I went to the bag and pulled out a t-shirt and a pair of light cotton shorts. “Where’s the bathroom?” I asked.
He walked across the room, opened the door, and turned on the light.
“Thanks.” I scurried inside and shut the door, ready to change out of my grimy clothes.
To my surprise, I found a few toiletries sitting on the counter, unopened. A travel toothbrush and toothpaste sat next to the sink and a small bar of soap and tiny stick of deodorant were nearby.
I quickly changed clothes and made use of the toothbrush and paste, then quickly washed my face with the bar of soap.
Once I used the facilities and washed my hands, I exited the bathroom to find Macgrath lying in the bed, covered with a light blanket, and his hands stacked behind his head.
I tried not to be disappointed that he wore a t-shirt. I climbed into bed next to him and settled beneath the covers. I felt strange and slightly uncomfortable.
It had been a long time since I’d slept with a man I wasn’t also having sex with. Even then, it was easier to keep my distance if they went home.
Defenses were down during sleep and I never wanted to become accustomed to having another body to curl up against. Not with my life being as it was.
I closed my eyes and tried to relax, all too aware of the warmth of Macgrath’s body a scant foot away.
Suddenly, he turned and pulled me toward his body. After a brief flurry of movement, I found myself with my head resting on his shoulder, his arm winding beneath my neck and curving around me to rest on my hip. Unable to help myself, I bent my knee so my thigh crossed over his.
He grunted and I glanced up to see that his eyes were closed.
“Stop staring at me and go to sleep,” he murmured. “I’m tired.”
I bit back a smile and tilted my head back down. I snuggled a bit closer to Macgrath, lining my body up more comfortably. I could feel the warm, firm muscles beneath the t-shirt and shorts he wore and I settled into them, letting my body soften against his.
His hand lifted from my hip to my hair and began to slowly sift through the strands. I sighed at the sensation and threw my arm over his waist, holding him in place so he wouldn’t stop what he was doing.
I hadn’t experienced many perfect moments, even in all the centuries I’d lived, but this was definitely one of them.
I felt warm, safe, and peaceful.
I wanted to remain here, in this moment and in his arms, always.
