Page 113 of Rough Around the Hedges

ISA: But I’m on duty tonight at the emergency vet.

ME: Does my mother know that?

ISA: I can’t imagine why she would.

ME: Then just tell her I camped at yours.

ISA: …Are you shagging the duke again?

ME: Not right this second, no.

ISA: Well, if I have to work all night, at least one of us should get some.

ME: Is that a yes?

ISA: Will I cover for you while you hop, skip, and jump all over that handsome devil of a duke and I’m making a bread-loving dog puke his guts up? Yes.

ME: You could have just said yes. I didn’t need the life story.

ISA: I hope you dream of a puking dog.

ME: I love you, too.

“That’s enough of her,” I muttered, instantly putting my phone down.

Oliver raised his eyebrows. “Isadora?”

“She’s making a dog throw up because it stole bread,” I answered, sliding under the covers he was holding out. “Not the visual I wanted before I sleep.”

“So, you thought you’d share it with me?”

“Sharing is caring.”

He groaned and scooted across the bed, tugging me against his body. I rolled towards him, and as his arm slipped under my neck, I rested my head on his chest and snuggled into his side.A low hum vibrated through his body as he wrapped his arm around me and our legs tangled together, practically locking us in place.

My arm lay over his stomach, and he took my hand with his, gently toying with my fingers.

This… was annoyingly nice.

Oliver was warm, and the rhythmic beating of his heart under my head was soothing. I almost felt as if I’d fall asleep right away if I closed my eyes right now.

Which was bad.

Very, very bad.

I pushed those thoughts out of my mind and wriggled in even closer to him, and he chuckled quietly.

“Now who’s being clingy and cute?” he murmured into my hair.

“Shut your stupid mouth.” I pressed my face into his chest as he continued laughing, squeezing me against him.

“I would, but you told me I had to let you sleep.”

Of course I did.

I was not built for all-nighters.

And I had to operate heavy machinery tomorrow.

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