Page 38 of Keeping Laryn
“Right, of course you aren’t okay. You woke up in a strange room, in a strange bed, with the last person you thought you’d ever wake up next to.”
Her tone was no-nonsense and matter of fact, and it surprisingly went a long way toward making him feel better. She was blushing though, which made him wonder anew at what had happened last night.
“What—” Casper was surprised his voice was so scratchy. He cleared his throat and tried again. “What happened?”
She sighed. “I’ll get into that in a second. First, let’s get you up. I think you’ll feel better after a shower. I don’t have anythingelse you can put on, so you’ll have to make do with your flight suit until you can get home and change, but you’ll feel more like yourself after a shower. I’ll get coffee going while you’re doing that.”
Casper wanted to protest, but his brain still felt foggy. And he was still on edge for some reason, which wasn’t like him. He wanted to insist she tell him right this second what had happened, but instead, he blurted, “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
Laryn had gotten off the mattress and, thankfully, straightened her tank top so she was now sufficiently covered once more. But covering up her womanly parts did nothing to make Casper want her less. She was gorgeous. Skin flushed from just waking, curves in all the right places, and her hair was thoroughly disheveled…sex hair. The woman hadsex hair, and he couldn’t remember a damn thing that happened.
“Hurt me? No, of course not.”
She sounded so affronted that he’d even asked, relief swept through Casper. But her reply confused him all the more. If they hadn’t had sex…why was he in her bed? And why the hell couldn’t he remember?
“Come on,” Laryn said. She walked over to where he was still sprawled on the floor and held her hand out.
Without thought, Casper took it and let her help him up. He grabbed his flight suit with his free hand and pulled it up, so he was no longer exposing himself, and followed behind as she led the way out of the room and into the hallway. She hadn’t let go of his hand, and for that he was grateful. It felt grounding.
In a world that seemed upside down, she was suddenly the only constant.
He trusted her. Not only with his life when he was in a chopper, because there was no doubt the woman was a magician with the machines, but with his well-being in general. He was off-kilter and more anxious than he could ever remember being,even right before missions. But with Laryn at his side, he was able to control the unfamiliar feelings coursing through his veins.
She led him into a nondescript bathroom that reminded him of the one in his own apartment. Formica countertops, shower/tub combo, cheap fixtures, and fluorescent lights.
Laryn pointed to the toilet and ordered, “Sit.”
Casper sat.
She began to open drawers and the cabinet under the sink, mumbling under her breath, before saying triumphantly, “Ah ha! I knew I had one in here somewhere.” She held up a toothbrush still in its container. “Got this the last time I went to the dentist and, like a bad patient, I didn’t switch out my old one. Stay,” she ordered.
Bemused, Casper watched as she stepped out of the bathroom, then returned with an armful of towels. “There’s a washcloth and hand towel here, as well as one for after your shower. Take your time. You’ll feel like a new man after you wash off the funk. I’ll be in the kitchen with coffee. I’ve got some bagels and some frozen hashbrowns I can make. Don’t have eggs though, sorry.”
“It’s okay,” he said.
With that, she stepped to the door, about to close it behind her.
“Laryn!” he blurted, not wanting her out of his sight for some reason. She felt like the only familiar thing in the world at the moment.
“Yeah?”
He wasn’t sure what he wanted to say. She couldn’t exactly sit in here while he showered. Besides, he was a grown-ass man, a Night Stalker. He didn’t need someone to hold his hand while he got ready for the day. Except whatever happened last night was messing with his head.
“Thanks,” he eventually said a little lamely.
In response, Laryn stepped back into the small bathroomand came over to him. Casper widened his legs, giving her room to get closer. She didn’t hesitate, stepping into his personal space. Because he was sitting, she was taller than him. She put her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes.
“You’re okay, Tate. I know you’re confused, probably anxious, still tired, and maybe even a little nauseous. From what I’ve read, that’s normal. And I’ll tell youeverythingover breakfast. Promise.”
Licking his lips, Casper nodded slightly. She’d nailed the feelings coursing through him. Acting on instinct, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lowered his head to her chest. Her hands came up and caressed his hair as he rested against her bosom. He could feel her heat through her shirt, hear her heart beating under his cheek.
Her scent soothed him. Vanilla. He remembered that from the night before last. How her lotion smelled like cookies.
Another memory flashed in his brain. Of him lying against her, his hand under her shirt, his lips pretty much where they were right now…against her tits. A feeling of comfort engulfed him. That safe feeling returned.
It was way too soon when Laryn shifted against him, and he reluctantly dropped his arms and lifted his head. Without a word, she smiled at him before turning and leaving the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Taking a deep breath, Casper stood and carefully stepped out of his flight suit. Leaving it on the floor and wearing only his underwear, he stared at himself in the mirror and saw a man who appeared to be on the verge of an anxiety attack. It wasn’t a good look, and it definitely wasn’t him.
