Page 41 of Whatever It Takes

“Whatever you want.” I cross the room and come to a stop at her side. I expect her to move to the middle, but she doesn’t budge.

Okay, so, I could walk to the bottom of the bed and crawl up.

Or I could climb over her.

I opt for the second option and sincerely regret not bringing boxer briefs with me when I hopped into the shower. The thin material of my sweats doesn’t do shit to keep my dick in place, and it slides over her thighs when I don’t hold myself up high enough.

Even the quick process of climbing over her seems to flood my nose with her scent. I fight with the comforter to climb under as a distraction.

Briar holds herself up on her forearms, lifting her legs and maneuvering under the blanket with me. I pull it up, tucking it around my chest as she does the same for herself.

My head hits the crazy number of pillows, and I turn to face her. “What kind of movie were you thinking about watching?”

I’m not expecting the almost panicked look that crosses her face as her eyes widen.

She shrugs, making her hair bounce around her breasts. “I’m not picky. You choose. I’ll like whatever you put on.”

I frown.

Something niggles at my mind, but it’s hard to tell if it’s true.

Since my grandma and grandpa have completely different tastes in movies and TV shows, they have an every-other-night system where they swap out who has control of the remote. When I was little, I used to say it would be fair to vote, because Inever much cared for what Grandma picked, but my grandfather taught me that two-against-one voting wouldn’t fly.

Based solely on what I know of Briar’s life as Bianca, I’m wondering if she wasn’t allowed to voice her choices or opinions. Or maybe she was taught to capitulate to whatever her husband wanted.

I’ve heard all about how that culture works.

I just want no part of it.

“Well, I’m indecisive as hell when it comes to picking something.” I chuckle, bumping my shoulder against hers. “We will be here all night if it’s up to me to decide. I’ve been known to scroll for hours, watching the trailers, but falling asleep before I can choose.”

“Oh.” She twists to grab the remote. “That’s okay.” She places it between us. “I don’t care, as long as you let me snuggle close. I’m freezing, and it’s been a long day.”

My chest gets tight.

I’m sure it has.

She watched the guys dispose of Jameson—at least the initial cleanup.

“How about a holiday movie?” I suggest.

The last thing she needs before going to sleep is horror or some action movie that features a bunch of death and fear.

“That’s perfect.” Briar turns on her side, scooting closer and burying her feet under my thigh. Her toes are frozen, the cold radiating through the material and into me.

I slide my hand down, wrapping it around her foot. “Holy shit, woman. You are freezing.” Snagging the remote with my other hand, I click around, finding some small-town Christmas romance and get it started before stretching my arm over her head. “In order to combat hypothermia, I’m going to need you to lie right on my chest.”

That was smooth, right?

Dammit.

I’m so bad at this that it’s actually ridiculous. I’m not that nerdy kid that no girl would look twice at.

Briar is out of my league, though.

She still grins bashfully as she wiggles her face to rest on my bare chest. “You know, I went looking for the thermostat, but this place is huge. I would have bumped the heat up to like seventy-five, but this is much more enjoyable.”

My chest puffs up with pride. “For me too.”

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