FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 8

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Slowly he started to come around, only to groan. He slept so well he hardly cared what time it was, he didn't want to open his eyes. He turned his head, trying to fall back into the comfortable darkness behind his eyelids. Unable to stop it, he sneezed as something tickled his nose, making his eyes snap open when the sensation had passed. Looking down beside him, he could see the red fur on top of her head as she rested it on his outstretched arm; it must have been the cause for his sneeze. Following the curve of her body he saw she was curled up on her self, almost hugging her knees, snuggling close to her paws.

As he smiled down at her sleeping form, a slight shiver ran down her arms under his grey shirt, still hanging loose around her. Grabbing the sheet with his free paw, he pulled them up and over her form, causing it to lift up between them. Feeling his body heat, she immediately moved toward it, hugging up against him. He held out his paws, as not to touch her, and held his breath as she moved, unsure what she was doing. As she settled, her head resting on his chest, he could feel her throat vibrating in a silent murr, the thumping of his heart singing a lullaby in her ear.

The uneasiness slowly fading as he found that he liked the warmth of her breath as it bounced off his chest, how her paw twitched against his side. Her longer, softer fur was almost like feathers tickling him, but it was something he seemed to have gotten use to in the night. On an impulse, he reached his other paw over and traced the small streaks of black fur down the back of her head, placing a soft kiss just after his fingers.

Suddenly she swelled beneath him, pulling in a long breath as she started to roll. Pulling his paw and muzzle back, he watched at she stretched and yawned, her eyes still filled with sleep as she looked around and found his face. She blinked a few times, though the sleep hardly lifted, before she lay back down and nuzzled back into his chest.

He chuckled softly. "Don't want to get up yet?" With a bust of energy that did not match her features, she violently shook her head and buried it as far under his back as she could, while still being able to breathe. He started at the coldness of her nose, but only laughed more as a result. "Me neither." It seemed the sudden burst didn't dissipate as she rolled to her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows, cupping her jaw-line whiles staring at him, all the sleep almost immediately gone from her eyes.

He stared at her for a long moment, watching her tail wag and swat at the sheet till it only rested over her back, her legs completely uncovered. Almost reactionary, when the sheets were gone, her feet-paws went up and started swaying back and forth. She looked so innocent, and almost as giddy as a child. Suddenly he found that she was staring at him, her head cocked a little to the side, and she was smiling.

He eyed her in joking suspicion for a long moment. "What?" Her smile only grew brighter till she leaned forward and licked his nose. "Hey!" He tried to lurch after her, but his arms wrapped around nothing and he had to grab the edge of the bed it a tight grip to keep from going over it. He looked up and she was already on a crouch on the floor. Blinking for a moment, marveling at how fast she was, he smiled devilishly before throwing the sheets off of him and jumping out of the bed.

The pale green in her eyes narrowed as a smile, both wicked and playful, crossed her muzzle. His own eyes shown, as well as his k-nines in his own wicked smile. But he had hardly taken half a step when she turned and was at the door, smiling still as she disappeared from sight. Following fast enough she couldn't close the door, he threw it open and saw her tail disappearing through the kitchen doorway. He smiled, crossing to it, knowing there was no other way out of the room as he filled the door frame.

His eyes were wide for a moment when he saw nothing out of place. Trying to slow his own breathing, he couldn't hear anything either, but he knew she had to be in there. As softly as he could, he started around the dark oak island, still not hearing a sound. Reaching the far corner he jumped around, but it was empty. Just as he lifted his head he saw her jump up and dash for the door. Right on her heals, he grabbed her not more than two steps into the living room, tumbling to the ground.

They snapped playfully at each other, wrestling for a few minutes, before suddenly she was sitting across his bare stomach, her wagging tail rubbing against the top of his blue silk pants, and holding his wrists to the carpet. He blinked up at her in surprise as she looked down at him triumphantly.

Her breath was heavy, but still silent, as both their chest rose and fell. Slowly their smiles faded, staring at each other with new expressions that neither could truly read. Feeling and smelling her breath bouncing off his face, his eyes fell to her lips, not noticing her own following to his. As she bent down toward his muzzle, he lifted his paw, hers still wrapped around his wrist, but giving no resistance. His eyes traveled around her features as the paw came up to rest on her cheek, a swelling in his heart that he couldn't describe catching his breath as she drew closer.

