Page 36 of You Kissed Me First

I’m even more confused when he doesn’t try to sleep beneath the sheets with me. Instead, I can tell when he slides into his own makeshift bed on the couch.

It doesn’t take him long to fall into a deep sleep, his breathing evening out.

Still, I lie awake wondering what the heck is happening.

* * *

A flashof light startles me awake. I sit straight up, looking toward the balcony door.

There’s a storm, causing the boat to sway from side to side.

I hate storms. On land, I can usually get through them just fine, but being on a ship? In the open sea?

Yeah, I’m about to lose my shit.

Jumping out of bed, I try to quietly pace as my heart races. A crack of thunder has my nerves feel like they are on the fritz.

I glance over to Dominic to see if he’s woken up, but he hasn’t. He’s still sound asleep.

Asshole.

He’s on his side, though. Maybe if I crawled between him and the back of the couch, I could lie with him for a bit.

Lying with Nessa always helped me when I was a kid.

Deciding it’s worth the risk, I crawl onto the couch before slipping under his blanket with him. When I settle, I look at his sleeping face. He hasn’t moved, so I press my head into his chest, inhaling his scent.

It doesn’t take all my anxiety away, but his warmth mixed with his smell has me feeling a little better.

Then his arm snakes around my hip, pulling me in closer as he tucks my head under his.

“It’s okay, Katie. Get some rest. I’m here.” His voice is thick with sleep.

“I hate storms,” I whisper to him.

I feel his lips press into my hair. “You have nothing to be scared of. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I don’t say anything else. I’m not sure how to process this new feeling. Something about him makes me feel safe. Like he really can protect me from anything.

With that knowledge, I let myself fall to sleep in his arms.

8

DAY FOUR: SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

The first thingI notice when I wake up is that there is a weight on my chest.

Blinking my eyes open, I look down.

Katie.

I vaguely remember her crawling onto the couch with me last night. Something about the storm spooked her.

Glancing over toward the balcony door, I let out a relieved breath. Whatever storm had come through is obviously done.

Glancing back down at the woman in my arms, I try to decide what to do. I really need to get up and go work out, but disturbing her is the last thing I want to do. Especially if she didn’t sleep well.

Brushing her hair from her face, I smile. She’s beautiful.

---