Page 76 of If You Need Me

“Right? It’s why I love this little cabin and its tiny bed so much.”

“Your feet hang over the end.”

“They do. I’ll be back with coffee in a minute.” I disappear inside, use the single-cup press, and doctor her coffee the way I know she likes it. She starts to sit up, presumably to make room for me, but I raise a hand. “Hold right there.” I set the coffees on the table beside the swing and tuck myself in the corner, adjusting all the pillows so she can lean into them.

“Is this even comfortable for you?” she asks as I pass her a coffee mug.

“Absolutely.” I don’t care if the armrest is digging into my side. I’m more than happy to end up with a bruise if it means being this close to her.

She sips her coffee and sighs. “This is perfect.”

“Good. I’m glad.” I stretch my arm across the back of the swing and sip my coffee, enjoying the hell out of this moment. It’s probably only happening because she’s too hungover to fight me.

“After coffee we can go for breakfast at Two Guys and a Stove.”

“They have the best eggs benny,” Wills sighs.

“With peameal bacon,” I add.

“Yes times a million,” she agrees. “But we’ll probably run into people we know.”

“That’s inevitable. I won’t leave your side today, Wilhelmina. I won’t make the same mistake as last night.”

“I don’t need protecting,” she snaps.

“I know you don’t.” I kiss the top of her head. Mostly, it’s reflexive. “But sometimes it’s nice to know someone has your back.”

She gulps her coffee and pats me on the leg as she moves to stand. “I need a shower.”

I want to offer to give her a hand, but she’s turned me down twice now.

She disappears inside the cabin. I finish my coffee and hop into the outdoor shower. The cold water is a little hard to take, but I’ll survive. I’m already dressed and ready to go by the time she comes out of the bathroom, wearing another outfit I bought for her.

She frowns at my wet hair. “Did you go for a morning swim? The water would be frigid.”

“There’s an outdoor shower,” I explain.

“I bet the view is amazing.”

“It is.”

“Maybe I’ll try it tomorrow.”

“It’s cold water only, so that’s something to consider.”

Her eyes widen. “You had a cold shower?”

“This place has a small water heater, and I didn’t want you to run out. It’s not a big deal.”

She purses her lips. “Have you always been this sweet?”

I shrug. “You make it sound like that’s a bad thing.”

She blows out a breath. “You’re making it extremely difficult not to like you, Dallas.”

“Again, you make it sound like that’s a bad thing.”

I follow her out the door, all fucking smiles.

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