Page 7 of My Bossy Valentine

5

Willow

Upon waking, I feel a warm layer against my back and a gentle snore near my ear.

All this freaking out about attacking my boss in my sleep, and here he is, knee pressed between my thighs and a hand on my lower stomach. His hard chest presses against my back, and his heat soaks through my pajamas.

Oh, my God.

I’m either going to die of embarrassment or happiness. There is no in-between. Chris Fletcher is snuggling me, making me feel like I’m on the top of the freaking world. Yesterday might’ve been a rough start to this trip, but something as little as this easily makes up for everything else.

I can’t possibly think about my new title as an aunt when my boss has an iron-grip on my body, making wiggling free impossible. As if I’d want to leave to begin with. No, I think I’ll feign sleep until he wakes up.

I’m so lost in being touched that for a spur of a moment, I wish he’d drag his fingers lower. If I twist my hips right, I might even feel a little bit of friction.

Now is not the time to be horny. Can I be blamed? This man haunted my dreams, whispering sweet nothings in my ear during all eight hours, and created the most vivid dream yet. The things I want him to do to me are a list a mile long.

Sighing softly, I lose count of the seconds turning into minutes as we lay there. Finally, I hear movement outside of the door. Others are awake, and I’m sure I can smell the start of breakfast. As much as I don’t want to ruin this moment, I have to wake him up by wiggling. The hardest part about this bit will be acting completely nonchalant once he’s realized what he’s done.

Chris doesn’t move at first. Instead, he breathes in slowly, groaning softly under his breath. Even better, he tightens his hold on me, like he never wants to let me go.

Unlike his consoling hug the night before, this hold feels like it has more of a purpose. The possessiveness, a clinging sensation like ivy on a wall, promises to never let me go.

If what I’m feeling pressing against the curve of my back is what I think it is, then maybe he’s sharing a similar hunger for what I’m experiencing. Even I can see how silly that seems.

“Someone is going to come hunt us down if we don’t get ready for the day,” I murmur softly when he sighs. Yes, he’s fully awake now, I’m sure of it. What I don’t understand is why he’s yet to yank away.

“More of a reason to stay like this.” His sleep-laced voice is even deeper than his normal one. Goosebumps immediately scatter across my skin as he suggests we don’t move.

If we don’t, then how am I supposed to address this throbbing between my legs?

“Funny, sir.” Forcing a laugh, I wiggle free, much to his dismay. Not wanting him to see what kind of state I’m currentlyin, I stumble toward our luggage. Digging inside, I try not to listen for every shift against the sheets, or listen to any tempting whispers that beg me to see what kind of bed-head look Chris has. I’m so used to his hair being styled that I don’t know if my heart can handle discovering how messy it can get.

Neither of us brings up his touches, and he doesn’t bother leaving the bed even after I slip toward the door to take a quick shower. Though, I’m sure I hear him mutter something under his breath. Unfortunately, I miss it. As tempting as it is to open the door, to face my fears and return to bed, I don’t.

I’ll just mark this down as an accident and try my best to move on.

* * *

“Your family is larger than I was expecting.” Next to me, Chris leans near my ear. “I assumed this was going to be a small gathering.”

From the chattering happening between each row of benches, it’s easy to see that isn’t the case at all.

“Quite. Don’t ask me to start listing off cousins, because the list is long enough that I’m not sure I even remember them all.” With a smile teasing my lips, I watch as my father checks his cuffs for the second time. “My parents, at the time, didn’t have the money to throw themselves a real wedding. Compared to back then, I think my family doubled in size. What about you? I don’t recall you talking about your family much.”

He sighs as he thinks about it. “Single child, thankfully. My parents are off enjoying their retirement, probably in some cabin in the woods if my father has anything to do with it. He’s always been a lover of nature, and I make sure they can afford it. He’d probably love Fairland, now that I think about it.”

“Do you see them often?” I can’t judge them, if not. I haven’t seen mine since the day I moved to New York. Sure, we trade texts and have the occasional phone call, but I haven’t gone out of my way to visit. Not even during the holidays.

I spent my Christmas going over spreadsheets while Chris organized his files. It’s my fault, mentioning that I’d be spending it alone. He assumed working was the better alternative. I guess he didn’t have anyone to celebrate the holiday with, either.

“No. I think they prefer it that way. Everywhere I go, I bring my job with me. The only reason my phone isn’t going crazy now, is because I shut it off.” The corner of his mouth twitches, and I even want to laugh at that bit.

“Is that why I keep getting forwarded emails?” Leaning in, I try to stifle a laugh. “They’re probably going insane. The marketing department is probably running around like crazy. Like chickens with their heads cut off.”

“If the building catches fire, I’m sure I’ll find out one way or another. For now, they’re just fine the way they are.”

Seeing the mischievousness hiding behind his gaze is like a breath of fresh air. I’d never think I’d see such a thing.

---