Morning Light
By Misha
Note- This is set sometime in Book One.
The light is just starting to creep through the windows when I open my eyes.
The mansion is completely silent except for the sounds of Mackenzie breathing next to me. One of the many reasons morning is my favorite time.
I turn on my side, watching her. There is a softness to her face in sleep that she works hard to hide during the waking hours. She is not the Tough Girl now, she has nothing to hide. It’s just the two of us, no cameras, no roles to play.
I watch her for a few moments longer and then move to get out of the bed. Even though there are no cameras in the bed rooms, we never know when a producer or another contestant will show up, so I can’t be caught in the same bed as Mackenzie. Which is why every morning, I get up at the crack of dawn and move back to my own bed.
“Mmm…” Mackenzie stirs as I try to slip out of the bed, her arms wrapping around me sleepily, “don’t go.”
“I have to,” I remind her, “and I’m not going far.” Just across the room. But it could be an ocean with how it feels. Because once I am back in my own bed, the closeness is gone and we both remember where we are and why we are here.
“I like you here,” Mackenzie pouts.
The sight makes me laugh. Mackenzie, tough, no nonsense Mackenzie is actually pouting. She frowns at my laughter, but the frown fades as I lean in and press my lips against her, meeting my kiss eagerly.
“What is that for?” She asks when we pull away, both of us smiling and a little breathless.
“Do I need a reason to kiss you?” I ask, entwining my legs with hers as we lay in the bed, my hand resting on her face.
“I hope not,” she says, leaning forward again. This is how I like her best, her walls down, a softness to her that she tries hard to hide from the cameras and the world. The side of her exists only for me and only in these moments.
The kiss deepens and hands tangle in hair, bodies press close together under the covers. I know we can’t get too carried away, that we can be interrupted at any time, but I let myself enjoy the moment.
After all, these moments, the ones we share in the early morning light, are the best part of my day, of being part of this whole experience.
