by him, protected by him. Minutes ticked by as she and Royce became lost in the moment. Suddenly the entire house shook as thunder rolled over them.
Becki managed to free her lips long enough to say, “Royce, you had better get going.”
“Mmmmm,” Royce absently agreed, as he lowered his lips toward hers once again.
“You may not be able to get across the bridges if you wait much longer,” she warned.
Lights flickered, and Becki pushed Royce back a step, but quickly softened the action by leaning in to kiss his cheek.
“Royce, it is going to get bad out there. You need to get moving.”
“Maybe I should stay here. What if the power goes off?” Royce suggested hopefully. Everyone knows girls are afraid of the dark.
“I’ll…light a candle?” Becki offered sarcastically.
“Who will keep the boogey man away?” Royce persevered with a smile.
Becki put her finger in the middle of his chest as she said, “Royce, the Boogey Man is a myth…along with the Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause, Werewolves, Vampires, and Witches. I’ve not come to a steadfast conclusion yet about Aliens.”
“Oh, you never know,” he said mysteriously, as he wrapped his arms around her once again. “Are you sure you’ll be ok here by yourself?”
“Yes. I’m completely exhausted,” Becki answered with a yawn. “I’ll probably sleep through most of the storm anyway.” She could always hope.
The gods were conspiring against her, because at that moment a streak of lightning flashed accompanied by deafening thunder. Becki screamed and practically climbed inside Royce’s skin.
Royce chuckled, “Sleep through it, huh?”
Becki peeled herself off Royce. “You can sleep on the couch,” she conceded gracefully.
Thanking God for small favors, he agreed. “Ok, whatever you say.” He could always hope.
#
Royce had been lying awake for hours listening to the storm. Rain was pounding against the windows; lightning flashed intermittently, the wind was blowing, and the house creaked from time to time. Becki was on the other side of the door, but at least he knew she was safe. They had closed all of the storm shutters, filled up water jugs, and located her supply of candles. Eventually, Becki had shoved a stack of blankets at him, kissed his cheek and practically run to her room alone.
Becki had tossed and turned for the last several hours. She listened to the wind howl outside and thought about how thankful she was for Royce’s insistence that he stay with her tonight-- even if he was on the couch and she was wrapped up like a cocoon, all alone in her bed.
“Stop it,” she said aloud.
Counting sheep was rumored to help combat insomnia. However, she was now at 1,197 and not one bit closer to closing her eyes than she had been two hours ago. The bedside clock said 3:30 AM. The storm was weakening and the sun would soon be popping up over the horizon, which meant Royce would soon be leaving.
Becki was still not sure where things stood with them. Sure she was attracted to him, and she knew he was attracted to her; but honestly, where did things go from here? She was not interested in a fling. She had plenty of offers for temporary company. She was not interested in a hook-up, but was afraid to hope for something more with Royce. Her heart could not stand being broken yet again.
Suddenly, a loud crash sounded just outside her window! Becki screamed!
Royce heard the noise immediately followed by Becki’s scream. His feet hit the floor at a dead run with his heart in his throat. He burst into her room without bothering to knock.
There she sat, in the middle of her bed, wearing pink frilly pajamas with her hair pulled up high on her head, and her eyes as big as silver dollars. Judging by the dark circles under her wide eyes, she had not had any better luck sleeping than he.
“That sounded close! I hate storms,” Becki said with a shiver.
Gone was the “I’ll be fine” bravo of a few hours ago, replaced by the “scared shitless wimp” she really was when faced with lightning and thunder.
Royce didn’t need an engraved invitation. He stalked straight to the bed and climbed in beside Becki. He pulled her body up against his turning her to face away from him as he scooted down into the covers lining her head up with the soft pillow. Then he whispered, “Go to sleep, sweetheart. I’ve got you. I’ll take care of everything. Just close your eyes and go to sleep.”