The moonlight casts long shadows across the floor and up the walls, the light waking me more than I wish it would.
I lose my internal battle and glance at the clock.
It’s nearly one in the morning.
Ugh.
Flipping the covers off my body, I toss a white tank top over my purple bralette and pull on a pair of black sleep shorts. Since I sleep in a bra and underwear and don’t feel comfortable walking around in such little clothing, I decide it’s best to cover myself. I know who lurks in the other rooms in this house. Jess and the twins may be gone, but it would just be awkward if the kids found me since it’s only them and me in the house.
I pad down the stairs on feathered feet and quietly open my door, walking through the eerily silent house. The only sounds are my faint steps, my heartbeat, and my shallow breaths. Managing to quietly make it down all the flights of stairs, I step into the foyer.
My skin prickles, the hairs on my arms standing on end, responding to a presence that makes all the sensitive nerve endings in my body tingle.
I peer into the kitchen to my right, only lit by the light on over the stovetop on the kitchen island. Scanning my surroundings,my eyes drift to the dark living room, faintly glowing from the moonlight filtering through the windows, casting shadows across the room.
But it’s the shadow sitting on the couch in a far corner of the room that has my heart creeping into my throat.
The silver light dances across Colten’s features in an ethereal way. His concentration on me is secure and unrelenting, freezing me in place at the base of the stairs.
Neither of us has moved, and I’m completely aware that I can’t see his eyes from this far away, but they feel black and bottomless. The obscure kind that pulls me in, wanting to venture and see how close I can get until I fall into them, and he swallows me whole.
A glass of amber liquid is on the end table. He picks it up, the surface of the alcohol shimmering from the moonlight.
Colten’s gaze holds mine.
I slowly part from the staircase and wander into the living room, keeping him a safe distance away.
“Um…I—” I inhale a deep breath. My nipples pebble under my shirt in response to his company, making me feel entirely more exposed than I am. “I just needed a glass of water,” I whisper, loud enough that he can hear me, while pointing to the kitchen.
There’s no response from him. His chest rises and falls, and the silence stretches between us.
Chills break out across my bare arms and legs. My tone shakes. “What are you doing in here?”
“Elena had a nightmare.” His sleepy, deep voice tenses every one of my muscles. “She came to get me.”
Shit.
She walked outside by herself at this time of night? The twins and Jessica may be in Seattle, but I’m here.
I fold my arms over my chest, attempting to hide my firm nipples from his view. Colten’s eyes land on the movement, his fingers tightening around the glass tumbler on his knee.
I shift unnervingly. “Why wouldn’t she come get me?”
He swirls the amber drink in his glass leisurely. He lifts it to his mouth, but instead of taking a sip, he inhales the sweet aroma. He closes his eyes briefly before setting the glass back on his knee.
“She comes to find me when they scare her more than others. I guess she thinks I’m better at handling nightmares.”
“Are you?” There’s a nervous edge in my tone.
I absentmindedly step toward him, and he cocks his head, observing my movements.
His eyes roam my body. “I’ve dealt with my own.”
My breaths become shallower, causing my hands to shake. “Delt with your own or dealing with your own?” I ask.
Slits appear in his eyes. “Why would you ask me that?”
I shrug, heart thumping. “There’s a big difference.”
