Page 126 of Off Camera
I’d be an idiot to say no.
After we climbed out of the tub, I gave her an old robe I found in my closet. I bundled her up with a pair of sweatpants and thick socks. I made her pancakes and sat by her side while she ate every bite.
An hour later, and she still won’t stop shaking.
I’m so fucking scared.
Have I done enough?
Have I done too much?
What the fuck do I do now?
“What else do you need?” I tuck a wet piece of hair behind her ear. I can’t stop touching her. I can’t stop making sure she’s okay. “Do you want me to grab your computer from your place? You can work here today.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I emailed my boss and told him I’m taking a personal day.”
“Good. I’m off today too. You can stay as long as you want. Or until I annoy the shit out of you.”
“You always annoy the shit out of me,” she teases.
“Figured as much. The feeling is mutual, Sinclair,” I say, but there’s no heat behind it.
“Thank you for letting me stay. It’s nice to have some company.”
“You’re talking about the plants, aren’t you?”
Her dimpled smile reassures me she’s okay. “Did you have plans today?”
“A few errands to run. Maverick, Dallas, and I were going to get lunch, but we rescheduled. It worked out, though. June has a cold, and Dallas is staying with her while she’s home from school.”
“Oh.” Avery frowns. She pulls her legs to her chest and rests her chin on her knees. “Part of our agreement is mentioning if someone is being too suffocating. Am I taking up too much of your time?”
“No fucking way. I’d tell you if you were. You know I’m blunt, Avery, and you’ve never taken up too much of my time.”
Take up more of it, I find myself thinking.Stay all day. Tomorrow and the next day, too.
“Okay.” She nods and bites her bottom lip. “I have a question for you.”
“What is it?”
“It’s something I’ve been wanting to ask for a while now, but I’m not sure how you’ll take it.”
I pause and squint at her. “It’s anal, isn’t it? I’m open to the idea, just as long as it doesn’t hurt you or?—”
She bursts out laughing, and it’s the first time I’ve seen her relax since I found her in that coffee shop. “It’s not anal, though I’m open to the idea. I’m surprised you haven’t tried it yet.”
“Uh, because common courtesy tells me that should involve a fucking conversation before it happens?” I say. “Seems rude to just… go for it.”
“We’re coming back to this.” Avery reaches out and takes my hand. “Can I raid your comic book collection? I’ve been dying to read something from your shelves, but I wasn’t sure if that was too forward of me. I’m sure you’re protective of them and?—”
I pull her into my lap and kiss her. I cup her cheeks with both of my hands and she hums against my mouth. She drapes her arms around my neck and runs her fingers through my hair.
“You didn’t have to ask,” I say. “No one’s wanted to borrow one before, and the answer is an automatic yes.”
“Really? But you love comic books,” she says.
“I know.”
