Chapter Six — Michael.

I can't sleep.

My body's used to it and I've always slept a couple of hours to get me functioning properly in the morning. Well, I can't deny that the cause of this isn't the sleeping angel with his head on my chest.

A smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I scroll through the messages he sent me yesterday evening. Simon got home before us and I could tell from the way he looks at me that he was not so trusty. I keep my distance from James throughout dinner and went out when Mariah and Chris came home. I went into my room and started doing push-ups.

The first message came around ten.

James: What are you up to? Won't you sleep?

Me: I'm doing push-ups.

James: You didn't talk to me again.

Me: We don't have to talk physically.

James: I know. But still, I love hearing your voice.

Me: Fine. Whatever you say, James.

James: Ugh, can't you refuse me for once?

Me: I'm meant to obey you.

James: Ever heard of bending the rules?

Me: I don't intend to do that.

James: Alright Grandpa! You're no fun.

I smile at his words, conjuring up an image of his facial expression.

I start doing jumping jacks next. Honing my body has always been a routine I look forward to most days. I do press-ups if I can't think and need a distraction, jumping jacks when I'm aroused, and push-ups when I'm trying to figure out something. The room I stay in has a wide space for working out, with floor-to-ceiling windows taking up the length of the room and walls. I'm presented with a view of the garden where there's a fountain at the center. Moonlight streams in quietly and I'm illuminated, heaving and sweating all over.

I should stop but I keep pushing myself, willing the image of his silly facial expression to leave my mind. I groan, gritting my teeth as hot liquid travel down my spine, my eyes focusing on the trees outside.

As I'm about to grab a towel, I catch a glimpse of something golden. I wait a moment, watching the pine trees rustle followed by a shadow. It may have been a cat or bunny but the golden color isn't familiar with any of these two animals.

I press my nose to the window, and as if on cue the shadow appears right behind him. He's pirouetting in the garden, his feet stretched out behind him to touch his head as he glides through the air, his golden hair cascading behind his ears. He looks ethereal in the moonlight, a flawless ballerina. He's wearing a black top and blue colored shorts. I can see his creamy toes as they tickle the group upon his descent. Suddenly an image of me kissing those legs clouds my eyes, an urge so powerfully driving me out of my senses. I've never wanted something so angelic before and I wouldn't want to hurt such a delicate creature but my desire threatens to ruin my resolve.

“Kravviy,” I barely whisper.

He stops and turns his head sharply as though he heard. His green eyes search for me in the darkness.

He turns away from me again to continue with what he's doing.

My chest aches at this. I need him to see me. I long to watch him smile at me while I fall on my knees and beg him to keep smiling for all eternity. He's got me under a spell. One that promises doom for both of us.

Grabbing a T-shirt, I make my way outside, the soft wet grass tickling my toes. I didn't bother putting on shoes because I'm nervous he's gonna disappear. I'm afraid that once I lift my eyes away from her, he'll be gone.

He squeals at me in panic when I walk up behind him. “You shouldn't be out here James,” 

He's got a palm on his bosom. “What are you doing here?”

Those words hurt. “I have to protect you,”

“I don't need a babysitter and what I meant is how are you here? You're so sweaty,”

His eyes trail down my bare arm muscles as I intuitively flex them. I want to be the only one he thinks of when he sees me.

A blush splatters itself on his cheeks as he lifts his eyes to meet mine.

I go down on my butt, folding my legs before me. We're so close that if someone watches us from afar they'd think we're cuddling. “Your parents made it necessary for me to stay in the guest house, maybe till you leave for college,”

He nods in understanding and stares at something overhead. An attempt to not look at me.

“You're supposed to be sleeping Kravviy,”

“I find it hard to sleep at times, mostly because I've got a lot on my mind,” he shrugs. “The pills I took no longer affect me,”

“I don't sleep much either,” I run my fingers through the damp grass. “I was doing jumping jacks when I saw you,”

He scoots closer to me, resting his head on my shoulder. I wince at this, my cock hardening.

“You're no fun,” he says playfully, his smile bright even in the darkness surrounding us. I'd do anything to get him to keep smiling like that every day. “I know I can be very naughty and demanding. But you should know when to refuse me.”

“What if I don't want to?” I barely whisper, my body quivering at his touch.

“Then we're both doomed,” he laughs. “I hate feeling that I'm ordering you around,”

“No, you're not. Go back in James, it's not safe out here,”

“This is my house. No one's gonna come beat me for staying out so late,”

I can't tell him I'm the one he should run from. He's pulling me in, the charged air around us raging, my need rising. The only way to stop all this is by putting an end to the smile he gives me. I don't want to hurt him, but that's the only way for us both out of this mess.

“A man fears nothing but there are times when he must retire to save himself. This night isn't safe. Not everyone survives it and as your bodyguard, I must see to it that you're in bed by ten. It's a little before midnight now and I'm ordering you to go back in now,” I say firmly, standing up and taking a step away from him.

Disappointed flashes across his eyes and at that moment I wish I could take it all back but before I can say anything, he rises too, silently turns, and begin to walk back into the house. At the entrance stoop, he looks back at me over his shoulder. “You're no fun,”

And the vibrant light in his eyes dies.

As I walk away from the garden and into the guest apartment, all I can think about is the bright eyes that had been on his face a while ago. A silent hope washes over me as I wish I could undo what I just did.