Only and inch between them, and suddenly Jared's stomach growled out loudly. Both of their eyes were wide in surprise, before Sunn smiled again, rise from him and offering him a paw. As his stomach was suddenly very cold, he looked at her for a long moment, shivering before he reached up and grabbed her arm as she helped hoist him to his feet. He held the eye contact till she turned and headed back toward the kitchen. As he followed, the picture she had drawn of him caught his eye. His heart swelled again and he paused, seeing the intensity in his eyes, and a shine he had never seen before. Funny he hadn't noticed it when he first looked at the drawing. He shook his head and continued into the kitchen.

Sunn was already in the cupboards, getting plates and silverware. When she reached higher, he couldn't help but notice that way his shirt snuck up around her hips and the way her tail furrowing with the effort of being on her tip toes, he had a clear view of the back of her black lace underwear. He gulped and immediately turned to the fridge, trying to find something to make for breakfast.

It seemed weird to him, the reactions he was having. They were so out of place for the way he usually was around women. His stomach hardly ever fluttered before, and he was rarely so unsure of himself...till she smiled at him. He remembered how she looked, glowing in the sun. His heart swelled again and he sighed, no idea what it could mean.

A paw touched his arm and he jumped, breathing out slowly when he met Sunn's apologetic stare. Looking past him, into the fridge, her eyes light up. Reaching around him she pulled out a box of frozen, breaded mozzarella sticks. She looked at the box in wonder before her pleading eyes met his. He chuckled as he took the box from her and closed the fridge door. Giddy as a child!'

Turning on the oven and punching in the temperature on the box, he went into the drawer beneath the oven to get out a cooking sheet. As he placed it on the counter she opened the box and started to arrange them, though she stopped at only half the package. Chuckling again, he took the box and emptied the rest onto the try. Her eyes lit up happily.

When the oven beeped and the try was in the oven, they both headed out to the living to sit out the couch. Grabbing the remote, Jared turned on the TV as he sat down, but was suddenly surprised when she sat down next to him and scooted close to his arm. It felt a little awkward, so he lifted his arm and put it along the back edge of the couch; she snuggled closer to his side. Suddenly he realized that it was a total chick-flick maneuver, but looking at the situation, neither seemed to mind in the least.

After a while she shifted and then rose from the couch, heading back toward the kitchen. Confused, he got up and followed her. When he passed through the doorway, she was finding an oven mitt and reaching for the handle.

"They timer hasn't gone off yet, they shouldn't be done." She opened the door and the smell of melted cheese filled the room. Sniffing it for a moment, he found that they did smell like they were done. Putting a mitt on the counter, she set the sheet down, only two of the sticks having popped. "Wow, nicely done." She smiled at him and reached for a plate and she grabbed one from the tray.

The stick fell back onto the tray, but the plate fell and shattered on the floor as she cradled her paw. "Hey, careful!" In two strides he was at her side, examining her paw, two of the pads already glowing red. Turning to the sink, he turned on the hot water. As it warmed, he crossed back to her. "You're lucking you didn't singe your fur." Walking her over to the sink he put her fingers under the water stream.

Immediately she yanked it back; he could feel her whimper even if it was inaudible. "I'm sorry. Hot water is better for it than ice. It helps it heal faster." He took her paw again and slowly brought it back to the water stream. She flinched again and he turned down the temperature slightly.

After near a minute he finally pulled her paw back and looked it over. "Looks like it'll be just fine." He looked up at her face and could just make out a tear sitting in the corner of her eye, but her jaw was set and stubborn. Remembering the paper cut he had gotten, he looked back to her fingers, sneaking his tongue out of his maw and ran it over the now dull red marks. There was a sharp intake of breath, but when he looked at her a small smile crept across her maw. When her eyes opened again and saw his smile, she blushed and turned away, still holding her paw in the other.

Suddenly she gasped and dropped to the floor, picking up the peaces of broken plate. "Oh, don't worry about that." She didn't stop. "Hey," he dropped to her side and held her paws carefully. "Don't worry, it's no big deal, I'll get it. I don't want you hurting your fingers any more." Her ears lay back on her head as she stood and backed out of his way. He cleaned up the broken peaces and dropped them into the trash before turning to the tray, already starting to cool. Grabbing the other plate, he piled them all onto it and looked back to her.

