Page 76 of Fall I Want
She immediately smiles.
“You can have my bed,” I offer.
“And where will you sleep?”
I pat the cushion next to me. “Right here.”
Chapter 17
Autumn
He stands, holding out his hand to me. “I’ll tuck you in.”
We take the stairs together and turn down the long hallway to the double Gothic doors, then I walk inside. Zane pushes the blankets down for me and I sit on the edge of the mattress.
“One second,” I tell him, going to his closet and grabbing something out of my pocket. I keep it tight in my hand and move directly in front of him.
His brows are lifted as he watches me. “Happy birthday,” I tell him, opening my palm and offering him my four-leaf clover.
He gives me a wide smile, showing his perfect teeth. “You remembered?”
“Of course. I found that when I was a kid and my mom had it laminated for me. It feels right for you to have it. I hope it brings you all the luck in the world.”
“Autie. I can’t take this.”
“You can. I thought about what I could give the man who has everything. It’s something money can never buy.”
He wraps his arms around me and holds me against his chest. I inhale his bare skin. “Thank you. I’ll treasure it for the rest of my life.”
“Good. I didn’t know how to sneak a cupcake in my pocket for you to have at midnight.”
“Tomorrow, we’ll have cake,” he tells me, stepping aside, allowing me to crawl into his bed. The sheets are cold.
“Good night,” he says, flicking off the main light and turning on the lamp.
“You can stay,” I say, glancing up at him.
“Don’t worry about me. The couch is super comfortable. I’ve fallen asleep on it once per day since I arrived. Plus, there are three extra bedrooms. This house has plenty of places for me to sleep.”
“It’s not that. It’s just . . .”
“Please tell me the horror movie queen isn’t scared.” With a half grin, he shoves his hands into his pockets and I try not to admire his shirtless body.
Instead, I grab one of his fluffy pillows and toss it at him, but he’s fast with his reflexes and catches it.
“Fine. I am! I don’t want to stay here by myself in this big ole house knowing there is a ghost wandering around. Even if it’s friendly.”
Just as he opens his mouth to speak, the bedroom door snaps shut behind him. He glances at it over his shoulder and I grow more creeped out with each passing second. I nearly jump out of my skin.
“What the hell?” I whisper, my blood pumping faster as my adrenaline spikes. “Please, don’t leave me.”
I meet his eyes and his expression softens. Three steps later, he’s sitting next to me on the mattress. “The doors are heavy, and if they’re not closed, the draft in the house does that. It happens every day.”
“Or maybe it’s a sign that you shouldn’t go?”
He sighs. “If it will make you more comfortable, but you have to promise to stay on your side of the bed and keep your hands to yourself.”
I make a face. “You expect me to control dream me?”
