Chapter Eight
Malik glanced over his shoulder as Aiden came into the kitchen. He looked better and more in control than he had ten minutes ago.
He smiled when Aiden pressed a kiss to the top of Camila’s head as he moved past her to sit in his chair. It seemed natural already, and Camila just smiled at him like she was already used to it.
“Since we’re stuck inside, do you have anything in mind you’d like to do, Camila?”
She looked at Malik. “I’d like to find a book and read for a while.”
Malik grinned and nodded. “I was planning on reading the rest of my book. Go find one and meet me on the sofa.”
By the time he grabbed his book from the bedroom, she was already sitting on the end of the sofa, engrossed in her thriller.
He lay down and propped his head on her lap.
He loved how she automatically started running her fingers through his hair, although he knew concentrating on his book would be next to impossible, he didn’t care. She was touching him.
Malik tipped her book down to see the cover.
“Oh, this was a good book. Do you want me to tell you who did it?”
She glared down at him. “Don’t you dare.”
He chuckled. “Fine.”
Half an hour later, he gave up reading and turned until his face was tucked against her stomach. She didn’t pause, and the only time she wasn’t touching him was when she turned a page in her book, so he relaxed and dozed.
He was vaguely aware of Aiden coming into the room and putting on another log.
Malik had no idea how long he’d lain there when he heard her yawn. He reached up and took her book before he lifted her and placed her in front of him on the sofa. He stuffed a pillow under his head and wrapped an arm around her.
“Take a nap, baby. I just want to hold you.”
She snuggled tighter against him and slept.
A hand on his shoulder woke him a short while later.
“What?” he whispered to Aiden, who stood over the back of the sofa.
“It’s past lunchtime. What should I make?”
“I was planning on making sandwiches, and I made potato salad.”
“Sounds good.”
“Do you want to change places with me, and I’ll go and get it ready?”
Aiden grinned. “No, you both look comfortable. I’ll get to snuggle later.”
Malik was unable to fall back to sleep. He stared at the fire and inhaled her feminine scent. His eyes closed. She was going to become a very important person in their lives. All they had to do was convince her and take out the threat against her.
“Lunch is ready.”
Malik sighed and rolled her onto her back so he could see her face. He swept the hair off her cheek and then rubbed his thumb against it.
“Baby, Aiden has lunch ready. Do you think you could eat?”
“Mmmm,” she murmured and rolled until she was chest to chest with him.
He chuckled. “Baby, if we don’t get up soon, I’ll have you under me.”
Her eyes fluttered, and she stared up at him.
He lifted her into a sitting position, sat, and then picked her up in his arms.
“What are you doing? I can walk.”
“I know. I can also carry you, and you were moving too slowly.”
She snorted. “Next time, tell me to hurry.”
“No, I’d rather carry you.”
She rolled her eyes as he sat her in a chair.
Malik went for the milk and three glasses.
She scrunched up her nose. “I don’t like milk. May I have some water?”
“Of course.”
Malik set the glass in front of her and then sat in his own chair. The three ate in silence for several minutes.
Camila looked up. “This salad is really good.”
Aiden pointed at Malik with his fork. “He made it.”
She cleared her throat.
“I’d like to cook if you’d let me.”
Malik chuckled. “Heck, yeah. Anytime you want. We’re limited with the electricity off, but when it comes back on, do whatever you want.”
“Good. I have a spaghetti sauce I haven't made in a long time, and I miss it.”
“I love spaghetti,” Aiden said.
Malik snorted. “You love everything.”
“That’s good to know,” she said and laughed.
Once they cleaned up after lunch, the three moved back into the living room.
Aiden put on another log. Camila looked out one of the windows and wrapped an arm around herself.
Malik came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “You okay?”
“Yes. It looks like it’s coming down hard again.”
He nodded. “The Weather Channel warned us it was going to be a doozie and last for several days.”
“And no one can get up here?”
He heard the nerves in her tone.
“Absolutely not. No one can come up, and we can’t go down.”
“Really? What if there’s an emergency?”
“If the weather calmed enough, a helicopter could be brought in, but both Aiden and I know first aid. You kind of have to learn in the military. We’ve both had to sew ourselves up a few times.”
“I can’t imagine.”
“Please don’t worry. We can take care of you.”
She turned in his arms and set her hands on his chest. “I know. I’ve never doubted that.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips. “Good. Because nothing will happen to you while you're with us.”