Page 17 of Blame It On the Secret Santa

When I returned, he was putting a blanket down on the recliner.

“What are you doing?” I asked, stopping in my tracks as I watched him.

He looked over his shoulder and then turned his attention back to the chair.

“Making my bed.”

“Why? You have an actual bed. You should go sleep in that.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

He finally stopped and turned to face me. His features were hard, and there was a furrow between his brows.

“Because, Cassidy, I’m not going to go sleep in my bed while you freeze out here on the couch.”

“So you’re going to torture yourself by trying to sleep in that thing?” I pointed to the chair that didn’t look nearly long enough, even in a reclined position, to fit him.

“Sure am.”

“Sean, you’re being ridiculous. Just go sleep in your bed. I’ll be fine in here. I have plenty of blankets and warm sweats. It’s not like I’m camping out in the wilderness.”

“No, but this room gets cold quickly. It’s the one thing I hate about this house. I’m not leaving you in here to suffer while I’m warm and comfy in my bed. So either you come sleep in my bed with me, or we both camp out in here.”

Max laid down on the hardwood floor and whimpered, probably from how cold it was. I knew that he wasn’t going anywhere without Sean and that he would be more comfortable in the bedroom. So technically, I wasn’t making a decision that benefited Sean; I was thinking about poor Max and his comfort.

“Fine. We’ll sleep in your room.”

It hurt to say that because the thought of being in his bed again sent a flurry of emotions rushing through me. I didn’t want to have to think about the past or have the memories of happier times with him. But he was right. This room was already painfully cold, even with the warmer clothes on. It was stupid to make everyone suffer by sleeping in here just because I was hung up on the past.

“We don’t have to. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“It’s fine,” I assured him for a second time. “We’ll all sleep in the bedroom.”

“In the bed,” he added, giving me a stern look.

I rolled my eyes and headed for his bedroom without replying. Max stayed on my heels until we got inside and then cuddled up in the soft bed tucked in the corner of the room. It surprised me that he didn’t sleep in the bed with Sean, given how clingy he was. But then again, I couldn’t imagine that Sean was the kind of guy who wanted a dog sleeping on top of him—which was likely no doubt what Max would do if given the chance.

“Which side do you want me on?” I asked, waiting before I got in on the wrong side.

“Whichever side you want. It doesn’t matter to me.”

I looked around and noticed which nightstand had more items on it, and went with the opposite side. I pulled the blanket back and climbed in, already hating how much I loved the softness of his bed. The mattress was thick and immediately pulled me in, making me want to never leave again.

I felt the bed shift slightly as he climbed in beside me. He was right; it was a lot warmer in the bedroom, likely due to there being only one small window hidden behind heavy curtains. I pulled the blanket up tighter around me and closed my eyes as sleep quickly took me.

In the morning, I woke up to Sean painfully close to me as his warm breath tickled my neck. My eyes fluttered open to find his face right next to mine and one hand resting on my hip. Before I could move and try to get away, his eyes opened and locked onto mine.

“I thought I made it clear last night that me sleeping in your bed didn’t mean you had any right to touch me or try to cuddle,” I said, pulling my head back as far away as possible. The last thing I wanted was for him to think this was okay.

“You did,” he replied, his voice still filled with sleepiness.

“Okay, then please explain to me why you’re in my face and why your hand is on my hip.”

“Technically,you’reinmyface. And my hand is on your hip to keep you from kneeing me in the balls again.”

My eyebrows pinched together as I stared at him in confusion.

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