Page 75 of Regards, Mia

Jay stirs in his sleep, his hand stroking down my arm. “You cold?”

I stiffen and jerk away. “How could I be next to you? You’re like an electric blanket.”

Jay shifts on the mattress. Turning to face me, he finds my gaze in the darkness. “What’s wrong?”

“N-Nothing.” I choke on the word, clear my throat and try again. “I’m fine.”

His bearded chin rubs my cheek in a soft caress. “You’re crying.”

“No, I’m not. I’m fine.” My voice wavers, and I’m mortified by the sound. I push against the wall of his chest. “I need some space.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, the mattress dips, and Jay’s warmth disappears. Through my blurred vision, I see him move through the darkened room and out of sight. I hear the creak of the door open and the soft click of it shut a moment later.

Wow. I know I told him to go, but I didn’t expect him to light out of here like the room was on fire.

Then again, I did ask for space.

Be careful what you wish for.

I let go of a sob, and tears flow down my cheeks. Curling into a ball, I hug my knees to my chest.

I never cry. The physical pain of it surprises me.It actually hurts.And I don’t even know why I’m crying.

Maybe it’s the pressure of convicting Mattson. Or the realization that I’m a complete failure next to Max.

Maybe it’s Jay, and the feelings I have for him. I’ve been denying them for a month, but I can’t anymore.

Something blessedly cool and wet bathes the heated skin of my forehead. I open my eyes and see Jay’s silhouette in the darkened room standing over me.

Once again, I hadn’t heard his movements. Jay moves like a panther, with grace, elegance, and hardly any sound at all.

He helps me sit and presses a plastic bottle into my hand. “Have some water.”

I sip obediently, letting the cold trickle of water soothe my parched throat. It tastes so good. I gulp nearly half the bottle before Jay eases it away.

He presses a couple of tablets into my palm. “Aspirin will help too.”

Swallowing the aspirin, I mumble a thanks and close my eyes in mortification.

The mattress dips as Jay sits beside me. “It’s still early. Try to go back to sleep for a bit.”

A sob sneaks up on me out of nowhere. “I don’t know why I’m crying.”

“It’s okay,” he says. “You’re drunk. You don’t know what you’re doing.”

My chest pinches. “I’m not drunk. Not anymore. And I’m sorry about that too. I’m sure I said something stupid.”

He brushes away the hair stuck to my cheek. “It’s okay, Mia.” His voice is a soothing balm, the deep baritone resonating low in my belly. “You didn’t say anything stupid. And you’re a very cute drunk.”

“I shouldn’t have kissed you while you were asleep.” I pull in a breath before another sob can escape. “I’m sorry.”

Jay scoots me over and stretches out beside me on the bed. “It’s okay, I didn’t mind.” He puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me onto his chest. “And I wasn’t asleep.”

“You were snoring.”

His fingers link with mine, settling over his belly. “I don’t snore.”

I laugh so hard it comes out as a snort. “You definitely do.”

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