Something In Between: Sequel to On The Edge of Tomorrow

Chapter 6

"Lil?" His voice came out in a broken crack as he stretched the twitches of sleep from his body.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"No, come in," his voice was still rough from sleep.

I move towards him and set the coffee down on the nightstand as he shifted up, propping himself against the pillow. The sheet fell further down his torso, drawing my attention.

"Sorry," he murmured as he pulled it back up again.

His acknowledgment of my gaze caused a flush to sting my face.

"Can you grab my jeans?" He nodded to the chair by the fireplace where his jeans were slung.

I tossed them to him and pretended to be captivated by the lake outside. It was a transparent myth that I was sure he could see through as he pulled on his pants.

"Did you get any sleep at all?" His voice was starting to even as the day began to fill him.

"A little," I turned back, relieved that he was wearing jeans but still drawn to his bare chest.

"You must not have gotten that much," he surmised almost to himself.

I gave him a silent head cock as I slumped down to the farthest corner of the bed from him.

"You brought me coffee instead of tea," he held up the mug as an acknowledgment.

"Oh, Mary sent it up, err, your mom," I corrected.

He smiled to himself. "I like that you call my mom Mary. It's familiar like you're old friends." He took another long sip. "Do you stay in touch?"

"Mmhmm, we usually call one another every month or so. I'm embarrassed to admit she has more of a life than me, so she does most of the talking."

"Yeah, she has more of a life than me as well," he agreed.

"Billy..." I wanted to ask, but I couldn't muster her name.

He scanned my face and acknowledged the question I intended before I got it out. "Tim here?" He shot.

"Yeah," my affirmation came out as an apology.

The silence hung heavy between us. Billy's muscles ripple up his arm as he raised the mug for another sip before setting it down and slightly shifting his body to give me his full attention. It made me feel small but also was pulling me to him. His gravity was nearly impossible to resist.

"What happened with Ella?"

He heavily sighed. "We broke up."

"Because she couldn't come for a visit?"

He let out a quick laugh. "No, because we don't know each other, and with our schedules, we never will."

"I'm sorry, Billy."

"What are you sorry for; that El and I broke up or that you came to visit?"

I took a heavy breath, "yeah, and that I woke you up."

He reached his bear paw hands out to me so quickly that I couldn't dodge them. "That's the true crime here." His voice came with jest as he pulled me to him. "I promise I won't bite." He added as he tucked me into his side, "unless you ask really nicely."

His tease sent a surge through me that, while pleasurable, was not wanted at the moment. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of his musk. As I exhaled, I melted into his side.

"See, was that so hard?" He kissed the top of my head as I nestled in further.

I'd allow myself the briefest of moments on his chest, let my hand course over it only once, grant myself the most fleeting moment tucked into his neck, breathing in his scent; ah, the best-laid plans. It was an intoxication I thought I could resist, but I couldn't remember the reason for resistance once it surrounded me.