Page 12 of Bonded By Christmas
I step over in front of the toilet and place her on her feet, leaning her against my chest for support.
She grabs my arms as I bend to help pull down her panties and pajama pants. “I’m pretty sure this is a weird dream, but just in case it’s not, I can do it myself.”
I can do it myselfsends a goddamn shiver down my spine. Once we have an established dynamic, she’ll only bust out statements like that if she wants to go over my knee. Well, that or she’s serious about wanting a moment to herself, and I would fully respect her safe word.
Bratting just to see what happens is another story entirely. She also didn’t flat-out tell me tofuck off, so I’ll take it.
“I figured you’d say something like that, but I had to try.” I smirk, shrugging as her eyes widen. “Don’t forget to wash your hands.” I step back slowly to make sure she won’t topple over and stride out. Leaning against the wall just outside the bathroom, I pull the door to the frame without clicking it closed.
She doesn’t bother stepping over to close it completely, and I grin like a fucking lunatic.
Maybe she’s just too tired to fight me… Or maybe she’s the kind of person who craves being looked after.
I really hope it’s the second.
It doesn’t take long before the toilet flushes and the water at the sink turns on. I don’t wait for her to make it to me, I push the door open and peek in.
Lacey grumbles under her breath as she dries off her hands on a hand towel. I can’t make out most of it, but I think she rambles about being confused.
I’ll bet she is.
She spins around and exits the room, and I wrap my arm around her lower back. I should have reminded her to brush her teeth, but that likely would have woken her up fully to the point she wouldn’t be able to fall back to sleep easily.
We make it to the edge of the mattress, and she climbs on. Grabbing the blanket, I pull it up, tucking it around her sides.
“You’re going to leave after you promised to protect me from the nightmares?” she asks, frowning.
I’m not sure how anyone could deny her anything.
“Scoot over for me, sweet girl.” I nod toward the middle of the bed. “If you want me in your bed, I’m between you and the door. I can’t stick around all night. I’ve got work, but I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”
“Okay,” she says around a yawn as she flips over onto her side to face the middle of the bed.
I chuckle, climb under the blanket, and spoon her sexy ass all over again.
“Night, Callum.”
“Sleep tight, Lace.” I wrap my arm around her middle and remind myself I absolutely cannot fall asleep.
It’s five-fifteen in the morning before my vibrating phone wakes me. I have no desire to pry myself out of bed from next to the snuggly little omega, but I already know I’m in for it.
I shove my feet into my boots, without bothering to lace them, and toss my belt over my shoulder as I head to Lacey’s front door. I’ve ignored my phone for this long because I didn’t want it to wake her if I had to talk.
I pull the device from my pocket as I tug open her door, preparing to lock it behind me.
The last thing I expect to run into is Wilder on his knees with a lock-picking set in hand. I’m so distracted by him that I miss the meaty fist flying at my face until it’s too late to duck or block the hit.
Fucking Grim.
Jesus.
He didn’t even pull the punch like a friend should do.
My head whips to the side, and I struggle to keep my phone from going flying.
“You son of a bitch,” Wilder whisper-hisses.
Yeah, both of them are going to be mighty pissed. My assignment was technically to watch over Lacey with no close contact, meaning she was never supposed to know that I exist.
