Page 116 of The Reluctant Hero

“Then why did you drink it?”

“I was savoring you beingnicefor once,” his glare goes dark. “That didn’t last long.”

“Fine,” I shrug and flop down on the couch myself. “Night.”

“Don’t you dare.”

I make a big production of getting comfortable and let out a huge sigh. “So comfy.Muchbetter than that chair.”

“Get back to work,” he demands. It sounds like he’s at the end of the couch, breathing fire.

I snuggle in deeper and let out another exaggerated sigh.

“You asshole,” his voice drops in disbelief. My lips twist up in a smile, but I don’t open my eyes.

And then a weight crushes me into the cushions, forcing the wind out of me. The blanket drops over me as he shifts around until we’re both lying on our sides with his back to my face.

“Night,” his smug voice makes me angry at first, and then I start laughing.

“AndI’man asshole,” I choke out and shove him. “You’re such a kid.”

“Like you’re any better.”

“Have you asked Mikael to build you a tree house yet?” I tease and blow some of his hair out of my face. It flies up and drops over his cheek.

“Can I get some fucking sympathy here?”

He says it in a laughing tone, but it sobers me. He seems to sense the mood change and his body stiffens up. He was doing so much better while I was being an ass, but I can’t help feeling upset at what he’s suffered through. No wonder he’s made of ice.

I give a disgruntled sigh and flop my arm around his waist to hold him. I’ve wanted to hug him all day, and this is as close as I’m getting. He took his jacket off, so I get a handful of hard abs that surprises me. He must exercise with Mikael. Holy shit.

“Go to sleep,” I demand, trying not to panic. I made a mistake here.

“No,” he mutters back without any force.

“Hurry up so I can draw dicks on your forehead.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” his suspicious tone is filled with dread.

“Wouldn’t I?” I lean close to his ear and give a soft villain laugh. I can’t resist. I like vulnerable, honest Gabriel. I don’t enjoy the sad, empty version. If this is what he needs, then I’ll give it to him.

“Quit.”

I settle back and get quiet. I’m expecting him to get up any second and act like an asshole. Instead, he slowly relaxes, and his breathing gets even. It makes my chest ache as he falls asleep. He should have stayed home and eaten ice cream with whiskey poured over it. I would have.

The heat from his body and the blanket makes me groggy. I shift a little to try and get up, and he leans back to crush me into submission.

“Stop wiggling,” he mutters angrily.

“I’m going to fall asleep,” I hiss back.

“So?”

And then he starts softly snoring.

Really? I outsmarted myself with this one. It’s my last thought before sleep pulls me under.

24

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