His face pulled back. He looked at her, and his fingers pinched her chin delicately. His thumb ran a circle there, his eyes following the circle. “I am trying every day.”
She nodded, feeling something loosen in her chest. Her mouth opened in a yawn and he stepped back.
“Sorry,” she kept yawning. “I am not yawning at your words.”
He smiled. “I know. Go to sleep.”
“Hmm.”
His lips curled higher and his eyebrows rose.
She ignored him, turning and striding out of the kitchen. “Let me show you to your room and everything set up there, the AC is working on fan mode so let me see if…”
“I will sleep in the hall.”
“Why?”
“Better for security.”
“Nothing will happen.”
“I am not here for nothing.”
“I have been living here for the last five months!”
“And what hasn’t happened for five months won’t happen in the next five hours?”
She turned and Hmmmed so hard that a snort left his nostrils.
“Fine,” she reached the hall with its sectional sofa set. “I’ll put sheets here and bring your pillows…”
“No. This is fine.”
“This?” She looked down at the faux leather. “The material sticks to your skin. It’s very annoying when it’s hot, trust me.”
“I’m fine.”
“You will need water…”
“No.” He undid the top button of his shirt and sat down on the sofa.
“Lie down.”
“What?”
“Lie down, let me see you are not joking about sleeping here.”
He shook his head, but pulled off his socks and lay down on the sofa, head on the handrest.
“You are lying. You are still wearing your specs.”
“Take them off.”
“What? Me?”
He shrugged, closing his eyes. Amaal’s stomach fluttered. Kissing him was one thing, why was taking off his specs making this happen? She wetted her lips, then carefully stepped close to him. His eyes remained closed, his breathing gone slow.
“I am taking them off,” she warned, herself more than him.
