Lu Ming lay on the wooden floor with total coolness, eyes closed as if trying to convince himself he was comfortable. But Ari, watching him from the bed, knew he was lying with a skill that surpassed even his fighting.
(Ari Internally: Look at him.. pretending to be grand while sleeping on hard wood like an ancient Chinese decor piece! Does he think I'll sleep peacefully while he freezes there? To hell with his exaggerated gallantry. And this inn bed.. it's wide enough for a whole army of dinosaurs! I'll show you how annoying "The Storm" can be, Lu Ming.)
Ari slid off the bed, dragging the heavy duvet behind her, and sat right next to him. Lu Ming opened one eye, giving her a sharp look that nearly pierced her forehead.
"Ari.. the bed is there. The floor is here. Is there a word in my rules you didn't understand?" he said coldly.
(Ari Internally: My God, even lying on the floor he looks like he's on a throne! His dark eyes make me want to apologize.. or maybe push him! Get a grip, Ari; use the "coolness" weapon yourself.)
"Rule number one of my job: The master doesn't sleep in the cold while I enjoy the warmth," Ari said with feigned indifference, lying down beside him and covering herself (and half of him) with the duvet. "If you get sick, who will protect my precious life? So, shut up and sleep. I'm only here to monitor your 'temperature'."
Lu Ming's body stiffened. The distance between them allowed her to see his thick lashes clearly. He exhaled sharply but didn't pull away.
"You're playing with fire, Ari.." he whispered in a raspy tone. "The beast inside me doesn't like sharing, especially when it comes to his private space."
(Ari Internally, her heart beating like war drums: Private space? I am your private space now! Look at his arm muscles touching my shoulder.. My God, can skin be this beautiful? His scent is surrounding me from every side. Crap, did I say I'd monitor his temperature? My own temperature is the one reaching boiling point right now!)
Suddenly, in a move she didn't expect, Lu Ming pulled the edge of the duvet to cover her shoulder properly, then placed his massive arm behind her head as a "pillow" instead of the hard wood, without looking at her.
"If I transform in the middle of the night.. run without thinking. Do you understand?" he muttered.
(Ari Internally, burying her face in his shoulder 'by accident': Run? Where to? I'm staying here to watch the transformation from the front row! My God.. his arm is as solid as a rock, but it's illegally comfortable. Sleep, Lu Ming.. sleep before I decide I never want to leave this floor!)
Silence fell, but it was a "delicious" silence this time, filled with the kind of tension that makes your breath hitch.