She was standing as far into the corner as she could get herself, ears flat to her head and tail tucked down to the back of her knees. "Hey," he set down the plate and crossed to her, "I said it was ok. There's nothing to worry about, it's just a plate." Her teary eyes met his, unsure. "I mean it, there is no need to be sorry." He cupped her face and, on impulse, brought his lips to hers. She blinked for a moment before she returned the timid kiss, her paws falling to his sides. He had surprised himself, but the way her paws ever so slightly pulled him closer to her made that flutter feeling return to his stomach.

His tongue never brushed her lips, he never pressed on her, but it was almost like they were floating when they parted and opened their eyes. She smiled meekly and, after a moment, he smiled back before turning back to the full plate on the counter. Heading back into the living room, Jared picked another movie and put it in as they sat down to eat. She cuddled up next to him again as she munched on one of the sticks.

The day was spent mostly in front of the TV, watching movies or ignoring the bad shows the networks broadcast while Jared talked more about his work and how much he enjoyed it. He found that when he talked softly she liked to lay her head against his chest, listening to the rumbling of his voice. Especially when he leaned his head down on top of hers, he could feel the vibration in her throat as she murred silently.

It must have been a few hours past noon when the phone rang. Crossing the room and picking it up, he absently fingered Sunn's drawing again. "Hello?... Oh, hey Jack!... No, we haven't eaten yet, and I can give you a few bucks if you want... Sure, just pick it up and bring it over?... Ok, sounds great... Sure, see you in about twenty minutes?...Alright, later." Hanging up the phone he looked at her over his shoulder. "Jack and Kate will be over with Chinese in a little bit."

She gave a hesitant smile as he turned and headed into the kitchen to grab plates and glasses. Bringing them out to the table, he glanced over at her as he started to spread out the placing. Her paws were in her lap, twisting slightly, and she glanced around the room, though never in his direction. He could already recognize this as her nervous behavior, though she hadn't done it in this way since they had first kissed.

"What's wrong?" She glanced at him, watching her as he set the table. Dropping her eyes, her paws twisted more, but even in the limited light her blush was obvious. Finishing and turning toward her, he cocked his head to the side. "What are you nervous about?" He could see her blush deepen, she had been caught. Crossing to her, he sat beside her, trying to get her to look at him. Risking a glance, she saw his eyes were worried. Her heart thumped steadily, but her stomach was still knotting its self. In her eyes he could see both worry and a little bit of fear.

"Is it Kate?" Her ears dropped back a little, turning as red as her face. He held back a laugh, though it was still evident in his voice. "Don't worry about her. She's nice enough, if not more blunt that anyone I've ever met. But that's part of her charm. She'll like you, and... I think you'll like her." She met his gaze again and saw the sincerity. Her blush faded a little, but her paws still twisted slightly.

Staring at her for a long moment, he felt a strong urge. It confused him, but he decided to trust it, since it had helped him so far. Leaning closer to her, he closed his eyes and licked her cheek. His chest swelled again, and he let out a slow breath, leaning his head against hers.

She blinked at the little kiss, catching her by surprise. There seemed to be a whole other side to him that she hadn't noticed yet, slowly creeping up on her. She nuzzled against his head for a moment before she pushed against him, enough for him to lift his head. Turning her muzzle, she caught him by surprise, kissing him softly. She felt his throat vibrate as he murred quietly and she sighed happily. But the longer they kissed, the more a feeling rose with in her. She had felt it with him before, but it was still strange to her. Her courage rising, she slowly bushed her tongue past her own lips and brushed them against his.

He gasped slightly, his own lips parting on instinct as she turned her head, deepening the kiss. Immediately his paws went to her shoulders, holding her closer to him. Letting one of his paws slip down her arm, he barely brushed against her breast. He hesitated for a moment, unsure what she wanted. She made no move to stop him, but it almost felt wrong. The thought confused him, since most of the women he had been around seemed only to be interested in what he had in his pants.

Twisting his wrist, he moved his paw around her arm and braced her back, pulling her closer toward him. As he did, she rose her hand to hold his cheek. He almost thought he could feel her smiling as she kissed him stronger. Even though he didn't know how to go about this, he felt more relaxed as he leaned into her. Maybe a little too relaxed as they slowly fell backwords onto the couch. He opened his eyes, unsure if he went too far as he lay on top of her slender figure, but her eyes never opened and she never stopped kissing him.

