Ravaged With You by J. Kenner

Author:J. Kenner [Kenner, J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Martini & Olive

Chapter Twelve

After jumping between streaming services for what felt like a decade, we finally decided on a classic marathon. We ended up drinking wine for me and fizzy water for him and eating cheese cubes while we watched Raiders of the Lost Ark followed by Back to the Future.

As far as I’m concerned, it was about as perfect as an evening can get.

It’s the after part that’s hard. This uncomfortable moment in which I find myself alone in my room with only my thoughts to keep me company. Dark thoughts about mysterious packages and my husband slipping slowly beneath the fermenting mash.

Well, shit.

For over an hour, I beg sleep to spirit me away, but to no avail, so I once again slide out of bed, then head to the guest bedroom. Although to be honest, it’s only been a guest bedroom since last night when Red slept there. For most of the last year, it had been Mel’s room. When he’d stayed at home, anyway.

Then again, all things considered, maybe it was a guest room even then.

I hesitate at the door, remembering Red’s reaction this morning, and I almost turn back. But I don’t. I stay.

I tell myself it’s only because I don’t want to be alone, but that’s a lie. The truth is that I don’t want to be alone knowing that Red is right there, just a few feet away in a room separated from mine by nothing more substantial than the guest bathroom.

What I want is him.

Not sexually—or, at least, I tell myself that’s not what I want—but simply the comfort of knowing that even though the world has turned upside down, he’s still here for me.

And that’s why I gently push open his door, then give it a quick tap. It wouldn’t be enough to wake me, but I know Red’s a light sleeper, and I see his eyes flicker in the ambient light.

“Can I sleep here?”

One eye opens, his expression bordering on a scowl. “Do you remember this morning? I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

I sigh as I lean against the doorjamb, only then noticing Romeo curled up in the armchair in the corner of the room. I smile, but my attention turns back to Red. “I wish you’d tell me why.”

He closes his eyes and is silent for so long, I start to think he’s fallen back asleep. “You’re right. We haven’t talked much. Not like before.”

I take a step forward, not sure if that’s an invitation or not, but willing to be bold. “We used to talk all the time. I’d tell you every stupid thought in my head. I even told you about the fiasco when I slept with—oh, God. I don’t even remember his name.”

“Timothy Brant.”

“You remember that?”

His eyes open slowly, and he watches as I continue to cross the room, then sit on the edge of the bed, just inches from his hips. I wait for him to tell me to go back to my room, but he surprises me by pushing himself up, then settling his back against the padded headboard.

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