She jumped down and he grunted at the heavy nudge on his knee waking up. She whispered an apology and blushed at the blue blanket she was covered in shrugging it off.
"What time is it?" She asked pushing up to gaze at the clock; 8 pm, he smirked drowsy putting up a hand to bring her back, she shrugged tiredly.
"I'm so depleted," Her head was throbbing and she could barely take in her surroundings, only his exotic scent, her eyes eased to his nipple. Her mind was filling with racy thoughts and she scolded herself.
She curled up when he pulled her back to himself, his voice in a low, deep, throaty mumble urging her to stay still, Odetta almost didn't believe it herself, she thought this was merely a dream and his charm was pulling her toward him.
His name withdrew easily from her lips and she felt herself inclining to him, then she murmured a complaint.
"Have you taken your medicine?" His deep voice rumbled and he brushed her bangs off her forehead.
"Mmm," She didn't expect him to sound so devoted, so loving. She didn't want to think about him. "Not today,"
He brushed her hair and her tired eyes drooped. She was spent and he pacified her till she closed her eyes leaning on his chest. She couldn't think of the last thing to rob her of a wink. She was so relaxed that she thought she might have dozed off. When Edward moved, she budged awake and her face grew hotter, turning red, ashamed to draw apart. She thought of a conversation to stay formal.
"I'm going to nursing school," She murmured.
"You're what?" He said as though he couldn't believe his ears. His hand caressed her face and Odetta nearly sneezed, his touch was alluring too.
She sat up to relieve herself of contact and nodded.
His chest heaved. "If there's anything I can do...,"
She shook her head and his eyes tilted.
"I can take you back,"
She sat up "Really? Then anything would be convincing, pfft,"
Her cheeks flushed "Oh, Ed, it would mean so much to me, my dad usually doesn't take no for an answer,"
"So do I," His eyes moved over hers determined and she looked away.
"I have a boyfriend," She said sternly.
He groaned sitting up at her confession.
"Right. Let's make it official," He threw up a hand.
***
Odetta relished a bowl of oatmeal and laid back in her socks. She read a magazine and engaged herself, after all, it was a slow day. There was a line of direct messages on her Mode account and she received emails from Luxe Textiles about an ejection notice.
She laid back and gazed at her visitor who walked in, her eyes dilated at Jake and he gave her a warm smile.
"Hi, Odie,"
She curled her fingers. "I was not expecting you,"
"Can't a guy visit his girlfriend for a change?" He asked all in good humour.
Oh, I could use good humour. She thought and hugged him. He smelled like something out of a fresh package and she loved it.
He kissed her cheek and she held him close relishing his company, his hand clenched on her shoulders. "Are you OK?" He asked and Odetta's head swivelled.
"I should've looked after you," He brushed his eye and she smiled.
"Jake, you big baby, it's a thing of the past," She said.
"It wasn't your fault," She brushed his hair and his green eyes rose to scan her face lovingly.
"How do you manage to stay explicit after what's happened to you?"
Her hands curled on his and she bit her lip.
"I'm just so glad you're okay," Jake told her and his arm encircled her shoulders and her eyes closed when he kissed her.
Jake emerged surprised,
Odetta blinked patting his shirt, to him, she appeared dazed. Her head lowered.
"What?"
She snickered looking away. "You're gonna fall sick, oh my god,"
She shoved him and it hit him.
"It was an impulse, I'm sorry,"
***
Edward felt rage boiling in his chest, just thinking about that morning. "How could she?"
---
"What is wrong with you!?" She questioned with round eyes. His sarcasm was over the top. With the direct way he was flirting, he thought by making advances, he was doing her a favour.
"You are disgusting,"
He was surprised and hurt to hear that "Don't lie to me, I heard you sleep-talking, last night, you didn't speculate that I pulled your body over mine, did you?" His deep blue eyes flashed in query.
Her face flushed "No, I_"
"Or how you said you wished we could be together_"
"Ed!" She drew out slowly to convince herself too that it was all a mind game. She needed to regulate her breathing and her thoughts too, but all she could envision was her and Ed in her head.
"It's not fair for you to meddle into my sleep-time, whether you heard me or not, I am still with Ja_," She hiccuped and coughed startling him.
His forehead creased, and he had a scowl that entailed, he wanted to hear what she has to say.
He swallowed hard and he reached for her hand when she massaged her temple.
She brushed it aside. "I'm fine, I'm just a little queasy,"
His eyes rolled up and she swore she could see his eyes squint when he laughed. Her heart pulsed. "Excuse me,"
"You need to rest," He heaved onto her hand.
"I want to leave," She rose and sighed getting her shoes to leave.
"Your pills will be ready Miss Lawrence," The nurse said quietly and dismissed herself.
***
She avoided his eyes holding him closely. She thought it was over until he trudged inside with his crutch.
"Ed,"
Jake looked from her to him and stood up.
"This is my room," His eyes flashed and Jake was comely enough to hold out his hand. Edward grinned and snorted.
"Ed," She whispered behind him.
Jake then glanced at her, taken aback by his firm handshake.
Her jaw dropped when their hands clenched against each other. Jake let go waving his sore hand.
"Who is this guy?" He joked.
"Edward Cummings," He replied.
"Ed, please," She beckoned with a stare and he looked like he was ready to say something.
"Friend of yours? You haven't quite introduced me yet," He said and she bit her lip more than ready to avoid this situation.
"Um, he's not_"
"I'm her boyfriend, Jake Wyatt," He answered hoarsely.
Odetta refrained from talking and her pulsed raced when Ed read her expression. She was speechless and flustered.
"What was your name again?" He asked.
"That's enough," She said squarely to Edward and faced him with pleading eyes.
"Jake_It's not what it looks like,"
"No, I think we got off on the wrong foot,"
Then he nodded after a moment's hesitation.
"I'm a little sick, I_I'll call you," Her hand curled on Jake's sleeve, her fingers skidded his shirt while he stood head to head with Edward.
Frankly annoyed that he was a foot taller and refused to be stared down.
"Please...,"
"Ed_"
"I don't see a ring on it,"
"Oh no, this is so uncalled for,"
His eyes grazed Edward's bitterly. "I'm her boyfriend, I think I have a headstart,"