To his surprise, her other paw wrapped around his back and pulled him closer to her, almost like she was hugging him. Closing his eyes, he took his paw around her arm, so he was beneath it, and reached up behind her to hold her shoulder, feeling like he was hugging her in return. He never remembered feeling so close to anyone before. Like holding her was more powerful that being inside her; they were both content.

After several long minutes she pulled her muzzle back, licking him once or twice more before she opened her eyes and stared at him, shining in a warming smile. He stared at her in wonder, unsure what was happening to him. Still in confusion, he laid his head down on her chest and, for the first time, he listened to her heart beat. There was a swelling once again, and a smile that he couldn't control as he felt it thumping against his ear. It seemed too corny to be real. Was he actually falling in love with her?

Buzz "Hey guys, let us in." He groaned and nuzzles his nose up under her chin; he could feel her smiling as she nuzzled back, neither wanting to move.

There was a few moments pause before... Buzzzzz "Stop messing around up there and hit the button!" He lifted his head and glared at the female voice coming from the buzz pad next to the door. Looking back down he met Sunn's wide surprised eyes.

"Told you she was blunt." He smile and pushed off of the couch and crossed over to the door, hitting the button. "Yeah, yeah, come on in." Buzz! As she sat up from on the couch she looked over at him, shaking his head with a smile on his lips. She couldn't keep her paws from fidgeting again. It may only have been a few days, but she really wanted his friends to like her. She shook her head at herself, knowing it was too soon to even be thinking like that... but they had sex. She still wasn't sure if it meant anything to him, or if he knew it mean something to her.

Her breath caught in her throat as she heard two sets of footpads hitting the top floor. Eyes locking on the door just as they knocked, she watched Jared turn the knob and open the door.

"Common in Jack. Hey Kate! How are you doing?"

A very slender Tiger with bright orange fur and beautiful black strips suddenly jumped through the door way and wrapped her arms around Jared's neck. Sunn felt a twinge of jealousy, but held it back as completely ridiculous. She was about to reprimand herself when she heard a gasp. Looking back up, her eyes locked on with the bright golden brown, set in the bright white patches of fur cause in the maze of orange and brown covering her face, as the Tiger had spotted her.

She pushed Jared aside and scowled at Jack as she passed him. "You didn't tell me she was gorgeous," locking eyes with the frightened looking Wolf frozen to the couch, she smiled. "I'm totally jealous! Hi, I'm Kate, you must be Sunn!" Sunn blinked a couple of times before she stood and smiled, taking the Tiger's paw and shaking it firmly. "Nice grip! I like that. We are going to be friends, I can tell!"

He silently closed the door, holding his own breath and he watched Kate pull the very shocked Sunn into a full hug. He and Jack exchanged glances, both a little worried. But as the Tiger let her go and she looked at her eyes again, she smiled. The air in the room was suddenly light as a feather.

As startling and awkward as this Tiger seemed to be, she was also filled with honesty. So much it only took Sunn a glance to see it pouring out of her eyes. She seemed to give the whole room a slight buzz of energy and always seemed to be smiling. The black strips almost seemed to resemble her energy, like bolts of lighting stretching through her orange and into her white front fur, and they covered her from head to tale, lining her arms and legs under her short sleeved brown shirt and light denim short-short. She was all around beautiful.

Leaving the girls to talk, Jack and Jared took up their own conversation as they headed to the table to set out the food. Kate sat down on the couch and patted a seat next to her for Sunn. "So, how are things here? Is it nice living with a stud like Jared for a few days?" Sunn smiled and nodded, but her smile suddenly faded and as she clasped her paws together in her lap. How much longer would she be staying? "Oh, hunny, I know that face. Don't worry, from what Jack has told me, Jared won't let a beautiful think like you go!" She tried to force a smile and nodded, her head low to try and hide her own doubt.

There was a pause in which Kate could tell she was uncomfortable. "So, I here you are quite the drawer. You definitely have the air of an artist, so creative. Especially since you can't talk." The guys talk softened as they caught the conversation. Both glanced at Sunn for a reaction. Her eyes left her paws and, before they even found Kate's, she was smiling. "Oh, I understand, sweetie. You have to be able to express yourself. And hey, if you can make a living off of it, why not." She smiled and nodded softly. "And where's this picture you did on Jared, I just have to see it!"

