Page 142 of Best Served Cold

He looked at me sharply.

“With you. While you rest. Or I can go,” I added quickly, giving him an out if I was being too pushy.

He slowly lowered the shake and asked softly, “You want to stay with me?”

“Yeah.”

He smiled shyly. “Okay.”

I waited as he set the tumbler on the bedside table, along with his phone, and lay down.

He looked good in my bed. The actual bed was ridiculously small and it was going to be an insanely tight fit with both of us on it, but I liked seeing him in my room, among my things.

He looked like he belonged.

“Are you sure you can fit?” he asked as I climbed over and squeezed in behind him.

“Yup. Are you comfortable like that?”

He rolled onto his side, his back to me.

“Can I hold you?” I asked quietly.

He nodded against the pillow.

I’d never cuddled anyone except my brother, and wrapping myself around Noah’s big, strong body was a completely different experience.

He felt good in my arms. The solid heat of him comforted me as much as his proximity was turning me on. Thankfully my dick had enough chill to stay down.

“I’m sorry.” He snuggled back into me, pulling my arms tighter around him.

“Nothing to be sorry for.” I pressed my nose into the back of his neck and breathed. He smelled like me, and my hindbrain zeroed in on that. “Just focus on relaxing. Sleep if you’re tired. Talk if that’ll help. Whatever you need. You’re safe,” I whispered.

He made another of those soft whimpers and tugged me closer.

I slid one of my legs between his and kissed his warm neck.

Within a few minutes, Noah’s breathing slowed until it was steady and even, his vise-like grip not relenting, even in sleep.

Shifting closer to him, I closed my eyes and relaxed. I hadn’t thought I’d be into cuddling, but I so was.

Or at least I was when it was with Noah.

21

NOAH

The warm body at my back slowly coaxed me out of sleep.

I cracked one eye open. The room was dark, like evening had fallen.

How long was I asleep?

I didn’t remember falling asleep, but I did remember Zane holding me and telling me I was safe.

“You awake?” he whispered.

“I think so.” I cleared my throat. “What time is it?”