Page 31 of Bee

After a few bites, I turn my head when he tries to feed me again. It wasn't much but I'm full.

"You ready for bed?" He whispers.

"Mmhmm." I nod and he puts the plate down on the small table in front of us before scooping me up and carrying me to the room. He's not even out of breath.

"You know I can walk." I poke fun of him.

"Hmm."

Quickly I get out of my pants and pull the blankets back so I can get under but he's still staring at me from the foot of the bed.

"You okay?" I ask. He's right it's not like we've never slept in the same bed before, this is already our nightly routine but something feels different.

"Yeah, you want a shirt?" He asks making himself move to the dresser where he keeps his limited supply of clothing. I'm sure since I've been staying with him I've gone through most of his stuff.

"Sure." I reach out for the long shirt he's pulled out for me. Usually I'd wait until he went to the bathroom or something to change but tonight I'm going to push him out of his comfort zone. I want him to see that I'm not just some broken woman he needs to take care of. I want him to see that I have other needs as well. Needs I didn't even think I'd get to fulfill with him.

Tonight is going to be fun, one way or another.

12

Rye

What the fuck am I doing.

I'm just supposed to be making sure that Bee is okay. Making sure that she's on her feet and able to function.

I shouldn't have agreed to let her work at the bar. In fact, the second she came into the bar looking for something to do I should've sent her on her way.

Everything in me is telling me it's a bad idea to get involved with her, but my need for her is getting way out of control. It's like I'm fucking obsessed.

I try to shake off the thought as I pull my shirt over my head, tossing it onto the chair by the bed. The sheets are pulled back, the lamp still on, casting a warm glow over the room. I rub a hand down my face, exhausted but wired at the same time. Then I hear it, the rustle of fabric behind me.

I glance over my shoulder just in time to see Bee, half-naked, standing in the middle of my room, pulling her shirt over her head.

My stomach tightens.

She’s in nothing but her bra and underwear, her skin soft and smooth under the golden light. My breath gets stuck somewhere between my chest and my throat, and before I can stop myself, I groan, low and deep, more animal than man.

Bee pauses, looking at me like she wasn’t expecting a reaction. Like she’s completely oblivious to what she does to me.

“Jesus, Bee,” I mutter, dragging a hand through my hair. I need to look away, I should look away, but I don’t. I can’t.

She smirks, like she knows exactly what she’s doing to me. “What?”

I shake my head, turning my back to her as I exhale slowly through my nose. "Nothing. Just… hurry up and get in bed."

It takes everything in me to keep my eyes forward as I hear her slip under the covers. I follow after her, sinking into the mattress, rolling to my side like we always do. The same routine we’ve fallen into since she’s been here. Space between us. No touching.

But tonight feels different.

Tonight, I can feel the heat of her body like a flame licking at my skin. I can hear the unsteady rhythm of her breath, faster than usual. It takes every ounce of willpower not to reach for her, but I’m losing the battle fast.

She shifts, just slightly. Not away from me, but toward me.

Fuck it.

I exhale sharply and close the distance, letting my arm drape around her waist, pulling her back against me. Her body molds against mine, and I can’t help but let my fingers ghost up the curve of her hip. Slow. Measured. Just enough to feel her shiver beneath my touch.

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