Page 54 of His Sunshine Baby

“Understood. I won’t.”

… Does he mean that? I shouldn’t have overreacted, I’m such an idiot!

“Sorry I yelled,” I mumble.

“No, that’s okay. There are things about me that I wouldn’t want to be made public either.”

We stay silent for a few minutes, in a bit of an awkward atmosphere. I hate it… I take out my phone and play some calm music. It’s better than this awkward tension between us…

“I’ve always hated silence,” I admit.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Whenever it goes quiet, I have this feeling of fear that overwhelms me. As a kid, I needed a lullaby to fall asleep. Even now, the first thing I do if I’m alone is turn on the radio. At night, if the house is too quiet, I put my headphoneson and listen to something like this. I even love the sound of the rain… You’re not into music?”

“Not really. Our mother loved a few old classics, but that’s it. I let other people handle what we play in the clubs or the restaurants. It’s not that I don’t like it, I just don’t have much taste. The only time I don’t listen to the news is when I work out; I just play random playlists instead.”

I wonder what his mom was like… Seems like her influence played a huge role in Nate’s character today.

“That’s good,” I say. “I get to choose the music then.”

“Whatever you want,” he chuckles. “You can educate my poor ears.”

“Challenge accepted!”

“And I can teach you how to cook.”

“Hell no,” I frown. “I don’t like cooking. I’m so bad at it, it’s dangerous. I’m only allowed to use the microwave!”

He laughs, and we keep chatting and drinking our beers in a lighter mood. After a while of giving him funny recollections of my epic failures, we naturally cease talking and watch the moon together. I start feeling sleepy, but I don’t fight it.

Chapter 8

*2 months later, end of August.*

I slowly wake up, so drowsy it takes me a while to realize where I am. White sheets? I struggle to get up, but there is something. A man’s arm around me? That familiar smell of cologne… Oh shit, did I fall asleep in Nate’s bed? I remember us coming to the suite last night, having sex, then… Oh Moon Goddess, I really fell asleep right after that. I’m such an idiot!

“Nate. Nate, please move. Nate!”

I hear a groan, and I have to struggle a bit more for him to get off me. Seriously! I finally sit up, and reach out to grab my panties, forgotten at one end of the bed. What time is it? Gosh, I hope it’s not late! I can’t find my phone, so I just grab Nathaniel’s to check the time. I sigh. Not even 8:00 a.m. I hear him move around next to me and he finally turns his head.

“Something wrong, Miss Whitewood?” he asks.

His eyes are still closed but there’s a little grin crossing his lips.

“It’s not funny. I’m such an idiot. I shouldn’t have fallen asleep here.”

He stops smiling and sits up to look at me very seriously.

“It’s not such a big deal.”

“Yes, it is, Nate. We talked about this before, I shouldn’t stay overnight,” I answer while getting dressed.

“Why not? If we set an alarm, you can leave early enough to not miss training or whatever.”

It’s not just about being late; I am growing awfully comfortable with falling asleep with Nate. I don’t like it. I even have a couple of outfits stored here in the suite. The hotel’s staff recognizes me and I have no idea how that happened. The more time we spend together, the more I get attached, and that’s just terrifying.

I turn to him, still dazzlingly naked in bed. So handsome, so early. Nathaniel is frowning, unhappy with my haste.

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