Page 90 of Play With Me

She gently pushed at my shoulder, forcing me to lie down. My body followed her guiding hand and I re-adjusted my seatbelt, taking it off my shoulder. On my way down, I thought I saw Brook smile in the rearview mirror, but at that point I was too exhausted to be bothered, and I closed my eyes.

Chapter 21

Brook

We remained parked in my brother’s fogged-up car, with the engine running to keep it warm, for over an hour. Lola sucked in air and then quickly released it. I never thought that watching her snore would be this amusing. Maybe I was just happy that she still wanted to be around me. Not that she had much choice; Lola was so exhausted that she could barely keep herself upright. She’d been in a deep sleep for the past hour, and I was afraid to wake her. I was afraid that Lola would leave as soon as her energy returned.

Outside, a dusting of snow covered the ground. My front porch lights had been lit for the past hour. I wished I’d had more time to furnish the place, but whatever decorations Evie had completed while we were away would have to do for now.

I reveled in the longer peaceful moment, taking her in. Her lips were parted and her eyelids heavy. The upper swell of her chest lifted each time she took a breath, and I wished I could lie down with her, hold her in my arms, and fall asleep as one. I wanted to beg for forgiveness, but I didn’t dare touch her right now. I didn’t dare wake her so that she could rip into me about Sophie. It was coming; I could feel it.

Sitting here, protected from the floating flakes I saw through the roof window, felt like we were encapsulated in a snow globe. It felt somewhat romantic, and I wished Lola could see the beauty of our setting. It had been a long time since I’d felt this peaceful.

She finally stirred, moaning languorously, and I realized that my moment of peace was about to end. Her eyes flew open and she froze mid-way through her stretching position, glancing from side to side as if trying to remember where she was.

“I didn’t want to wake you,” I whispered shifting in my seat. My back cracked. I’d been in this position since I parked, turned in my seat to watch her sleep. “We’re home.”

“Home?”

“My home.”

“Brook—”

“Lola, tomorrow morning, you can do whatever it is that you want to do, including going back to your place, but until then, until I know that you’re strong enough and not falling asleep every half hour, you’re sticking with me.”

I’d practiced this in my head while she slept. I’d practiced many scenarios, hopefully enough that would keep her at my side until dawn.

“I already told you that I work like a solar panel. I’m good to go for the next couple of days.”

Somehow, my dick decided to translate that into a promise. This was the one time I wished I had the power to control a hard-on.

I didn’t.

Feeling like it was perfect time to lure her inside, I asked, “What happens to a solar panel when it doesn’t get its energy?”

“I slept.”

“How do you feel?”

“Tired, but—”

“You’re sleeping at my house tonight, and tomorrow, you can go. I ordered pizza.”

Her head popped up. She was seeing me at my best, and she didn’t even realize it. I was hoping that after our adventures in the woods she would like to try more familiar food.

“And chicken wings—” I stopped when I saw her crossing her fingers. “Why are you doing that?”

“Because I’m hoping you’re going to saybreadsticksnext.”

I gave her my most irresistible grin, where half my mouth lifted with charm, along with a slightly rising brow, saying in a deeper tone, “I ordered breadsticks as well. Those are your favorite.”

She tried to disguise her smile with a frown, which only made her cuter. Maybe I had more hope than I thought. Just as fast, she pointed to my face, halting my ego.

“I’m only happy because I’m hungry, and stop doing that cute thing with your face. It won’t work, Brook. I’m out of here as soon as I eat.”

“This means that you’re coming inside?”

All I needed was a chance. Once she stepped over that threshold, I wouldn’t let her go.

---