Page 96 of Between Hate and Desire

“Oh, that does remind me of one more favor…” She pulls back so our eyes lock, and she bites her bottom lip.

I raise my brows, wanting her to say it. At this point, nothing she could say will shock me.

“We’re gonna need to sleep together tonight.”

Okay, except that.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

LENNON

Hunter looksas though he’s seen a ghost. He takes a step back, wrapping a hand around the back of his neck and squeezing.

“Come again?”

I know he heard me.

“I need you to sleep with me. In bed. Together.”

His throat moves as he swallows hard. “Why?”

I chew the inside of my cheek, twisting my lips from side to side. I hate how I’m constantly asking him for shit.

“Quick version: we’re going to be expected to sleep in the same bed at my parents’ house.”

Hunter narrows his eyes. “And they’re going to be watching to make sure of that?” he asks, his voice edgy.

“Pfft. Seriously wouldn’t doubt it, but no. And the bed is only a full size.”

His eyes widen, finally understanding.

“So we might want a practice night.” I suck in for air. He held me that one night shortly after Brandon died, but that was different.

“How the hell are we going to fit in a full size?” Hunter raises his brows. He’s well over six feet tall and twice my build, so that’s a damn good question.

“Uh, well…being very, very close?” I grimace. “I’d say one of us can sleep on the floor and pack an extra pillow, but the doors don’t lock, so they could walk in at any minute.”

He tilts his head, studying me. “The doors don’t have locks? What the hell kinda environment did you grow up in?”

I throw my arms up. “I told you! They’re crazy! They wanted to control everything, which meant a lack of privacy.”

“That’s fucking nuts, Lennon,” he says. “Are there cameras in the bathroom I should know about too?”

“No!” I playfully push him. “But I did warn you! I told you we were really gonna have to sell it because they’ll pry intoeverything.”

He blinks, taking a step back. “Alright, it’s fine. I’ll do whatever it takes. But if I squish you and the baby in the middle of the night, that’s on you,” he teases.

“Ha-ha. I won’t think twice about shoving your ass off the bed,” I warn playfully.

“Fair enough.” His tone is weak, almost as if he’s in pain. I’ve been asking a lot of him, but as soon as we return from this trip, things will go back to normal, and we can both forget this ever happened. Or try to.

My phone rings from the bedroom, so I tell Hunter to hold on and rush to answer it. As soon as I see Sophie’s name on the screen, I pick it up with a pleasanthello.

“You holding up okay?”

“I think so. Nerves are setting in. I think once we’re there and the news is out, I’ll be able to relax a teeny bit. Even better when we get it over with.” I sigh, my shoulders slumping as I sit on the bed.

“How’s Hunter doing? You two get all the details figured out?” She wants more info, which doesn’t surprise me at this point.

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