Page 19 of Overexposed

I scoffed lightly, not bothering to open my eyes. “Now I know for sure you don’t have a medical degree. That’s total bullshit, and it’s been proven that sleep is actually the best thing for the brain to heal.”

His soft laughter was like a warm blanket wrapping around my cold body. “Well, you’re not slurring your words so that has to be progress.”

My reply was just a huff as I snuggled my face into his chest. Fuck he was sexy. Why did I sneak out in the dead of the night again?

Gemini carried me up a flight of stairs, then gently laid me down in a huge bed that smelled strongly of cedarwood, clove, and patchouli. It smelled of Gem.

“Am I in your bed, Gemini Harrison?” I mumbled, trying to get comfy and regretting the waitress uniform I wore for the party.

He hummed a sound of confirmation as his hand stroked down the bare length of my leg. Just as I started to think he was instigating sex, he began unlacing my boot. Oh yeah. Shoes in bed wasn’t the best idea.

“You are in my bed, Slick. Is that a problem?”

No. But I was curious and wanted to tease him a bit. “Don’t you have guest rooms in this fancy mansion?”

Another of those low, soft chuckles that made my insides tighten. “We do, actually. Several guest rooms.”

“Mmhmm,” I murmured as he tugged my boot off, then moved to the other one. “Then why am I inyourbed, Gem?”

He didn’t answer as he unlaced my second boot, then tugged it free. His long fingers wrapped around my foot and his thumb rubbed my arch in the most delicious way. “Because I want you to be, Slick.”

“Oh,” I replied, a little at a loss for what to say back to that. I wasn’t used to men being so…secure.

Gem rubbed my feet a moment, then got up with a sigh. “I’m going to grab you a T-shirt, all right? You can’t sleep in that.”

I snuggled my face deeper into his pillow, inhaling his scent. “I thought I wasn’t allowed to sleep?”

He laughed again. “I thought I wasn’t a doctor? Stay awake a little longer, though. I want to make sure you’re comfortable.”

I didn’t do as I was told, drifting back to sleep and needing Gem to wake me up in order to change out of my blouse and skirt and into the soft, oversized hockey jersey he’d picked out.

“Am I allowed to sleep now?” I grumbled once he’d tucked me in. “I feel like I got the crap beaten out of me tonight.”

He exhaled heavily, his lips brushing my wrist in the ghost of a kiss. “Yeah, you can sleep. I think once those painkillers kick in, you should be feeling a lot better.”

He started to stand up, but I grabbed his wrist to stop him from leaving just yet. “Thanks, Gem,” I whispered, my eyes just barely open to see him. “I owe you one. And probably owe Olivier at least two for saving my life.”

His brow furrowed a moment, then he kissed the inside of my wrist this time. The warmth of his lips left a brand behind. “No thanks necessary…though I would take your name if you’re willing to offer it.”

A startled laugh burst out of me, and I instantly groaned at how it hurt my head. But still… “You don’t remember my name? I’m so fucking insulted.” And yet I was struggling to contain my laughter.

“You never told me,” he responded with a touch of outrage.

I grinned, letting my eyes shut fully. “Oh well. G’night, Gemini.”

His frustrated sigh amused me to no end. “Sweet dreams, Slick.”

Despite the heaviness of my eyes, I didn’t expect to drop right into sleep. Yet the next time my eyes opened, time had definitely passed. My bladder protested, demanding attention.

Lifting my head, I found Gem sprawled next to me, sound asleep. While he was close enough for his heat to warm me, he wasn’t touching me. Hushed twilight draped the space. The blinds were closed, along with the curtains. A soft light shone from within the bathroom. The dim glow but a glow nonetheless.

The soft light was enough to let me make out the shapes in the room. Easing out of the bed, I made a beeline for the bathroom. The ache in my head had improved. I tested the knot on the back of my skull and grimaced. That still sucked and it hurt when I messed with it.

Right, don’t touch it, idiot. The mental castigation made me smile. After I peed, I washed my hands and then got a drink. My throat ached but it wasn’t too bad. At least my larynx wasn’t crushed. On quiet feet, I drifted back into Gem’s bedroom.

I debated searching for my clothes, then slipping out before he woke. I hadn’t wanted to leave with Olivier in the first place. I knew they were friends but I hadn’t expected them to be sharing a house.

Gem being here had been a blessing and a curse. Then he’d also been so damn gentle. His probe for my name and reaction to me teasing him had also been funny. Instead of getting dressed and leaving, I was staring down at Gem’s sleeping form and imagining all the ways I could wake him up.

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