Page 43 of The Love Trick

Does he know what he’s doing?

Or did this happen while we were sleeping?

I can barely breathe as I feel him stir against me, his face buried in my hair.

I try not to panic.

I try to ignore the way his hand is tucked up against my upper stomach.

He’sholdingme.

And there’s a part of me that wants to shout and wake him up. But there’s this other part—the one that’s been rearing its ugly head since we got here—that wants to just lie here and soak up the moment. But I’m scared I might like it too much. And he made it so clear last night that he’dnevercross that line.

He apparently looks at me like I’m his … sister.

But I’m pretty sure brothers and sisters don’t cuddle like this.

For all I know, he isn’t even aware of what he’s doing…

I rub my eyes, and that’s when I notice my hands are ice cubes from the air conditioning blasting in the room.

He was probably just cold and subconsciously sought out warmth in his sleep.

Blaze stirs again, this time letting out the sweetest groan, and for a moment, his grip tightens around me, sending chills down my torso and a flutter through my stomach.

I close my eyes and try to steady my breathing, the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. His touch is both comforting and electrifying, and I struggle to make sense of it all.

But then, his arms and torso go absolutelyrigidbefore freeing me from his grip in the most swift and violent way ever.

“I amsosorry,” he drawls, his voice groggy as I roll over.

He’s absolutely mortified. It’s etched in every line on his face, which is now reddened beneath his olive skin. He shakes his head adamantly as I try to conjure up the words to say.

“It’s okay,” I reply, my own voice tinged with sleep. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

“It was completely inappropriate, Addy.” He huffs. “I’m so sorry. I’ll put pillows down the center of the bed next time. I swear, I had no idea I was—”

“A cuddler?” I raise a brow.

“I’ve never shared a bed with a girl before,” he says, his voice quiet. “I…”

“Blaze.” I reach out and squeeze his forearm. “It’stotallyfine. The air conditioning has been blasting all night. You were probably just cold. Let’s not make it into something it’s not.”

He watches me flip the covers back and climb out of the bed. My face feels hot as I make my way toward the dresser, pulling it open and grabbing a pair of running shorts and a tank top. I can feel his eyes on me in my thin pajama shorts, so I intentionally don’t face him as I walk to the bathroom.

I don’t want him to see how flustered I am.

That would be so embarrassing, and then… I might have to admit that I actuallylikedhaving his hands around my body. Or something. I don’t know.

When I finish up in the bathroom and step out, Blaze is in the exact same spot, staring at the wall.

“I’m going for a run,” I say. Well, awalk, but still.

He whips his head around, his expression difficult to read. “Yeah, okay. You want me to go with you?”

I wave him off. “It’s okay. You look tired. Plus, we have the rehearsal dinner tonight. I should probably check in with Aurora to see if she needs me for anything.”

He nods, his lips turning slightly upward. “Sounds good. I think I’m gonna hit the gym for a while. My head feels messed up.”

---