Chapter 27Eden
27
Eden
E den was jolted awake by the sound of shouts, her heart pounding in her chest. Had Bozo, the life-sized clown in the corner of the room, somehow come to life? After all those Chucky movies she'd watched throughout her childhood, the idea seemed possible. She glanced hesitantly at the imposing figure of the clown in the corner, half-expecting it to lurch into motion.
Her gaze shifted to Ronan, and her concern grew as she observed him thrashing in his sleep. She sat up, blinking to adjust her vision in the dimly moonlit room.
Concern flooded her as she leaned over, trying not to startle him awake. She reached out gently, feeling the dampness of his sweat-slicked arm. The moon's glow revealed his contorted features, his brows knit in a grimace of distress. His eyes were tightly shut, his face contorted with fear. Ronan's eyes darted beneath his closed eyelids, his chest moving rapidly with ragged and erratic breaths.
"It's okay," she whispered softly, stroking his arm soothingly. "Ro, I am right here."
Ronan let out a slight rasp, and his eyes opened quickly, his breaths coming out in quick pants and his eyes focusing directly on her.
"I've got you," Eden whispered, her hand still lightly resting on his damp arm. His chest was still heaving, and his eyes were unfocused. They remained in silence for a few lingering moments. Eden leaned closer, draping her arm gently over his trembling body. His muscles tensed beneath her touch. She slowly rubbed her thumb over his chest, his muscles trembling under her fingers.
"Is this okay?" Eden asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked up at him, searching his face for any sign of discomfort.
He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. Instead of answering, he wordlessly drew her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. His skin was damp with a cool layer of sweat, and she could smell the clean, masculine scent mixed with the faint fragrance of soap. That distinct smell was male and addictive. She took a breath to breathe it in.
She pulled his head gently beneath her chin. Chills erupted over her skin as his warm breath brushed against her neck. Under the blanket, their legs tangled together, his sturdy limbs draping over hers. Eden began to run her fingers through his thick, dark hair, gently grazing her nails along his scalp. Ronan took a sharp inhale at the sensation, his body tensing slightly at her touch.
"It's okay," she whispered soothingly, and he nodded faintly. She continued to scratch his scalp lightly, feeling his hands bunching the fabric of her t-shirt at her lower back. After a few passes of her nails over his head, she noticed the tension in his shoulders gradually melting away, and his breathing began to slowly even out. His hands slowly released their grip on the fabric of her shirt.
His body fully relaxed, and she knew he had fallen asleep. She didn't want to sleep yet. She wanted to enjoy the feeling of Ronan's solid body on hers. The soft, downy hair on his legs grazed her smooth legs. His strong arms enveloped her frame, the warmth of his body radiating through the thin cotton of her t-shirt. The soft movement of his breath while he slept, how it brushed over her neck. The rhythm of his heartbeat against her chest made her feel like she was basking in a warm sun, her body becoming languid. She felt like nothing could hurt her as she lay there.
Safe . That was what that feeling was. She felt safe. That warm and cozy feeling was new to her; she had never felt that feeling before, never with her parents or previous partners. Her eyes flickered shut slowly while she basked in that feeling and allowed it to whisk her back to sleep.