Page 100 of Fumbling for Perfection

“The couch is comfortable. I’ve taken a handful of naps on it.”

“Hm.” She taps her finger to her chin. “What else you got?”

“Just this room over here.” I lean my shoulder against the doorframe to my bedroom.

Riley brushes past me and runs her hand along the edge of the dark-gray bedding. “I feel like goldilocks.”

“Except you haven’t tested out the three sleeping options.”

“Hm. True.” She pulls back the comforter and crawls between the covers. “I’m gonna test this out for a minute.”

She snuggles into the pillow and curls on her side, closing her eyes with a smile on her face. I don’t move from the doorway and watch her pretend to sleep in my bed. On my side. Her face on my pillow.

My cock stirs again in my pants. Riley opens her eyes, as if she could hear the twitching behind my zipper.

“This is nice. I think I’ll sleep here.”

“I can sleep in the guest room.”

The line between her brow deepens. “No offense, but your guest room doesn’t look very inviting.”

“Maybe because I have no plans to invite guests over.”

Riley sits up, a frown dragging down her lips. “I’m sorry, Walker. I didn’t mean to overstep.” She swings her legs over the side of the bed, and I rush to her side.

“Riley.” I squeeze her shoulders and stop her from running away. “You’re not aguest.”

“Oh.” She blinks those dark, long lashes at me. “What am I then?”

The corner of my mouth quirks. “That’s a conversation that’s too big for three-thirty in the morning.”

“I can sleep—”

“Right here.” I lift the comforter for her.

“Are you sure?”

I skim my knuckles across her jawline. “Without a doubt.”

She reaches up and strokes my bandage. “I’m sorry you got hurt.”

The pain in my chest, around my heart, has hurt like hell since I lost Riley, but that’s not what she’s talking about.

“Can I do anything to make it feel better?”

I close my eyes and keep my groan to myself. We’re both exhausted and need sleep more than anything. As much as it pains me, I nod.

“Climb into bed and sleep.”

When she’s snuggled between the covers again, I give her a soft kiss on the temple.

“You’re leaving?” she calls to my retreating back.

The concern in her voice has me smiling. “I’m changing and locking up. I’ll be back in a minute. If that’s okay.”

“Yes.”

I strip down to my boxers quickly and quietly, and by the time I crawl into bed behind her, she’s already snoring softly. Pulling her into my chest, I drape my arm around her and spoon my body around hers.

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