This is the best sleep I have had in a while.

She didn't know if it was the warm sun peeking through the curtains, the comfy mattress, or the arms hugging her into a tight embrace.

Suddenly, Karmin was well aware of her head resting on Maddox's chest with basically half of her body on top of his. The last thing she could remember was him reading to her and kissing. Lots and lots of kissing. She must have nodded off as they read.

Karmin smiled to herself as Maddox breathed gently. She nestled into his neck, a feeling of content and safety washing over her. A soft blanket hugged the two of them as she traced random patterns on his chest. All of her worries vanished, and her mind felt clear. It didn't matter that the big plan was going down tonight. Her second guesses, her doubts were nothing but background music.

The moment was perfect.

"You snore in your sleep," grumbled Maddox in his raspy, morning voice.

He sure knew how to woo a girl.

Karmin lifted herself up with her elbows, her hair falling down to one side as she glared at him. "I do not," she rejected.

"Yeah, you do," he hummed, one hand gripping her waist firmly and the other slipping her hair behind her ear. "Like an elephant."

Her mouth was left agape, his eyes twinkling in amusement and a small smirk playing on his lips. "Go to hell," she remarked, grabbing a discarded pillow and attempting to smother him with it.

Maddox laughed deeply, grasping her wrists as she put her weight into the attack. "I was joking," he exclaimed as he flipped them over, so he was hovering over her.

She huffed frustratedly. "Well, jokes on you. Elephants don't snore," she said sassily.

"Wait, really?" Maddox asked shockingly.

"I actually have no clue," she chuckled, her hands weaving into his messy hair.

"Now, I'm curious. I should look that up," he muttered to himself.

"But, since we're on the topic of bad bed mannerisms, you're a blanket stealer," Karmin accused.

"Oh yeah?" drawled Maddox with a raised brow. "You were on my side of the bed the entire night."

"Maybe because you kept stealing the blankets," she exclaimed, flicking his forehead.

"Maybe I wanted an excuse for you to be closer," he whispered, his green eyes trailing every inch of her face.

Her heart fluttered, and if her face could turn red, it would have. No boy, no one, has ever affected her this easily with a few simple words. Reading all those books must have paid off. Not to mention, in the beginning, he would stiffen under his touch. Now, here they were lounging in his bed.

"Is that what you do when you and Rhys have a sleepover?" she teased with a smile.

"I wouldn't have to steal the blankets for Rhys to invade my side. He's a big cuddler," replied Maddox with a grin.

"That's one thing we have in common," mused Karmin.

"Well, then you're welcome on my side of the bed anytime," he smiled.

"I'll be taking you up this offer."

"For fifteen dollars, of course," added Maddox.

"The price went up?" she exclaimed.

"What can I say? I need to make money somehow now that I don't fight anymore," he remarked with a small tilt to his lips.

"Can I apply the girlfriend discount?" she asked quietly, her words losing their confidence.

Maddox's eyes widened at the question but quickly nodded. "Y-yeah, that discount works. I like that discount," he stuttered, his lips quirking into a ghost of a smile.

"Good," she whispered, pulling him down by his shirt for his lips to meet hers, but they froze in their position when they heard something outside his door. Like footsteps climbing up the stairs.

"You need to hide," hissed Maddox, rolling off of her and pulling her up swiftly. "They can't find you here."

Karmin frantically shook her head, her heart beating rapidly. His family could not see her in his room. It would give off the wrong impression, and it would lead to some awkward conversations.

And as you can tell, I am terrible in awkward situations.

Maddox ushered her into his closet, shutting it just in time for the door to open. Her breath halted as she hid in the dark, his clothes surrounding her.

"I've been yelling at you to come down for the last five minutes," scolded grandma Amy. "It's time for breakfast."

"Sorry, I didn't hear you. I was busy... doing something," he faltered hesitantly.

"You have to take Frodo for his walk too," she said as an agreeing bark came from their dog. "Now, let's go eat."

"I'll be down in a second," Maddox said.

"You better, or I'll get Frodo to drag your ass down," threatened grandma Amy. "Frodo, where are you going? Come on."

"Frodo, stop!" called out Maddox.

