Page 76 of Broken Dreams
She’s so beautiful.
Even like this.
When I brush my fingers against her cheek, her eyelids flutter open. “We’re not in the tub?”
“No.” I chuckle.
“My ass hurt anyway.”
At least she’s a funny drunk. “Get some sleep. I’ll come over in the morning to check on you.”
Her fingers wrap around my wrist. “Don’t leave. Stay with me.”
“What?” I ask, unsure if she’s even aware of what she’s saying.
“I don’t want you to leave me. You make everything better. Stay the night.”
There’s a rasp, a desperation in her voice that rips at my heart. “Addy, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
However, she shifts, arm extended to me. “Please, Grady, just lie next to me. Don’t . . . don’t let me be alone.”
I don’t know that I can deny her anything, but especially not with how she’s looking at me, like I’m the only person who can make this okay for her. I nod once and move to the other side of the bed before climbing in next to her. I settle on my side so I’m facing her, and she does the same. Her big dress makes a crinkling noise as she adjusts her legs.
“I thought you were asleep,” I say quietly, just in case she is.
“I was.” She snuggles closer so her cheek is resting on my chest, and I wrap her close to me, pressing my lips to the top of her head. “But I didn’t want you to leave, which is stupid.” She yawns.
“Why is it stupid?”
The truth is, I didn’t want to leave her. I want to hold her while she’s hurting and feeling alone.
“Because you aren’t real.”
“I think I’m real.”
She sighs, tightening her arms. “You are.”
I kiss the top of her head, pulling her to my chest and whisper as she relaxes against me. “Sleep, dove, I’ll take care of you and chase your dreams away.”
* * *
I feel a hand snaking up my chest and I grin, shifting to my side. God, that feels good. Her hands move higher, up my neck, and I find myself moving closer to the touch.
There is a soft floral and fruit scent around me and I inhale deeply, letting it flood my senses. Before I can place it, a warm body is against mine, lips on my neck, and then I hear a moan.
So fucking sexy.
But that perfume, I know it. It’s not too powerful and has a musky undertone that’s sexy and warm.
Like she is.
And then I know why I know it. I know who it belongs to.
Addison.
That scent is...
Before I can breathe, she goes stiff in my arms and pulls back. Her eyes are wide, as are mine, and she gasps.
