Page 102 of Seduction in Spades

We watch anotherHarry Pottermovie, and I notify work that I’m still stuck in the mountains. That’s my excuse. Car problems. They’ve been reasonable, giving me assignments I can do from my laptop.

I crawl into bed and cry myself to sleep for the fourth night in a row. It’s still pitch dark outside, minus the sliver of the moon hovering over the mountains, when I hear my bedroom door open.

“Ryder?”

“Christ. I don’t want to ever hear you say another man’s name when you’re in bed.”

“Nolan?” I rip off the covers and jump up.

I can barely make out his shape in the dark room. I wrap my arms around his middle and bury my face into his chest.

He jerks his side away and groans in pain.

“Nolan?” I slide my hands up his chest and cradle his cheeks in my palms. “You’re hurt? Oh my god. Are you hurt? Did I hurt you? You should sit down. Are you okay?”

My heart races in my chest. I’m in disbelief that he’s here in the flesh. In my room. In my arms.

“You didn’t hurt me.” He brushes my hair away from my face. “You promised if I came back, I could kiss you. Please, fuck, don’t make me wait any longer.”

I loop my hands around his neck and stand on my tiptoes, bringing his mouth toward mine. I’ve been eager for this moment for weeks. My heart races and my palms sweat, even though we’ve kissed a hundred times before. This time it’s different. We’re different. I brush my lips lightly against his. A spark of electricity courses through my body as our lips touch for the first time in ages. The kiss is gentle and sweet, like a dream come true.

His lips move against mine as he explores my mouth. I open my eyes and see him smiling back at me. His body melts against mine as our kiss intensifies. I never want it to end. And then he flinches again.

Reluctantly, I drop my arms from around his shoulders. “What happened?”

“It’s over. You’re safe.”

“Nolan.” I run my hand down his arm and link my fingers with his. “Areyousafe?”

“I’m fine.”

“Not that again.”

He guides me to the bed, and we both sit at the edge. “Honestly? I’m exhausted. Can we get some sleep and talk in the morning?”

“By talk in the morning, I take it you don’t mean you’ll tell me what you’ve been doing the past four days.”

“I’ve been thinking about you nonstop. Waiting for that kiss, the chapters you promised me.”

I fight back a yawn. I haven’t slept well in weeks, and I highly doubt Nolan has had much rest either. “Okay. We can talk in the morning.”

Nolan stands and kisses the top of my head before moving to the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m letting you sleep.”

I’ve been vocal, too vocal, about not wanting to cuddle and not wanting sleepovers. But I can’t imagine getting any sleep with him down the hall and not next to me.

“If you want me to sleep, take off your clothes and climb into bed. I’m going to toss and turn thinking about you naked between the sheets down the hall.”

I hear his gruff chuckle. “Sleep, Avery. That’s all that’s going to happen until we talk.”

“I promised you more chapters, which I’m too tired to share tonight.”

He comes over and strokes my hair. “Climb into bed. I’m going to use the bathroom first.”

Nolan doesn’t turn on the bathroom light until the door is closed. I still haven’t seen more than his silhouette. I wonder how bad his eye looks and if the swelling has gone down. Tomorrow I’ll care for him. Tonight, we’ll cuddle.

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