Counting Sheep

Chapter 23

Without another thought.

She would heal him.

She would heal her very broken, very beautiful warrior.

As Layla's thoughts and resolutions settled in her mind, she remembered that Hazel had slept alone last night and usually the little girl was up by now or rather, her night terrors woke her up by now.

The thought that maybe Hazel had needed her and Layla hadn't been there for it, cut her heart like a freshly-sharpened dagger. The guilt that stung the cut a second later like salt on the open wound. She needed to go check on her, to at least make sure that she was okay. If not for Hazel then for herself.

Quietly, Layla tried to wiggle her way out from beneath the heavy weight of Julian's arm and after about a minute of trying she huffed with exasperation.

God, was his arm made of bricks?!

It took her awhile, but she finally managed to shimmy herself away. She figured that could be her workout for the day.

Who needed weights and dumbbells when you could use a huge tattooed and muscled arm, right? Just as she was about to fully pull out of the bed, arms encircled her waist with the lightning quick speed of a viper striking out at its prey.

The only sound she was able to make was a small squeak as she was pulled right back down onto bed as Julian rolled on top of her, careful to keep all his weight on his elbows and knees.

A piece of hair hung in his eyes as he smirked in the most sexiest, wicked of ways. "And just where do you think you are going?" His voice was deep and husky, rough from sleep.

She felt the vibrations of it down to her bones as he hovered above her with eyes like two bright and dancing blue flames.

He looked so happy -so carefree- to wake up besides her, not yet remembering the negativities of life as of right now.

Just as he was letting out a laugh at the look on her face, she pushed upwards with a force that surprised them both to take his face in her hands and crush their lips together. Julian immediately kissed her back, his mouth moving against hers with a slow burning heat that left her trembling beneath him.

How could someone feel so right?

She whimpered and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him down to her, making him groan deeply. The sound had those embers of warmth that stoked within her to burn red hot to a raging fire.

She wanted him and god, she loved him. Had anything ever felt so perfect? Just as Julian reached for her top, there was a knock on the door.

They both pulled apart with wide eyes and when the door knob began to jiggle and push open, Layla shoved Julian off of her.

Surprisingly, he went a lot easier than she had expected, just as Hazel peeked her head in the door.

Julian landed hard with a loud thump and Layla sprang upwards into a sitting position, trying to look nonchalant even though she was still breathing as though she had run a marathon and her heart still beat like a drum within her chest.

"Hi honey." She smiled. Hazel's eyes flicked to Julian who lay on the floor before going back to Layla, a silent question in her eyes. "He tripped! So silly, right?" She asked with a laugh as she hopped from the bed.

Julian got to his feet with a groan as he ran a hand through his hair, his eyes narrowed at Layla playfully. She tried to hold back her giggle. "Are you hungry, sweetie? I'm sure Julian is! Let's go make breakfast." Hazel grinned and turned to sprint out the door to the kitchen and just as Layla was about to follow her, Julian grabbed her wrist and leaned in to whisper in her ear.