Page 46 of A Perfect Match
"I’m afraid to," I admit."Every time I close my eyes, I imagine what she went through at the bakery."
Without a word, he repositions himself on the lounger so he’s leaning all the way back and opens his arms.I hesitate only a moment before settling against his chest, my head tucked under his chin.
"Sleep," he murmurs, arranging the blanket over top of us."I've got you.I’m here."
And somehow, despite everything, I fall asleep in his arms.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
KRU
There’s a certain point in the night when the blanket no longer cuts it.My breath comes out in little white puffs on every exhale as I slowly wake up.We’ve been out here for hours, my stiff limbs inform me.My gaze drifts up to the inky black sky illuminated by the perfectly round and brilliant full moon.I slip my phone out of my pocket and check the time.It’s one a.m.My right arm has gone numb where Piper rests against it, but I wouldn't move for anything.
Not when she looks so peaceful.The worry tugging at her face all night has finally smoothed out, her breathing deep and even.One of her hands is curled into the fabric of my T-shirt as if she's making sure I don't slip away.
She doesn’t know it, but I'm not going anywhere.
I've known this woman for barely two months, but something about her has burrowed in deep.Sure, I fell in love with her during that first night in Cleveland, but it’s everything else I’ve learned about her since that has me desperate for more.
She stirs, eyelashes fluttering against her cheeks before she blinks awake.For a moment, she seems confused, her gaze darting around until it settles on my face.
"You should go inside," I say softly.“It’s getting cold.”
Reality crashes back in.I can see it happening—the brief disorientation, then remembrance, the flash of grief tightening her features.
"I fell asleep," She pushes her tangled hair back from her face, which causes the blanket to slip off her shoulders."I didn't mean to keep you out here all night."
"You didn't keep me anywhere I didn't want to be."
She looks like she doesn't quite believe me, but she doesn't argue.Instead, she wraps her arms around herself.I drape the blanket back around her shoulders.She blinks, still groggy for a few moments, then hurries to check her phone.She swipes through screens, nibbling on her bottom lip.
"Mom's in ICU, Griff went in to see her about two hours ago.”A shaky sigh escapes her.“She’s still in a coma but she’s stable."She sets her phone down, drawing a deep breath.“It feels like a win.Or maybe a loss.I can’t tell.”
“It’s too soon to tell.Which means you need to sleep while you can.”
She peeks up at me through her eyelashes."That sounds like a good idea, I guess."
“You need help making it to your bed?”I’m not making a move.I mean it honestly.Though I can’t help but think about all the dishonest intentions that being in her bed would facilitate.Now is not the time.
I can be a friend to her.Even if I want so much more than that.
Her throat bobs.“Maybe.”
“Say no more, Maven.”I sweep her into my arms, hoisting her easily.A soft giggle escapes her, and she clutches my biceps as I pull open the sliding glass door.The house is dark inside, and I fumble around for a moment.
“Head to that hallway over there.”She points with her foot.
Once my eyes adjust to the low lighting, offered solely by the full moon high in the sky outside, I realize this place looks suspiciously like mine.In the narrow hallway, there are three doors: two bedrooms and a bathroom at the end, just like my rental.
“Which one are you?”I ask.
“This one.”She points to the righthand door with her foot, and I push it open with my shoulder.A chaotic bedroom greets us, shadowy clothing piles on the floor, nightstand covered with jewelry, half-open luggage strewn around.I’m the cause of this chaos, I’m aware.I gently set her down on the bed, and her eyes flutter shut for a moment.
“Sleep tight,” I tell her, my voice pinched.I want to stay.I don’t know why, but I do.Things just feel right with her in my arms.It makes no fucking sense, but here we are.
She blinks slowly, then reaches for my hand.
“Stay with me.”She says it so quietly I wonder if I even heard it.But it has to be real, because when I slip into the bed and bury myself under the covers alongside her, she hums with pleasure.
