Page 50 of Every Bit As Perfect
“That’s fine.We’ll order in.”
Hours later, stretched out on my couch with my feet in his lap, my chest rising and falling evenly while the television droned on in the background, and I watched him sleep.
We were poised at the beginning of something sweet but fragile.
Something less flirtatious.
Something deeper.
A double frown line marred his forehead.
He looked tired.
Vulnerable.
I carefully pulled my feet from his lap and sat up.“Daire, come to bed.”The words popped out of my mouth before my brain could analyze them.
But it was late.
He was tired.
And so was I.
We would sleep.Sleep and nothing more because I was already in deeper with him than I’d ever been with anybody else.
And I wasn’t yet sure I would be able to keep myself afloat.
He blinked at me blearily then scrubbed his hands over his face.“You okay?”
“I’m good.Are you okay?”I asked worriedly.
He nodded and stood up.“Come here, little one,” he murmured gruffly.Bending, he wrapped his arms around me and lifted me against his chest.“Wrap your legs around me.”
My heart pounded in my chest.“Daire—”
“Just going to cuddle you, little spitfire.You can push me away again in the morning.But tonight, you’re going to let me hold you.”
I relaxed in his hold.
Happy for him to take the reins.
He pulled back the covers and laid me down on the bed before stripping down to his boxers and sliding in behind me.
Pulling me into his chest and the shelter of his arms, his breathing evened out almost immediately.
For the first time since losing Hunter, I didn’t feel lonely.
But when I woke the next morning, he was gone.
16
Honesty
Noonehadtheright to look as good as he did.When Daire walked out of the men’s changing room at seven a.m.Tuesday morning, he drew my gaze like a magnet.Tall, lean, broad shoulders, hair pulled back, God, he was so pretty.
I was already on deck waiting for the swim team to trickle in.The last time I’d seen him or spoken to him was right before he slid into my bed on Sunday night.I wasn’t sure where things stood between us, and even less sure of where I wanted them to be.
Maybe I’d had too much time to think over the past two days.
