NADINE'S P.O.V
I managed to fall asleep but I had the worst dream of my life.
I had dreamed of monsters and death before, I had even dreamed of going to class naked once when I was twelve. I had vivid nightmares where I thought I was dying and horrible daydreams but never had I ever dreamed the kind of dream that had me waking up completely soaked.
To make matters worse, it was Caine who shook me awake when I moaned out his name. He seemed amused by the whole thing but my cheeks were a bright crimson color.
"Did you sleep well?" he mused and it took everything in me not to smack him.
It was one thing to have a sex dream and it was a completely different thing to have a sex dream when the object of the dream was right in front of you.
"Shut up," I mumbled as I pulled myself to my feet.
"Are you going to tell me what the dream was about?"
Merely asking about it brought memories of the dream back to my mind, memories of his hand in between my thighs and his mouth on my-
"I miss when you were a stoic bastard who grunted all the time."
"It's as you said, we are stuck with each other princess, we may as well get used to it," he made his way over to me. "Get dressed, your friends are coming over today. We need to figure out what the hell we are doing."
"Are you going to help them?"
I hated how hopeful my tone was. As much as I liked how things were with just the two of us, it was incredibly lonely. I didn't have any female friends, I didn't have people to gossip with.
"I haven't decided yet," was his response.
I sighed and headed for the bathroom but his hand wrapped around my bicep and he pulled me to a stop. He stepped closer until his chest was brushing against my back. Ever so gently, he pushed my hair away from my shoulder and when I felt his hot breath by my ear, goosebumps went down my spine.
"If you ask nicely, I'll make your little dream come true."
My breath caught in my throat. "You don't know what I dreamed about."
"It isn't hard to guess," I could feel his smile against my cheek. "All you have to do is ask nicely, I can be magnanimous sometimes."
"You're cocky."
"Self-assured."
I turned to face him. "Who says I dreamed about you? I could have been dreaming about someone else."
He snorted. "The only other man in your life would have to be your little friend from the bunker."
"Joshua?" I asked and he waved me off as if to say that the name was unimportant.
"You have as much chemistry with him as dry paint. But if lying to yourself helps then be my guest," he pulled back from me and walked over to the door. "Breakfast is waiting downstairs."
I took an extra long and extra cold shower.
By the time I got down the stairs, I was somewhat more controlled and there was a bowl of soup waiting for me on the table. It tasted like piss but it was better than nothing so I forced it down my throat.
It took me a few minutes to gather the courage to speak to Caine. "When do you think they're coming?"
As if on cue, there was a soft knock on the front door. I watched Caine carefully, saw the annoyance on his face as he made his way over and pushed the door open. Max and Irene stood there looking worse for wear. They looked like they hadn't slept at all or even eaten and Max was shivering just a little.
"Caine," he ignored me and I sighed, dropping my voice a little. "Rowan-"
He stepped aside, letting them in. I could see the surprise on Irene's face but she quickly hid it as she walked into the house.
"You got a good one," she mumbled. "It isn't as cold in here."
"Where are you staying?" I asked and she shrugged.
"A house down the street. The windows are shattered but it's the only one that didn't have dead bodies inside. What did you do with the family that was here?"
"That's none of your business," Caine mumbled and I almost laughed.
A few minutes ago, I had asked for the grumpy side of him and it was back. He was scowling at them, his hands crossed over his chest as he watched them.
"Is this the part where we convince you about why you should let us come with you?"
"It would be a good time, yes."
There was silence for a moment before Irene sighed. "We have been on our own since the monsters first showed up. We were on our own long before then even. We know how to survive. I can hunt for food."
"I can hunt too," Caine cut her off. "Something else."
"I'm quiet."
"So am I."
"My brother can make traps."
There was a brief hesitation before Caine nodded. "That's a start."
I saw a bit of relief flash through her eyes. "I also don't have my monthly cycle. I got a complete hysterectomy when I was twenty."
"Why?"
I smacked Caine's shoulder. "That's personal."
"I don't care," he turned back to her. "Why?"
"Did she have to go through the same interrogation?" Irene asked. "Or is this just for us?"
"I trust her. Answer my question or you may as well get the fuck out of here now."
Her cheeks burned a bright red color but she and she glared at Caine with daggers in her eyes. He was prying far too deep and he knew it.
"It's easy to get pregnant when you're living on the street. Drunk men don't always know how to take no for an answer. I stole some money and got it done. It's easier that way."
"I'm sorry-" I began but she cut me off.
"I don't need your pity," she turned to Caine. "Is that enough for you? I just need my brother safe. I can stay on my own."
"You can follow us but you need to keep your distance. I'm not dying because of you."
That was a much better response than I was expecting and for a moment, I thought I had imagined it.
Even Irene and Max seemed shocked but they managed to hide it.
Technically, Irene did, Max was finding it harder to hide his relief. "When do we leave?"
"Not now. We need to gather supplies first."
"But-"
"Not now," he snapped.
He walked away from them and grabbed my arm as he did, pulling me towards another room.
For once, I didn't protest, merely let him lead me into the kitchen. We could keep a close eye on them from here while managing to get some privacy.
"I never asked if you get your cycle."
I couldn't help but notice that he couldn't even look at me as he spoke and I had to force down a laugh.
"You quizzed her in there but now that you're talking to me, you can't even look at me."
"Just answer the goddamned question."
"No, I got a shot once we made it to the bunker. It takes it away for a year."
"How much time do you have left before it comes back?"
I paused, doing the mental calculations in my head before swallowing. "Three months, give or take."
"I guess we just have to find a bunker in three months."