Cot

Carson can’t help a crooked grin at Misty. It was obvious she didn’t mind being here in this room with him. Perhaps she was even enjoying it. Why, Carson didn’t know, but he couldn’t be misreading her that much.

Cocking his head, he catches her eye once again. She was trying to read him, no doubt. What would he allow her to see? What could he afford? What did he dare?

Looking at her, he suddenly realizes that not a week prior, if put in this same position with another woman, his feelings would be very different, as would be the outcome of the night. He’d always gone after what he wanted, no matter what, disregarding consequences and taking advantage of circumstances or people, whether it was his job, or simply his own desires. Tonight he was locked in a room with Misty, most likely with no one to come until morning. And yet…

Carson hooks his hands in his pockets and sighs deeply. He wasn’t sure why…he wasn’t sure what was happening to him… but for the first time, he felt differently. He was looking at Misty differently than he had others… He didn’t want to hurt her. He didn’t want to take advantage of the situation. He honestly didn’t want to…and as crazy as it seemed, that in itself was a new sensation. But he couldn’t deny it. He would not be treating Misty like he had others.

Finally moving forward, Carson goes to his cot to pick up the blanket and replace it with a different one. He tosses the first one on the floor, then moves to Misty, taking her by the hand to pull her by the cot, turn her around and set her down on it. “Better make yourself comfortable. It’s gonna be a long night.”

He moves away and eases himself down to the floor on the other blanket, settling back against the wall, and pulling his knees up closer to his chest to rest his arms on them. He keeps the light on, and lets his eyes stare into nothingness, exhausted, but too alert to sleep.