Page 46 of Easton

But I don’t want to be alone.

Peering up at him sadly, I ask, “Can you stay with me for a while? Like, maybe the whole night?”

He looks shocked. “You mean sleep in here?”

I nod and give him my saddest look. “Uh-huh.”

He blows out a breath. “Um, okay, I guess, but…” Gesturing to his dress shirt and black slacks, he asks, “Do you mind if I run to my room and change into something more comfortable first?”

“Okay.”

He walks to the door, and I double-check, “You’re definitely coming back, right?”

With a smile, he tells me, “Of course.”

“Promise?”

“I promise, Claire.”

Closing my eyes, I let out a long, relaxed sigh. I know Easton will return. I can trust him. He always has my back, and he always keeps his promises.

Yeah, he married you, didn’t he?I think as I drift off.

Itry to change out of my dress clothes and into dark lounge pants and a plain gray tee as quickly as I can.

I have to be fast. I forgot to ask Claire if she wants me to sleep with her in the bed—safely on one side and on top of the covers, of course—or if she prefers for me to stay on the chair that’s over by the closet.

But when I return to her bedroom, she’s fast asleep.

Now I need to make the decision on my own.

Shit, I hope I choose the right one.

I could always just go back to my own room, but I made a promise. And we all know how adamant I am about keeping my word.

So, will it be the chair or the bed?

The chair is kind of small. I won’t get much sleep there. And Claire does look adorable all curled up on her side, one hand under the pillows. There’s plenty of room next to her.

Aw, fuck it.

I decide to just lie down on the bed. But, as planned, I opt to stay on top of the covers. I don’t want to overstep any boundaries here.

Though a huge part of me would love to wrap my arms around her, I don’t. Again, this is new territory for us. And since Claire is impaired, I prefer to err on the side of caution.

So I just lie on my back, arms at my sides.

A surprisingly short while later, that’s the way I fall asleep.

I wake up twice during the night. The first time is when Claire gets up to go to the en suite bathroom. I listen long enough to make sure she’s not getting sick, which she isn’t, and then I nod back off.

The second time I’m roused is when I feel Claire resting her hand on my chest.

That one makes me smile.

And then I’m back to dreamland.

The third time I wake up, it’s morning.

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