Page 113 of Catch You

“Harlow?” I whisper, thinking she might be awake, but I get no reply.

With her in my arms once again, I soon drift off into a peaceful sleep alongside her.

27

HARLOW

When I wake, I feel better than I have in days—until I try to stretch my legs out and find that I can’t. Something, or someone, is in the way.

Brooke never cuddl …fuck.

Cracking one eye open, I risk a look at the arm that’s wrapped tightly around my waist.

It’s definitely too hairy and tattooed to belong to Brooke.

“Morning,” he murmurs in his deep, husky voice, and I tense.

“C-Corey, what are you doing?”

“Well, I was sleeping, until you turned into stone beneath me. Relax,” he encourages, pulling me deeper into his body.

I allow it, but only because it feels too damn good after so long. I’ve craved this feeling. The contentment, the feeling of safety that comes only when I’m in his arms.

“W-why are you here?”

“Because you need me, and because we need to talk.”

“I never said I needed?—”

“Shh.” His lips press to my bare shoulder, and I shudder. It’s such a simple move, but I feel it all the way down to my toes. “I’m so sorry for freaking out. I was blindsided by it, and my anger took over.”

“I was just trying to help,” I whisper back.

“I know. I know I should have been thanking you, not shouting at you. I just … I’m not used to anyone helping me out, and I didn’t know how to deal with it.”

“I should have talked to you about it.”

“Yes.” His lips press against my heated skin once again. “You.” Kiss. “Should.” Kiss. “Have.”

My heart begins to race as heat floods my core. It’s a welcome relief from the sickness I seem to get every morning right now. That thought has a lead weight settling in my belly.

He’s right. We have a lot to talk about.

As much as I want to do this with the barrier that’s between us right now, my need to look into his eyes has me flipping over in his arms.

“Hey,” he whispers, his blue eyes twinkling with delight and naughty thoughts.

“Hey.” Everything inside me relaxes, just knowing that he’s here. Everything that I’ve been through in the past week or so feels that much easier to bear.

“I’m so sorry about your aunt, Harlow.”

I nod, a huge lump forming once again in my throat. Will losing her ever get easier, or will I forever picture her lying in that hospital bed in her final minutes?

“I’ve been here almost every day trying to see you, trying to tell you how sorry I am. I should have pushed harder. I’m sorry.”

“N-no, it’s okay. I didn’t want … I couldn’t …” I sigh, not able to find the right words to express how I’ve felt the past few days.

“It’s okay. I get it.”

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