Chapter Twenty Three Lingering Desires

The soft sound of rain woke me up, pattering softly on the window panes as I opened my eyes to a green room. Different from mine. However, my mind was still hazy and in my barely conscious state, I failed to understand that there was something noticeably altered about the way I was sleeping.

Stifling a yawn, I turned over and snuggled into something warm. I felt that warmth encircle me and bring me closer to the hearth. Closing my eyes, I realized that something big had happened the night before. Pulling away from the strong heat, I opened my eyes and stared into gray orbs.

Eyes widening, I sat up and stared as Nate chuckled and grabbed my waist, throwing me back down beside him as he easily rested his arm around me.

"...Nate?" I asked, wondrously. I wasn't wearing any clothes, which could only mean one thing.

Images from last night filled my head, making a brilliant smile light up my blushing cheeks. I laughed, turning in to kiss him softly, "I love you, ya know?"

He grinned and took me carefully in his arms, kissing my lips gently before responding, "I know."

Snickering, I sat up, allowing the sheets to fall from my now exposed chest as I swung my legs over the bed, stretching. There was a small intake of breath and I turned to see Nate staring at the faded mark on my back. Eyes narrowed, I scoffed as I felt the bed move. His hands caressed the clover marking and his breath whispered in my ear, "Where did you get this?"

Of course he wouldn't have seen it last night. Despite the fact that both our minds were way to hazy to completely process anything, my back was never faced directly toward him.

My silence made him worry, "...Alice?"

A soft sigh left my mouth. I stared at the ground and mumbled, "It's a part of my past, Nate. Just forget about it."

He hesitated, but finally nodded, retreating back to his place on the bed as he watched me stretch.

"Do you mind if I use your shower?" I asked, glancing back at him to see his eyes raking up and down my body.

My green eyes turned dangerously crafty as I leaned forward to grab his hand, "You're welcome to join, of course."

His face turned unsure, "I don't know...I should probably get back to-"

I cut him off, leaning in to press my lips to the inside of his wrist just as he had done last night. Just like last night, it seemed to draw his attention to me as he studied my advances.

Looking up at him with my sly, narrowed eyes, I shrugged, releasing his wrist and getting up. He didn't move as I walked around the bed, eyes never leaving his, "Well, if you have work to do, Nate darling, you'd better get to it," I laughed lightly, and the sound rang throughout the room as I grabbed the door of the bathroom, "I wouldn't want to distract you with my...lingering desires."

Eyes laughing, I send him one final smirk before disappearing into the bathroom and turning the water on.

And really, what kind of man could resist that? Nate hurriedly threw the sheets from his body and stood, rushing into the bathroom without a second thought.

*Page Break*

There must have been something odd between Nate and I, at least to the others. Halle took one look at us and rolled her eyes, a knowing smile lighting up her face. Gevanni and Rester shared a look and systematically ignored us as though we had some sort of disease.

I wasn't stupid, and Nate certainly wasn't either. Chuckling softly in my ear as I sat beside him in the metal chairs, he whispered, "They know."

Smirking, I laughed quietly, "I know they know. They shouldn't be surprised."

At this, Nate raised an eyebrow, "And why is that?"

My eyes softened from their normal coldness and I leaned forward, kissing my lover's cheek as I breathed my response, "Because I love you."

He seemed to like my words: bringing an arm around me, he pulled me in and smiled. We shared a warm look and a fake cough filled the silence. My light-hearted mood disappeared with the blink of an eye and I growled, turning in my seat to stare Rester down.

"Commander Rester," I called, crossing my legs and beating my fingers against the armrest, "Is there any reason you're in such a good mood?"

He laughed, "I believe I should be the one asking you that."

Halle shot him a warning look as a dangerous smirk filled my face. Getting up from the chair, I casually walked over to him, slinking into the seat beside him and locking my gaze onto the chess game Gevanni and him were playing.

"Well," I began, my eyes dancing between two pieces as I formed my own strategy in my mind, "I do have a reason. You see..." leaning closer so that only Rester could hear, I began to describe last night's moments in detail.

By the time I had finished, my eyes were practically watering from my silent laughter.

Rester's eyes were tightly closed and his hands were at his ears, trying to drone me out. But I always had a way. Purring beside him, I smirked and continued to torture him with my lavish story until Nate sighed and called, "Alice, was our night so awful that you feel the need to share it with Commander Rester?"

Glancing over at my boyfriend I grinned sharply, "Of course not, Nate," I responded amiably, adding a quiet, "...He got what he deserved, I'll tell you that, Rester. It was a battle of desires which continued on into the morning..."

The white haired detective rolled his eyes and sighed at his lover's words. She would pay for spilling the details of their intimate night. He smirked: he would get his recompense for her actions.

Shorttt chapter, huh? But I definitely wanted to add a 'morning after' scene because I just love those so much! =D

Thanks for the reviews, and also for reminding me to change the rating, ThexWorld'sxAxBrokenxBone XD I would've completely forgotten...

As always, thanks for reading and I'll see ya'll in the next chapter. =D