Page 75 of Away With You
Drawing in a deep breath, I rush to Nathan, kneeling on the floor next to him. “How are you doing?”
He peels one eye open. “Eh, I’m better now.”
“Do you want anything?” I’ve never been drunk before, but as a biologist, I know that alcohol inhibits water reabsorption by suppressing antidiuretic hormone, leading to increased urine production and water loss. So, the best and only thing that will help him now is…more water.
He groans and doesn’t answer.
I shift closer, smoothing his hair away from his forehead. “Was the Stag Do awful?”
His eyes are glued to the ceiling. “I can’t believe he’s doing it; you know? He’s marrying her.”
My heart thumps in my ears, and I brace myself to ask the question that’s been plaguing me since we started this whole charade. “Because you still have feelings for her? For Victoria?”
His handsome face twists into a scowl. “I’ll never get over it…”
I hold my breath waiting for him to finish his train of thought. “Nathan…?” I probe when he remains silent. “You’ll never get over her?”
He rolls towards me, the expression on his face shifting like someone had just changed the TV channel. “You’re pretty,” he says, ignoring my question. “So, so pretty.” He lurches upright and runs an unsteady hand through my hair. “And you have the prettiest hair.”
My stomach flips, and I bite my lip to stop from pressing him for answers. To get him to finish his drunken confession. “Ah, Nathan. You don’t know what you’re saying.”
His bottom lip juts out in an adorable pout. “I too do.”
Unable to help myself, I giggle, and he beams. “Oh, really? You too do?”
He nods, not noticing his mistake, while running a hand up and over my hair again. “Yeah, so, so pretty,” he whispers.
I freeze, my face inches from his. So close I can see lighter flakes of gold around the pupils in his eyes.How had I not noticed this before?
Before I can do anything like take advantage of the drunk man in front of me, a man who just confessed to still mourning his breakup, I lean back and stand up. “Come on, big man. Time for bed.”
He takes my offered hands but stays seated. “No can do.”
I sigh. He’s a troublesome drunk. “Nathan, I think the best thing for you to do is get some sleep.”
“I’ll sleep here.” To illustrate his words, he flops back down sideways, looking comically large on the tiny couch.
I try again, tugging on the hands still in mine. “You’ll be more comfortable in the bed.”
He groans. “I know I will, Kitty Kat. But I just can’t do it.”
Now I’m lost. “Do what?”
“Wake up with you in my arms,” he mutters with his eyes closed.
I freeze, my blood running cold. “What did you say?”
“Bed. You. Wrapped. Around. Me,” he slurs.
His words hit me like a gut punch. All the words. Too many words. Contrary to my belief and also in line with the ‘only one bed’ trope, Ihavebeen migrating to his side of the bed every night. Only in this scenario, when he wakes to find me there, he’s been putting me back every morning.
So, this is what it’s like to die a slow, humiliating death?
“How about I promise to stay on my side of the bed tonight?” I desperately barter with his almost sleeping form. “Does that work?”
He shakes his head with a restless “No,” and I give up the negotiating. There’s no way he’s sleeping on this couch tonight because I can’t respect his boundaries while I sleep. One way or another, we’re getting him into that bed. And it will be my needy,greedy arse who will take the couch. Wrapped up nice and tight with my pure mortification and utter despair to keep me warm the whole night through.
CHAPTER 20