The scampering of his paws became louder and louder as he got closer to the closet. She began to break down into a nervous sweat when Frodo scratched the sliding doors.

"What are you hiding in there?" demanded his grandma as she poked him with her cane.

"Nothing," he exclaimed, gulping nervously. "It's probably some leftover food I threw in there while cleaning."

"Please, you would never do that," Grandma Amy said, narrowing her eyes on him. "Frodo, open the door."

"No, no, no," she whispered to herself as she tried to keep a firm hand on the door, but nonetheless, it slid open, revealing an embarrassed Karmin.

Grandma Amy glanced at her in surprise as she waved nervously. "Good morning," Karmin said meekly.

"I can explain," Maddox chimed in, his eyes flickering between the two of them.

Grandma Amy looked her up a down, an expressionless look on her face. She showed no sign if she was angry. She twirled the cane in her fingers and brought it down to the floor with a large thud.

"I'll set up an extra plate," she sighed, waving dismissively.

Karmin let out a shaky breath, her entire body burning from embarrassment. She felt relieved as Amy turned to leave, calling out for Frodo.

As Frodo happily followed with his wagging tail, Maddox hissed, "Traitor."

"That was so embarrassing," Karmin mumbled.

"Mom's gonna kill me," he muttered as he covered his face with his hands.

At the mention of his Mom, she was instantly reminded of the fact her parents didn't know where she was. She had snuck out after all.

I am so screwed.

***

She had spent the last ten minutes getting yelled at by her Mom as she tried to convince her she had left the house early instead. She wasn't sure if she bought it. I guess I would find out when I go home.

Now, she was sitting around the breakfast table, stiffly chewing on her food as the twin grandma's and the Knight sisters gawked at her.

Maddox was situated beside her, doing everything in his ability to avoid eye contact. He reached for her hand under the table, but she swatted it away. She didn't need to incriminate herself further.

"Nothing happened," blurted out Karmin, the tension killing her. "We were just reading. That's it."

"Is 'reading' a new slang term?" questioned Amalia, glancing at Logan and Sabina. She looked so much more intimidating in her two-piece suit.

"We were literally reading," muttered Maddox with a shake of his head.

"Yeah, reading each other," chuckled Sabina with a playful wink.

"Good one, Sabs," laughed Logan as she fixed her paint-splattered cap.

"Shut the hell up," grumbled Maddox as he moved his food across the plate.

"Aw, is Maddy getting embarrassed?" teased Logan with a baby voice.

"Wait until Mom hears about this," sang Sabina. "She's going to go ballistic, and she already pissed off at you. I don't know what for, though."

"Guys, don't tell her," pleaded Maddox. "She already doesn't like Karmin."

"Wait, what? She doesn't like me?" she whispered to him sadly. Karmin had a thing for making good impressions. Everyone liked her.

"She thinks you're responsible for you-know-what," he said quietly.

"Oh." I mean, she wasn't wrong.

"Why doesn't she like Karmin? She's so likeable," Logan said confusedly.

"Aw, thanks Logan," she smiled.

"Don't worry about it. Mom will get over it," assured Amalia as she took a bite of her breakfast.

"I want Karmin to stay," sighed Sabina. "I guess we won't tell Mom about your scandalous affair last night."

Maddox threw a ball-up napkin her way, only for her to dodge it. Sabina laughed loudly, sticking out her middle finger.

"Hey, no throwing food," reprimanded Grandma El.

"It was a napkin, you blind bat," retorted her sister.

"Leave me alone, you wrinkly prune," seethed El.

"Grandma's stop fighting, or I'm not driving you to your book club meeting," shouted Amalia.

Karmin sank deeper into her chair, glad that the attention was off her.

"So, what did you two read last night?" wondered Sabina with a dangerous glint in her eyes that stood out against her dark makeup. "Fifty Shades of Grey?"

I spoke too soon.

***

Author's Note:

Hi everyone!

This chapter was a lot more chill compared to what is going to come! I wanted to show a bit more of the Knight sisters and their chaotic family! I hope you enjoyed it!

So, we are almost done Beautifully Lethal and I am super excited to complete my second book! I'll start updating Oh My Genie the moment this book is done

Until next time – m.k.t