Page 61 of Panther's Magpie
“There’s a bathroom through there. You can go freshen up. I’ll make the bed,” I tell her, looking at how the blankets are thrown all about.
I cringe at the idea that she saw my bed like this. I never saw much sense in making the bed every day when you sleep in it every night. Now I wish I had.
This place probably looks like a bachelor pad to her.
If it does, she is kind enough not to say anything. Instead she walks into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
I quickly make the bed, then wait for her to emerge. When she does, her face is free of tears.
I hold open the comforter and help her get into bed.
“I’ll be downstairs if you need me,” I tell her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Before I can pull away, she grabs my arm. “Will you stay? At least until I fall asleep? I don’t like being alone, especially after a nightmare.”
My heart leaps in my chest. I should deny her. Sharing a bed with her is too much too soon. She is not in her right mind.
Yet, I find myself turning off the light before sliding into the other side of the bed. She scoots closer, pressing her foot against my shin.
“Is this okay? I sleep better if I’m touching someone,” she admits softly.
I move closer to her, opening my arms. “Then come over here.”
My eyes have adjusted to the moonlight spilling in through the skylight above the bed. She looks at me with conflict in her eyes. After a moment, she moves over, her body molding to mine as she settles her head against my chest.
“This is like a log cabin. Did you build it yourself?” she whispers in the dark.
“Along with some of the other guys,” I tell her, my fingers finding their way into her hair.
“You got the logs from the lumberyard?” she asks.
“I did. Since I didn’t want to take away from the club’s profits, Eagle and I went and cut them ourselves. How did you know about the lumberyard?” I ask her.
“Lisa mentioned it. That’s where we are getting the lumber to rebuild the houses that burned down.”
I love that she is involved in that.
“I’m glad you are helping the girls with that. I think it’s good for you to make some friends,” I tell her.
“I have a friend. Aspen,” she tells me, her fingers moving on my chest.
I realize she is drawing on my skin.
“You do, but it’s okay to have more than one friend. I want you to be happy here. I hope we find Aspen soon, but I can’t let you go home until I do. That’s if you even want to go home,” I admit softly.
“You won’t make me go?” she asks, her fingers freezing on my chest.
“I won’t. This can be a dangerous place, but I think you fit in here. If you want to stay, then we will make it happen,” I promise her.
She is quiet for several moments, but I know she hasn’t fallen asleep. Her fingers have gone back to drawing images on my chest, making my dick awaken at the thought of the beautiful bombshell of a woman I have been daydreaming about being in my bed.
“Even if Aspen wants me to go?” she finally asks.
“You will always have a place here, Magpie. Even if Aspen hates it,” I whisper back.
She finally relaxes into me. After about fifteen minutes, her breathing evens out. Leaning down, I press a kiss to the top of her head.
I shouldn’t be making promises to her, but I can’t stop myself. I’m afraid the train has already left the station and is full force ahead.
