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He nodded with understanding. “We’ll figure it all out in the morning. For tonight, just rest, knowing I’ll keep you safe.”

“Okay.”

His thumb moved tenderly along my jaw. Then, Ty twisted his body and turned off the light before the two of us shifted our bodies in the bed. I’d barely gotten my head on the pillow when I felt Ty’s arm clamp around my waist. That hadn’t quite registered when he hauled me up against his body and tucked me close to him, his front to my back.

My belly trembled, only this time, it wasn’t from fear. I felt safe and protected and cared for.

And mere minutes later, when my eyelids got heavy, I never expected I’d have the best night of sleep in my whole life.

SEVENTEEN

Alana

Ty was a hot sleeper.

I knew this was the case, because I hadn’t ever woken up feeling the overwhelming urge to rip off all my clothes.

Then again, the reason for that might not have had anything to do with the actual temperature. It might have been the result of being wrapped up in the arms of a man who’d vowed to protect me.

Who told me I was all he thought about.

Who was easily the best kiss of my life.

I woke before my eyes opened this morning, and I shouldn’t have been surprised to find my body was still tucked close to Ty’s. Only, we hadn’t remained in the same position we’d fallen asleep in last night.

Apparently, we’d turned in the middle of the night. Or, well, I did, anyway. My body was practically plastered to his. My thigh was hooked over his hip, his arm was draped over my waist, and my head was tucked into the crook of his neck.

I loved the closeness. I adored being held like this by him.

But I was burning up. The heat was just radiating off his body like a furnace.

Between his physical temperature, the hold he had on me, and the flashes of memories I had of kissing him last night, a rush of desire moved through me. It was almost as though I could hear the quickened beat of my heart, something that caused a flutter in the center of my chest.

And my fingers.

My fingers ached with the need to touch Ty.

I clenched my hand into a fist and squeezed briefly before releasing and spreading my fingers wide. I did that several times just inches from his chest, doing it while feeling like I was barely breathing.

Maybe, just maybe, I could do something about how hot I was feelingandfind a way to experience something much more intimate than that kiss we’d shared after our date. Maybe I could find out if kissing was the only thing Ty did well.

Unable to stop myself, I inched my trembling fingertips closer to him as a dull ache blossomed between my legs. The urge to roll my hips, to scoot closer, was strong. As much as I wanted to look up at his face, something held me back. Maybe there was a bit of worry still lingering.

He had said he was over his last relationship, but it felt awfully fast to me. I didn’t want to question him—he hadn’t lied to me about anything yet.

But even if he had been honest about that, what if this was too much too soon for him? I wasn’t sure I wanted to risk seeing his eyes open, only to have him reject me. It was better if I just relieved that slight ache at my fingertips and touched him.

Satisfy that craving, that need.

And if Ty wanted more, he could be the one to take the lead. Or, at the very least, give me a hint he wanted me as much as I wanted him.

My fingertips traced lightly over the smooth, solid plane of his chest as my eyes roamed over the bumps and valleys created by the strong muscle beneath his skin along his entire torso. The size of his shoulders, the strength in his arms—it was no wonder I’d immediately felt safe in his hold last night.

“And here I thought I was dreaming.” The deep rumble of Ty’s sleepy voice moved through me.

A hint of amusement lingered in his tone, and it was just enough to give me the confidence to tip my head back so I could look at his handsome face. I smiled at him, my fingers still roaming. “You’re not disappointed, are you?”

His fingers on the arm draped over my waist found a sliver of exposed skin on my lower back. They just barely brushed that skin, sending a shiver along my spine. “Not at all.” We held each other’s stares for just a few tense beats before he said, “You’re up early. Are you feeling alright?”

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