Page 115 of Beautiful Storm

When I wake up the next morning, I’m snuggled against Amelia, my hand curled around her, secured under herbelly, as if I instinctively knew not to hold any higher, in case my arm was a dead weight.

As my senses come back to life, Amelia’s soft breaths filter through the air while the heat of her body radiates against me. And I like it.

It doesn’t freak me out like I always thought it would.

As gently as possible, to not disturb her, I slide away and sit up, checking the time on my phone, disappointment filling me when I have three minutes before my alarm is set to go off. Barely enough time to kiss her good morning.

I stretch my arms as I glance back over my shoulder, smiling as she sleeps peacefully. Seeing her like this, so innocent and quiet, you’d never know she had so much sass, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I like that she challenges me and stands her ground. I just wish I wasn’t part of the reason she’s closed herself off, or that she hadn’t been hurt in the first place.

Visions of a young Amelia play in my mind, and the more I picture it, the more I understand. She’s never had a man in her life that treated her properly. Never had an equal. Someone she could blindly trust without thought. And I can’t imagine what that’s like.

Despite my faults, and I have many, I’ve always had support if I needed it, always had someone I could turn to. I may not have wanted someone in my life, but no one’s ever made me hurt like that. Except maybe Amelia. I’m starting to think Easton was right. I hated hersomuch because I caredtoomuch.

I stand up to get ready just as Amelia’s alarm goes off at the same time mine does. She groans before blindly reaching out and grabbing her phone, silencing the noise as she rolls over.

“Hi.” She smiles when she catches me watching her. “Are you going to turn that off?”

I snap out of my daze and silence my alarm before diving back onto the bed and wrapping myself around her.

“What are you doing?” She giggles as she tries to wriggle free.

“I’m embracing this life. Doing what couples do. Right?”

“Some do, sure. But we are not a couple.”

“Not yet.” I bite my lip as I bounce my eyebrows before smothering her again.

“Okay, okay. I have to get up. I can’t be late today.”

“Want me to drive you?” A thought hits me as I sit up and I frown. “Actually, can you drive me? I caught an Uber here.”

“What? You’re supposed to be off-limits to me. I can’t drive you to the stadium. I may as well have a sign on my head that says, “I slept with number 42.”

“I know where you can get that sign,” I joke and cringe until Amelia bursts out laughing.

“Believe it or not, I know your reputation. I’m aware this isn’t a first.”

“Actually it is.”

“What is?”

“You. You were my first.”

Amelia’s expression morphs into one of skepticism before she rolls her eyes. “Are we playing pretend or do you think I’m stupid?”

“Neither. You are the first person I’ve ever spent the night with.” Amelia’s jaw pops open, making me chuckle as I lift a finger to close it for her. “Is that so hard to believe?”

“It’s not, but it is…if that makes sense.”

“Nope. But you’re tired, and pregnant, so I forgive you.”

Amelia smacks me in the face with her pillow and I catch it before bursting out laughing. “Was it the pregnancy reference?” I ask, settling the pillow protectively against my chest.

“It was both. You don’t tell a woman she’s tired either.”

“Noted. I have a lot to learn.”

“You’re off to a good start. I wouldn’t be too worried.”

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