Pointing to the side table, Sunn stood and crossed to it, Kate close on her heals. She picked it up and handed it to over, already anxious to know what she thought. Kate's eyes shown, just like gold, as she eyes the drawing. "Excuse me, but I didn't know you were that good! Jared, this shouldn't be left like this, it need a frame, mounted on a wall like the piece of art it is! Did he compensate you for this? If he didn't, while I'll..."

All eyes were on her, waiting to see what she said. Jared almost felt sweat between his shoulder blade. They had never even discussed compensation. He felt like a jackass, and he knew he'd feel worse after Kate laid into him. Of course he needs to pay her. He only wished she would look at him, so he could try to say something.

Her eyes never left the drawing as she nodded, smiling to herself. She never could have asked for compensation for it, she only wished she had another copy to take home with her. She felt another twinge, but brushed it aside, refusing to think of going home again until later. As the girls joined the guys at the table, she caught Jared eyes. He looked at her with wonder and confusion; she had not even looked at him before giving her answer. But what did she mean by it? She had never tried to ask and he didn't think... well sleeping with her would not have counted for compensation would it? She smiled at him and turned away, blushing slightly. No. She's not that kind of girl.' Thoughts plagued him as he started opening the takeout trays and passing them around the table.

The dinner seemed to fly by, but they sat at the table for almost two hours just talking, sharing stories and telling jokes. Sunn laughed and smiled with the rest of them, but still felt a little on the outside of the conversation. Suddenly Kate sighed and all eyes were on her. "I don't know about you boys, but I really wish I could know more about Sunn."

The statement seemed to catch them both off guard, but Sunn only smiled, blushing a little at the attention. Jared suddenly felt as if he'd been punched in the gut. Never had he even asked her about her life. "So, shall we all guess what she likes to do? If you don't mind, of course." Her blush deepened, but she shook her head timidly, not use to the attention.

Jack thought allowed for a moment. "Well, we already know she draws. Do you do any other kind of art stuff?"

Kate laughed and pushed his shoulder. "Art stuff?" They both laughed and turned back to her. When she nodded, they both thought for long moments. "Painting?"

"No, she doesn't paint." Jared was happy to know that much at least.

"Oh, ok... how about... sculpting?" Sunn tore her eyes away from Jared's downcast stair to meet their eyes. She raised her paw signaling sort of'.

"Oh! Wood carving!" Jack seemed overly excited and even more so when she smiled broadly and nodded. Though her smile seemed to dull when Jared never look away from his empty plate. "Any other kinds of art?" Turning back she shrugged and shook her head.

"Oh! What about sports? Do you like bowling?" She nodded. "What about swimming?" She smiled, nodding again. "Any of those ridiculous ball' games these guys like to watch?" She made a face and signaled sort of' again.

"What about ice skating or roller skating?" All she could do was shrug. Jack's eyes widened. "You've never does either?!?" Turning a little red, she shook her head. "Well Jared, we'll have to take her with us! Jared?"

Suddenly he was standing and grabbing the plates from the table. He paused for a moment, tempted to look at her, but unsure what he would see, he turned away and headed to the kitchen.

"Just give me a second." Jack jumped up and ran after him.

Sunn felt as though her heart was being twisted. Sinking back in her chair, she stared at the empty place in front of her. "He never asked did he?" Her eyes snapped up to the Tiger, staring intently at her; she had almost forgotten that she was there. Lowering her gaze back to her empty place she shook her head. "He must feel like a real ass right about now. But it's not surprising really." Looking back up to meet her eyes, she didn't even need to try and get the question across. "When you are so comfortable being with someone, that you don't need to talk. Well, it really means more than talking. It only matters that he knows about all your likes and dislikes if you want him to know. Personally I think half the fun would be in finding out together. That's what Jack and I did." Sunn thought about it for a few moments before she smiled and nodded slowly in agreement.

"Oh please, like I didn't just make a complete fool of myself in there."

"Only when you got up and stormed out!"

"I wasn't storming! I just..." He slammed the door to the dishwasher closed and braced his paws on the counter. "I never even tried, Jack. How could she not think I was a total ass. She could have been sitting there wanting to scream at me and I never would have known."

