His Blind Mate

Chapter 05 Her Comfort Zone

~ Luan ~

My hands touched one book after another, feeling the smooth paperback and thick hardback covers. Every once in a while, I’d bring my nose closer to take a sniff – nothing compared to the smell of books, and it felt like the first time every time.

“Do you want me to choose one for you?” Ky asked, snaking his arms around my waist. He stood behind me, his chin resting on my shoulder. Apparently, he went through the few possessions I had and saw my books. He had a collection in his office, and he moved some of them atop the nightstand. Before I could ask him why since I could no longer read, he told me he’d read them to me!

I owned a few books, all of which were birthday presents from my parents; alone, I submersed myself in worlds far different from our own that I forget my presence here. It helped most during dark days. At night, when I couldn’t sleep for whatever reason and it was the full moon, I’d sit on the floor, find the spot where it was brightest, and read until my body gave away.

“You can tell me what you’re in the mood for,” he said, pulling me away from my thoughts. “I can recommend some.”

“Surprise me?” I replied, a small smile on my lips. I didn’t know I could still smile. It just seemed to happen naturally whenever he was around. Today was our fourth day together, and I was starting to get comfortable around him, much to my surprise.

Ky did sleep on the couch, so I had the bed all to myself. It was really big that I could roll around thrice before I fell. Remembering something, I giggled.

“What are you laughing at cupcake?” he asked, sounding amused. “Care to share the joke?”

I shook my head, grinning.

“Why not?” he whined.

“It’s a secret.” I preferred he forget the whole incident. It was too embarrassing for an eighteen-year-old to still fall out of bed. “Which book are you reading?”

“Your favorite.”

My heart jumped. Only I knew what my favorite book was; it was a secret. Unless…

“I didn’t tell him everything about us,” Sparkle said immediately.

“Why should I believe you now, you tattle tale?” I challenged. I was still mad that she told Ky about my predicament. It was my choice whether to tell or not, and I was afraid of the consequences for both options.

Leila whimpered. I ignored her.

Untangling his arms, I felt him stand beside me. “The Phantom Toolbooth. I have to say I’ve never read this before. This is a first for me.”

“Never?” I blurted out in disbelief. Realizing I just screamed at him, I covered my mouth and stepped back. “I’m sorry. I- I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry.” Please don’t hit me. I raised my arms protectively beside my head, waiting for the pain.

“It’s alright, Luan. You can be yourself around me,” he said softly. Ky had been repeating this line every day, but I still couldn’t wrap my head around it. Everything just… felt like a dream – too unreal from what my life was like four days ago.

His hand held my mine and electricity shot through my arm. I gasped at the sensation.

“Calm down, cupcake. I feel it too.”

I nodded; these sensations were getting stronger by the day. Ky was the kindest – he hadn’t yelled at me or hit me – but the fear of him doing the same to me lingered at the back of my mind. He guided me back to the couch, and I counted the steps again, trying to memorize the layout of this … our room.

I settled beside him, leaning on his chest with his arm draped around my shoulders. His scent, as usual, was refreshing and calming. When I was near him, I could relax albeit just a little for he made me feel protected – that maybe, just maybe, no one could hurt me with him around.

“Comfy?” he asked, and I nodded. He kissed the top of my head then I heard the ruffle of pages. His voice was deep and sexy, and he read in perfect pace that I didn’t get bored and followed the story easily. It was like I was reading it myself, only with a male’s voice in my head. This was my favorite. I didn’t know how he knew, but it made me happy, because he was taking the time to get to know me better.

Ky respected my boundaries and never went further from kissing my hair, sometimes my forehead, and a bit of physical closeness. He never mentioned my past and I was grateful – else I’d think he was just after … that. Though he was spending more and more time in his office, which I was yet to explore, he’d spend time pampering me by the end of the day.

I listened to his voice, visualizing the story in my head, until I was starting to feel sleepy that I yawned. He stopped.

“It is getting late. Do you want to sleep now?”

I covered my mouth as I yawned again. I nodded, rubbing a closed eye with my knuckles. He chuckled, then the book shut. He held my hand. “Let’s get some sleep, cupcake.”

He guided me to the bed, and once again, I counted the steps. My head sank on the fluffy pillow then he raised the sheets up to my chin. After kissing my forehead, he bid me goodnight. I pulled the sheets over my head to hide the creeping blush.

I contemplated in my head if I should go ahead and ask. My tone was higher than normal. “Do you want to sleep with me?”

Pssshhhttt!!!

After what sounded like sprayed water, Ky began to cough violently. I immediately sat up. “Ky? Are you alright? What happened?”

I think he was trying to reply but the coughing didn’t allow him to form coherent words. I made a move to get out of bed.

“-taph,” he said, breathing hard. “Stah… stay…”

I couldn’t decipher what he said next, but I think he wanted me to stay in bed. It pinched my heart – he was going through this, and I couldn’t do anything. He must’ve choked on water; it did happen at times. All the more reason to have him sleep with me now. I hoped it’d be some sort of apology; I didn’t mean to cause this.

Ky took deep breaths and I heard him pound at his chest … or was it his back? “Are you sure?” he asked, now sounding normal.

“Yeah. I don’t think the couch is comfortable for you. And - and we can fit together here,” I replied, whispering the last part, before quickly adding, “But you have to stay on your side!”

His scent tickled my nose then the bed dipped at his weight. “Thank you, cupcake. I promise to stay here, perfectly still. You won’t even notice.”

I smiled at the happiness in his voice. If only I could see his smile.

I held out my hands, scooting closer to his side until I felt his face. I cupped his cheeks. “Smile,” I told him.

“Why?” he asked.

I told him to smile, not move his mouth. His cheeks only stretched.

“Do I not make you smile?” I asked, frowning. Perhaps I was too presumptuous. I pictured it in my mind, but –

“Of course you do, cupcake. Always.” His hand molded into my right, then I felt the apples of his cheeks push back – higher and higher, sending my heart racing. He was grinning – widely! “You always make me smile like this.”

My thumbs traced the slope that formed, then the outline of his lips. It pinched my heart again. “I like your smile,” I mumbled.

It made him laugh, and it warmed my heart.

“I like yours too. It’s the brightest smile I’ve ever seen, and I want to keep seeing it on you.”

I quickly pulled my hands back and turned my back to him. My heart was beating too fast, and my breathing hastened. His tongue must’ve been laced with sorcery for his words to cause these unwanted responses. I fought to keep myself from squealing – it brought me joy unlike never before – probably since I hadn’t heard a compliment from anyone since then.

It was shallow of me to succumb to petty words that might be spider webs, but it did feel good to hear them. He shifted under the sheets.

“Good night,” I said, my voice a bit pitchy.

“Good night, Luan,” he replied. “I almost forgot. I’m introducing you to someone tomorrow. I’m not sure if you know anything about him, but I have a feeling you’ll be friends right away.”

I froze. I wasn’t ready to socialize just yet … I didn’t think I’d still want to. “Is he from the pack?” I asked in a hushed tone.

“Don’t worry. He’ll keep you safe,” he said, yawning. It seemed inappropriate to keep probing on the matter when he was tired. “Good night, mate.”

“Good night…” I replied, cutting myself off before calling him mate.

My friends showed their true colors and bullied me. They body-shamed me every chance they got. Over time I learned to keep quiet and ignore them, although their words would resurface when I was alone. I used to have nightmares of them shouting names at me; I shuddered; I hoped I never experience that again. This “new friend” worried me, but if Ky trusted him, would it be worth it for me to trust him too?

XXX