Teach Me

Chapter 8: The Night Visitor

I panicked. My chest heaved as I sat up, trying to get my bearings. I saw Alex standing at my bedroom door. It was opened a crack and he was peeking in.

"What the f**k are you doing in here?" I demanded as fear gripped me. I pulled the covers up around myself as if they might somehow protect me.

"Nothing, I was just..." he whispered in response, but I spoke over him.

"I thought you said the door locked?! I thought I could trust you!?" I yelled, my tone accusing. Why was he sneaking into my room in the middle of the night? Was he going to try something after all?

"Lace, it's not what you think..." he tried to explain, his voice cutting through the darkness.

"You need to leave! Now!" I barked, fear and anger coursing through my veins.

"Okay, I'm going. Sorry..." he tried to placate me. He looked irritated and dejected as he retreated, pulling the door closed behind himself.

I let out a sigh of relief in the darkened room, but terror gripped me once more as I felt pressure on my legs, like someone was still holding me down.

Looking down at my lap now, I noticed a black shape moving near me. As if on cue, Titan yawned and let out a small whine. It had been him squirming around on the bed and lying on top of me, making me feel like I was being pinned down.

The realization cleared up some of my fears and concerns, but I now felt guilty about yelling at Alex. I sighed in exasperation, resting my head in my hands with a groan.

In the quiet of the night, I heard noises outside my room, like cups clinking. With a sigh, I decided to take the opportunity to check if Alex was still up so that I could clear the air, rather than waiting til morning.

I gave Titan a rub on what seemed to be his head before climbing off the bed and making my way to the door. I opened it quietly and listened, certain I heard the kettle boiling.

Wandering into the kitchen, I found Alex, stirring a cup of coffee which was set down on his immaculate granite countertop. He wore gray sweatpants, like the ones I was wearing, but he was naked from the waist up, and in the darkness, I could see that the tattoo he had revealed on his left arm earlier now snaked up into a full-sleeve and partial chest piece.

He looked up, startled to see me standing there. "I promise, I was just trying to get Titan out. I had absolutely no other intentions," he explained quickly, obviously wanting to get his side of the story across before I shut him down again.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I was just... You scared me," I admitted, feeling embarrassed for my outburst now.

"I figured. But honestly, I had no ill intentions. You fell asleep so I took you to bed. If anything, you should be upset with Titan... He's the one who climbed into bed with you," Alex explained with a teasing smirk.

I chuckled, the tension of the altercation between us melting away.

I rubbed my eyes trying to free them of sleep. "Coffee?" he offered, taking a sip of his own.

"Sure," I agreed with a nod as I slipped into one of the bar stools opposite him at the kitchen island. He turned to pull a mug out of the cupboard behind him, revealing a full back piece. How many tattoos did this guy have?

He turned back to me and noticed me staring again. "Do you have any?" he asked curiously, obviously knowing exactly what I had been looking at. I shook my head.

He slid the mug over toward me as he picked up his own and took another sip. "Think you'll get back to sleep any time soon?" he asked, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Probably not. I'll likely lie in bed scolding myself for being so rude to you for the next three to four hours," I groaned. It was true.

He let out a small laugh. I liked his laugh. "Want to go for a walk in the garden?" he suggested.

I looked out through the kitchen window, it was still pouring with rain. "But it's raining?" I objected.

"Oh... Will you melt?" he asked sarcastically.

"I don't have any dry clothes..." was my next excuse.

"I'll give you more," he replied with a shrug.

"But what if..." I began, but he cut me off.

"It's a simple yes or no, Lace. Do you want to or not?" he pressed, not allowing me to make any more excuses.

I took my coffee cup with a sigh, climbed off the stool and headed toward the dining area where there was an enormous window overlooking the garden. It was dark and cloudy with not even a glimmer of moonlight shining though, but I noticed a small structure in the distance where fairy lights blinked enticingly. It looked magical and I was intrigued.

"What's that?" I asked, gesturing to the fairy lights as I felt his presence behind me.

"Just some fairy lights," he shrugged, purposefully being evasive.

"Can we take an umbrella?" I asked, agreeing to the walk without actually saying the words.

"Sure," he murmured over my shoulder. I could hear the smile in his voice. "You taking your coffee or leaving it here?" he asked before I heard a sharp whistle.

"I'll drink it quick," I said, taking a huge gulp as Titan came bounding excitedly into the room.

Alex disappeared for a moment, only to reappear shortly afterward with a big black umbrella in hand. Titan raced beside him eagerly, never letting Alex out of his sight.

"You ready?" he asked patiently. I took my last gulp of coffee and set the mug down on the kitchen counter.

"Ready," I agreed, wiping my lips with the back of my hand.