around me.
One of her legs goes in between mine as I wrap my arm around her and hold her close to me.
Part of me still can’t believe she’s back and here with me.
Grabbing her hand that’s across my stomach, I move it to rest on my chest by her head and cover it with my own.
I already know she won’t last long watching the movie I put on as I keep my eyes on the TV while keeping her close to me.
“I really missed you, Pixie. More than you’ll ever know,” I whisper as her breath fans out across my chest and I know she’s already asleep. She fell asleep the second her head landed on me.