Chapter 258 - About Last Night (1/2)

The buzz of the alarm sounded through the room, bringing Jos from a fitful sleep. Though she and Arei had made up and ended up falling asleep snuggled in each other's arms, she'd been plagued with nightmares the entire night. She rolled away from Arei's warm body as he lifted to retrieve the phone that was buzzing. Jos laid there rubbing her temples, her eyes squeezed tightly shut as she tried to recall even the slightest of details of even one dream... but she couldn't. ”Ugh!!!” She growled out.

”That bad, kitten? Is there anything I can do to help?” Arei asked as he turned his attention away from the now silent phone over to her. ”Did you have too many glasses of wine last night?”

She shook her head. ”No, I don't think so... It's just that... Ugh...” She growled again, rubbing her fingers along her crinkled forehead. She finally let her hands fall away as she met his curious gaze. ”I keep having dreams that frighten me awake all night. I haven't gotten a solid night's sleep in so long; I can't even tell you when... I thought it was stress from this or that but now, I know it has to be something more... I just can't figure out what, and it's driving me insane!”

He chuckled as he rolled over onto his side and stroked her temples soothingly. ”I'm not entirely sure it's not still stress, kitten. You worry and overthink things more than anyone I've ever met...” He bent and kissed the crease still contorting the usually smooth skin of her forehead. ”You're probably just stressing about the meeting today is all.”

She frowned, ”No... well... I mean maybe, but this is still something else...”

He took her hands and pulled her up into a sitting position. ”How about you put my tee-shirt on, without complaint this time, and I'll call down to the kitchen and have the waiting staff bring some breakfast up?”

She squinted up at him from where her hands were back to rubbing her face. ”I'm pretty sure this is more than simple hanger, Arei.” She barked out in irritation.

He let out a guttural laugh. ”Maybe so, but I'm still tempted more than ever to throw a snickers bar at you from the far corner. I wouldn't be surprised if a tentacle or two didn't pop out, you look so angry.” He brought his hand up and tousled her already messy hair, causing her glare to intensify. ”What about you get ready, and I'll go down and check on breakfast.” He sent her a playful wink.

She grabbed the shirt from the floor and pulled it on before begrudgingly crawling out of the bed and stomping over to her luggage. ”I'll go down with you, maybe some coffee with an extra shot or three of espresso will ease this headache.”

He arched his brow as he tugged on his gym shorts, not bothering with a shirt. He'd given in to no barriers between them during cuddling and sleeping last night and she'd given in to not pushing for s.e.x. In all honesty, he would love to take that step with her, but it just wasn't a good idea on either of their parts right now. It was easy enough for her to say she wanted nothing else to do with the pup when he was nowhere around, but what happened when they went back to the island... What happened if they ended up having to work closely with them while figuring out all this palace and Fern shit. Would she still choose him over the kid if they were back to seeing each other daily? Would he be willing to give her up once again... doubtfully... even more doubtfully if s.e.x were involved? He let out a sigh as he followed her out the bedroom door. Besides, what she didn't know was the extent he was willing to go not to bring children into this world. If it meant nothing more than cuddling with her until they reach the island, then so be it. But as of right now, he knew well enough she wasn't on any form of birth control and any c.o.n.d.o.m he or Ry would have stashed in this room would be so outdated, it would probably disintegrate the second it was taken out of the packaging... and going bareback wasn't an option with her. He knew well that once buried inside her, he wouldn't have the will to pull out.

All eyes fell on them as they walked through the doors of the kitchen. Jos didn't say anything as she stormed over to the coffee maker and popped in a single-serve cup. She rested her head against the cabinet as she waited for it to brew causing several sets of curious eyes to move from her back, clad in his shirt, to him. Arei shrugged. ”She woke up with a migraine after a night of bad dreams.”

Chary laughed loudly as she shot a wink to the wolf. ”I bet it was a night filled with horrors alright.”

Arei shook his head as he rolled his eyes. ”You're the worst, you know that?”

She waved him off. ”Nah... third worst at best.” She sent Shelly another wink as she took another bite of the waffles they'd been eating.

”So did you guys find anything else helpful?” Arei asked as he pulled out one of the chairs. Noting the wolf's sudden blush and unease, he turned back to Chary and arched his brow again.

”Let me guess, you tormented them by reading all the graphic s.e.x?”

Chary burst out laughing again. ”Maybe?!” Her eyes moved over to where the wolf was cringing.

He shook his head. ”You're at least second worst if not first.”

”What can I say, the girl could write!” Chary said throwing up her hands in self-defense. Her smile widened as she tilted her head toward Jos who was intently focused on the coffee maker. ”And how was last night? Doesn't seem like you let her get adequate sleep, little brother... Shall I have the maids go ahead and start work on preparing the old nursery?”

He glared at his sister, tossing a roll from the table at her. ”My view on that has not changed where she and I are concerned and especially on my opinions of bringing an innocent child into the f.u.c.k.e.d up family.”

Chary's smile fell. ”I was only teasing, there's no need to get your p.a.n.t.i.e.s in such a bunch. I was just trying to lighten the mood. She seems upset and you seem like she shoved a broomstick up your b.u.t.t.”

He blew out a breath. ”She's not slept well for weeks now. She woke up again just now complaining of nightmares.”

Chary shrugged as she glanced over to Jos who had just finished dumping a double shot of espresso into her cup and was working on brewing a third. Her eyes widened as she arched a brow. ”I mean nightmares aren't uncommon especially after all that's happened lately.”

He pressed his lips together in a stiff line. ”No not in themselves, but she never has memories of any part of them...”