Thirty three

Being woken up by Shay is very much like being woken up by a cat. Currently, Shay is sitting on my chest staring intensely at me. I haven't opened my eyes just yet, but I can feel his eyes on me, beckoning me to open mine.

Come to think of it, it's rather sweet, and I might actually get used to this kind of wake-up call. It beats waking up alone in a drafty loft.

I know it's late because the sun is already high up in the sky and the smell of something yummy wafts through the crack in the door. But that doesn't seem to dissuade Shay from leaving his perch.

Slowly, I open my eyes and I'm greeted by a pair of wonderful electric blue eyes. Shay has his head tilted to one side, watching me curiously. He grumbles, excited, licks his snout, and call me crazy, I think he is trying to tell me there is food waiting, and I'm wasting time sleeping.

Fortunately, I slept better than I have slept in years. I feel refreshed, and reenergized, and right now I could easily tackle a mountain of food to satisfy my voracious appetite.

I can't remember when it was the last time I felt this good. Or slept so well. I can't stop myself from grinning. Shay, bless him, looks at me like I've lost my mind. Can't blame the poor creature for thinking that, I've thought of it many times myself.

Whatever Graham has put in that bath water, or in the tea, has worked wonders on me. I should definitely get a lifetime supply if this is the result.

Only when I push myself on the bed, Shay moves off my chest, to sit on his haunches next to me, still very much impatient. The thing is, he doesn't behave the same around Mason or anyone else that I've noticed.

Even if he acknowledges Mason's presence, Shay doesn't run to him, even though they have known each other for far longer than we have.

" All right, little one. I get it. There is food out there and you want it," I push myself off the bed, while Shay jumps down and scurries out of the room as if his ass is on fire.

His excitable nature is quite contagious, and I feel my mood lift even further as I step out of the room, only to be greeted by the heavy, rich aroma of coffee.

Yes. Coffee.

I swallow the groan of satisfaction at the mere thought of having it.

" Mornin' sweet cheeks," Graham greets me, holding a cup of coffee in his outstretched hand. I could definitely get used to this.

" Morning. Thank you," I take the cup and throw a furtive glance around the room, looking for the man of the hour. He is nowhere in sight, and I feel my good mood deflate a little. He has gone home.

" How are you feeling?" Graham pulls up a chair and sits at the table.

" Good," I take a seat, " I haven't felt this good in a very long time," I amend, and take a sip of my coffee.

This time, I can't hold back the moan, and Graham makes a face.

" Don't make this kind of sounds around me. I've already seen you naked. My imagination has a mind of its own," He gives me his signature toothy grin, and I smile back. I know he is only joking, at least I hope he is, but still, it makes me a little uncomfortable, at the reminder that he has seen me almost, naked.

" I hope you're joking. Because if you're not, this is going to be a very awkward conversation," His only reply is a grin even wider than the previous one.

" I guess, you'll never know," He picks up his coffee, and winks at me, with a brilliant smile still playing on his lips.

" I'm serious, Graham," I press on, and he nods in assent, his smile slowly dims.

" Don't worry. I'm just having a bit of fun. Nothing to worry about," He reassures me, but I can't shake the uneasiness that has settled in me. It's all good fun and games, but I don't want him to think that I'm interested in him, romantically.

He would make an excellent partner. He is caring, has an upbeat personality, is patient, always sees the brighter side of things and has an uncanny ability to put me at ease even in the worst moments.

Should I tell him?

" Don't get me wrong. I think you're a great person. I've never met anyone quite like you. But this is complicated," I pause for a moment to find my words. The right ones anyway.

" Mason," He interjects, frowns, and I look over my shoulder, only to find Mason staring at us. How come I didn't sense him coming?

The worst timing ever.

" Good morning. I see that you're feeling better," He struts over to where we are seated and parks a bag full of fruit on the table.

" Good morning. I am feeling better," All of a sudden, I feel all the blood rush into my face. One look is all it takes to make me fluster. Will I ever be able to be around him without being on the verge of having a heart attack or a stroke?

" I'm glad. I bought you some fresh fruits to have with your breakfast. It appears that Graham is still a caveman and the only thing that is edible in his fridge are the eggs, and meat, " He piles an assortment of brightly coloured fruits on the table.

" You didn't have to go through all this trouble just for me. I'm fine," I'm a little breathless, I look at Graham, silently asking for help, but the bastard just grins at me.

You're on your own.

Mason takes a seat on my right, and I become acutely aware of how little distance there is between us, his eyes are fixed on my face, assessing.

" I didn't. But I wanted to. In fact it was my pleasure," Graham stands and leaves me with Mason on my own. I've dealt with him before on my own, but when he is being nice, it's a bit like quicksand. If you move you'll just sink faster. And can't do that.

" And you're not fine. You died yesterday. You need to rest and eat properly," Thankfully Graham returns holding two cups of coffee, and I feel the tension that has my body wound so tight that it might snap in half from the tension, ease a little.

" I am. I will. Coffee first." I sound a bit like an automated machine.

He must be fully aware of the effect he has on me because he smirks, and tilts his head, studying me intensely.

I know he does. There is no guessing there.