Page 46 of Riverside Reverie

“Are you tired? It’s getting close to four o’clock,” Theo said, his voice wistful like he wished that wasn’t the case.

“Yeah, I’m tired,” I replied, trying to swallow back the lump of emotion in my throat. Part of me wondered if this was him trying to politely dismiss me, so I sat up and searched for my clothes.

“What are you doing?” he asked, leaning up on his elbows.

“Well, I thought I should…go?” I replied, so far from my element I didn’t know which way was up.

“I don’t want you to go,” he grinned. “You can stay and sleep with me if you want.”

I debated, looking at how relaxed he was. I didn’t want to leave, but the mounting pressure in my bladder told me I couldn’t roll over and fall asleep with him. I had to tend to my basic needs. “Alright, I’ll be right back, I have to pee.”

Theo nodded as I tugged my sweater and pants on. He handed me a flashlight, and I disappeared to the thunderbox to take care of business before returning.

I paused at the pathway, looking between Jasmine and Theo’s tents. Was this truly a good idea? What would the others say in the morning when I stumbled out of Theo’s tent?

Did I even care what they said?

“You’re thinking pretty hard over there,” Theo’s voice was a low whisper, but I still jumped as if he’d shouted the words. I hadn’t expected him to be waiting for me near his tent.

“Having regrets?” he asked, arching a brow at me.

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head at my own ridiculousness, and walked toward him. “No, no regrets. Just wondering how bad of an idea it is to fall asleep in your arms.”

He grinned. “I think it’s a great idea, personally. But if you don’t want to, I understand.”

“I want to, but…” I let my words fade, glancing at the other tents. A symphony of snores, soft and deep, surrounded us. Everyone was still asleep, but what if they got up before us in the morning? It was like Theo could sense my train of thought.

“They might tease us a little, but they won’t judge,” he assured me, holding his hand out to me. I took it, following him back into the warmth of his tent. “Besides, I want to know what it feels like to wake up with you in my arms.”

Something about his words and the way he said it made me swoon. Theo zipped the tent up behind us while I got comfortable on his mattress. The temperature had dropped considerably, so I didn’t want to take off my pants, but the sweater was too bulky for me to sleep comfortably in. I took it off, my top half naked.

“God damn,” Theo murmured, taking in the sight of my breasts and adjusting himself. “You’re too irresistible, Lux. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to keep my hands off you for the rest of this trip.”

“So don’t,” I challenged, peering up at him.

15

A REASON

Theo

I slept better than I had in years, with Lux tucked into my arms, her soft breath fanning across my chest. The sun had fully risen before I opened my eyes to the sounds of the day. People were up and moving around, talking amongst themselves down at the beach.

I could smell coffee and food being prepped, but I still didn’t want to move. Not when Lux was still sleeping peacefully in my arms, her warm breasts pressed against my side.

I could lay like this with her forever and be content to do just that, raging morning wood and all. But Lux started stirring too, stretching beside me, her fingers splaying out across my chest.

“Mmm,” she murmured, nestling closer to me. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, beautiful,” I pressed a kiss to her forehead, and she smiled sleepily at me.

“What time is it?” she asked.

“Probably ten or eleven, judging by the sun,” I replied, and Lux’s eyes widened as she took in the sounds of the camp.

“Oh,” she blushed. “So much for sneaking back to my tent. I need to change and brush the nest out of my hair.”

“You could still do that,” I assured her.

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