"Oh, please. Kate wasn't like that."

"She's not Kate. She's practically the opposite of Kate, and I don't even know if it was because it was forced upon her when she was hurt or if she's always been this shy and timid around people."

"Actually they're a lot a like. They are both honest, love to smile, and have a very unique way of expressing themselves." Jared shook his head. "You said you talked a lot, right? About yourself and, for some reason, about me."

"Yeah, so?"

"Would she have reacted the way you said she did, if she wasn't happy just listening to you?"

There was a strong silence as Jared thought about it. Letting out and aggravated sigh and rolling his eyes, he turned around and leaned against the counter. "I don't know. Everything she does is just so... I can't tell what her motive is, what she wants from me. I mean, what does she expect me to do?"

Jack thought for a moment. "You didn't compensate her for the drawing did you?" Jared looked at him for a moment, shocked, before he turned away and shook his head. "I don't think she wants anything. At least, nothing she'll ask for. I'll bet that she doesn't want to inconvenience you by asking for anything at all. I mean, she shut Kate up without even s second thought to it."

Groaning for a second, Jared covered his face with his paw. "I have no idea what I'm doing here. I'm way out of my depth."

Jack clapped a paw on Jared's shoulder. "Then you have to learn to tread water, man."

His whole face read oh please'. "Way to corny, man."

"You deserved it for being way too clich"

"Hey! Are you guys making deserts in there or do we have to come in and find them?"

Shaking his head, Jack went over and stuck his head out the doorframe. "How does raspberry chocolate-chunk ice cream sound, I know Jared's always got some!" Both the girls smiled and nodded in unison. "Coming right up, just sit tight."

Both giggled as he disappeared, turning back to each other and smiling. It wasn't long before both of them reappeared with bowls and spoons in paw. Jared met her eyes for moment as he set a bowl in front of her. She smiled and nodded a thank you and he looked away, blushing as he sat down. They all started laughing and talking again as they ate their ice cream.

It wasn't very long before Sunn put down her spoon and held her forehead, her features scrunching funny. "Are you alright?" Jared reached over and touched her arm. Opening one eye, she tried to nod, but closed it quickly. Suddenly Kate was laughing. When he glared at her she only laughed harder.

"It's a brain freeze, Jared! She ate her ice cream too fast." Sunn opened one eyes to playfully glare at her, which set her about laughing all over again.

"Here, come here." Jared leaned closer to her and put a paw on each of her temples and started to rub softly. Slowly her paw's grip loosened and fell back into her lap; the laughter slowly died off too. Glancing over at the two orange colored felines, he saw they had their heads together, talking quietly. When Jack noticed he was looking, he turned and looked out the window.

"Wow, it's getting kind of dark, we should probably be getting back home."

"It was nice meeting you, Sunn. We better hang out again soon. Maybe just the two of us some time!" Her head freed from Jared's paws, she smiled and nodded, blushing slightly at the suddenness of their departure. Walking around the table, Sunn stood as Kate held out her arms. Hugging her close, she managed to whisper in her ear "have a good night." Pulling back, she winked at her, before turning and walking with Jared and Jack to the door.

Opening it and letting them out, Jared was about to close it behind them when Kate suddenly pointed a finger at him. "You better treat her nice!" He blinked at her for a moment as she smiled and winked, turning back to the stairs and linking her arm in Jacks. He sighed and waved before he closed the door. Shaking his head, he turned around to see Sunn clearing the table. He shook his head as he went and stood in his doorway, watching her rinse them and load them into the washer. Turning around, she smiled at him, no hint of anger or accusations, not even a hint that she thought he was an ass.

They seemed to stare for a long while before he glanced out the window over her shoulder. "Wow, it is getting pretty late." She glanced over as well before she looked back. It looked as if a thought crossed her face, but it was gone in a second. "Should we head to bed?" After a long moment, she smiled and nodded softly. Leaving the kitchen he crossed to the bedroom door and held it opened for her. She had stopped halfway between the doors and was watching him curiously. Suddenly he felt a little awkward. "Um... You are more than welcome to stay with me again tonight. It would probably be more comfortable than the couch." Watching him fidgeting for a moment, she smiled a little and walked past him into the bedroom.