Page 78 of Amnesia

Stupid allergies.

I avoided getting water in my hair and quickly washed. My limbs were heavy, and my brain was foggy. Once I was finished, I put on the T-shirt, brushed my teeth, and left the bathroom, not bothering with cream on my face. It hurt too much to touch.

The bed with the colorful pillows and homemade quilt called to me. My body practically melted into the sheets, and my sigh of relief filled the room.

It lasted all of two seconds.

The jangle of the French door handle made me spring up and clutch the blankets to my chest. My heart started pounding, and I gazed around for something to use as a weapon.

A soft knock had my head whipping back to the doors. “Amnesia,” a muffled familiar voice called. “It’s me. Let me in.”

Rushing to the door, I pulled back the curtain and peered out. Eddie stared back.

“What are you doing here?” I said when the door was open.

“You really thought I was just going to drop you off on the doorstep and walk away?”

“Yes?” I half asked.

He chuckled as though I were funny, then shut and locked the door. When the curtain was pulled over the windows, he turned to me. “I promised you a goodnight kiss.”

I smiled. “Yes, you did.”

“I always keep my promises.” He stepped close.

I puckered up and tilted my head back, squeezing my eyes closed.

He laughed.

But the kiss he gave me was no laughing matter. The way his large hands supported my head, the soft, warm brush of his lips across mine. My knees went wobbly, and calm washed over me as his tongue swept inside.

Easing back, he dropped a kiss on the tip of my nose. “Someday I’m going to count all those freckles.”

“Stay with me tonight,” I prompted, taking his hand and tugging him toward the bed. He followed behind me, saying nothing when I slid between the sheets. Scooting way over, I glanced back at him, a question in my eyes.

Eddie reached behind him and tugged his shirt over his head. Next, he kicked off his shoes and socks, then slid into the bed (jeans on).

“Are you going to be comfortable like that?” I worried.

He laughed low. “With you beside me? I’ll be just fine.” He settled back against the pillows, stretching his arm out behind me. “Come on, Am,” he invited.

I lay beside him, and his arm tugged me right up against his side, his hand pressing my head gently down on his bare chest.

“I like this,” I whispered, wrapping an arm over his waist, tucking my hand between his side and the mattress.

“Me, too,” he rumbled, his voice thick with fatigue.

I fit along him perfectly. It wasn’t a shock to realize Eddie’s arms was my favorite place to be.

She snored.

It was charming as hell.

I was glad she invited me to stay last night because I hadn’t planned on leaving, and in her bed with her in my arms was a hell of a lot better than the floor.

After I picked up my truck, going home hadn’t been an option, not after the day we had, not after the way she clung to me in the hospital and the reality of almost losing her again.

Although, had I really lost her in the first place?

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