I was awakened by a loud knocking on my door. Still tired, I kept my eyes closed. "Go away, Neal, I'm not hungry yet," I mumbled. I turned my face into the pillow to shut out the morning light. Mmmm, my pillow smelled good. Was it always this hard?
As the knocking persisted, my pillow shifted beneath me. Snapping up to a sitting position, the previous night flooded back to me. "Ohhhh."
Dom smiled sleepily as he reached up and brushed my hair from my face. His touch was light, tickling my cheek. "Good morning," his voice was husky.
"You have company," I informed him, pulling the sheets up to cover myself. He raised an eyebrow, eyeing my covered chest. Feeling the heat rush to my cheeks, I was grateful when his eyes shifted to the door.
"I think they left." He turned his attention back to me, eyes twinkling. Without warning, he grabbed the sheet from me and tossed it to the foot of the bed, leaving me exposed. "Much better." He pulled me down next to him as he began kissing my shoulder.
I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to regulate my breathing as his lips travelled to my neck. Running my fingers along his muscled back, I delighted in watching him shiver.
Click.
"What was that?" I felt a well of panic in my chest as I struggled to sit up, watching the door.
Dom pinned my arms to the bed as he kissed the hollow of my throat. "Nothing," he whispered, moving downwards.
I wasn't about to argue with that.
The door slammed open. "What's this about you not answering? Dom, we're heading out now! I understand you're busy, but I don't appreciate the men having to come get me to break you out!"
Dom lifted his head from where he was kissing my stomach. He slowly turned to face the door as I scrambled to the foot of the bed to grab the sheets. Once I was suitably covered, I forced myself look up.
"Sir I apologize. I didn't realize I was being called for duty." Dom stood up, searching around for his clothes.
My gaze shifted from the doorway to Dom. He seemed completely at ease walking around the room bare. I didn't want to stare… but he was beautiful.
"Well I'm sorry to put a halt to an encore of what was clearly a memorable night."
Dom was pulling on his loincloth as he grinned. "So you heard."
"Boy, the whole Own heard."
I gasped, feeling my whole face burn. Did they have to talk like I wasn't here? And everyone heard? I clasped my hands in my lap, holding the sheets up with my arms. Carefully keeping my eyes on my hands, I tried to make my face blank.
"Kel?!" Raoul bellowed.
I looked up to see his jaw hanging open; his eyes were full of shock.
Not knowing what to say, I turned to Dom for help. Dom began shaking the wrinkles from his breeches as he turned his face to Raoul, and then to me, and then back to Raoul. Big help.
"Sir, I just-"
"I really don't want to hear it, Kel." Raoul's eyes were closed as if he were trying to forget an unpleasant image. Eyes still closed, he turned to head out the door.
Wolset popped in, blocking Raoul's exit. "What's this about Lady Kel?" He had a mischievous grin as he leaned around Raoul to get a look at Dom, who was still shaking out his pants. "And sorry about getting the commander, Dom, but we headin' out now. Besides, we heard you lot havin' enough fun to last night to hold you over to next midwinter."
Before Dom could respond, Wolset's gaze turned to me. Was it possible for my face to get hotter? "Kel?" He whispered. The he let out a whoop as he bolted for the door. Raoul caught his arm, preventing him from leaving.
"Don't you dare shout this around," Raoul growled. Seeing Wolset swallow, I was suddenly grateful that it was Raoul who had walked in on us.
"Why is everyone so shocked?" Dom asked. "I mean… we went to the ball together last night… we stayed at the ball until the end… you heard us… what you thought I picked up another lady on the way home?"
I had to agree. Dom wouldn't do that, despite his reputation. These men knew him better than that.
Raoul spun around, his eyes carefully avoiding me. "I'm not surprised… I just… didn't expect Kel…" He motioned in my general direction.
In answer to my earlier wondering, it was in fact, possible for my face to burn hotter. I kept my eyes on Dom, unable to look at Raoul or Wolset. Dom gave me an encouraging smile as he pulled on his breeches. "Well she needed help with the laces on her dress-"
"And I suppose," Wolset interrupted, "you needed help with your pants?"
A/N: This is the final installment, I hope you liked it! Thank you so much to all my reviewers; without you I would have just posted chapter 1 and left it at that. As always, any feedback is much appreciated!
