Page 107 of Oblivion

As if my thoughts conjured the very person who currently made my life anything other thanmundane,my bedroom door coasted open. I lifted my head to see Penny peering through in the grainy shadows.

“What are you doin’, Lemon Drop?”

“I, uh… I can’t sleep.”

The sheet pooled around my waist as I sat up. “Are you cold? I can grab you some extra blankets—”

“I’m not cold.”

“Okay…”

Penny inched into my room. “I just can’t stop thinking about everything and it’s got me paranoid about someone breaking in here. What if you weren’t here, and…” she trailed off.

A pang cut through my chest and my shoulders relaxed. With a soft tone, I comforted her from a safe distance.

“You’re safe here, Penny. There’s literally no way anyone can get up here. Even if they somehow did, I’d stop them before they got to your room.”

“Rationally, I know that, but I keep getting this horrible sense that someone is watching me. It’s unsettling.”

“Babe.” I sighed. “I promise you’ve got nothing to be scared about.”

The panicked glance she shot toward the open door didn’t escape my attention, and she inched closer.

“Can I sleep with you?”

I ran a hand down my face. While every part of my body screamedyes,my head urged caution.

“That’s a really bad idea, Penny.”

She raised her palms. “No touching. If I was at my place, I’d sneak into Vivi’s bed.”

“Why Vivi’s?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Penny made a flippant gesture. “Lydia kicks around in her sleep. It’s really annoying. Besides, she lives with her boyfriend now.” She then gave me her best puppy dog look, complete with pouted bottom lip.

“Please,Dante. Just for tonight. I can sleep on the floor,” she hastily added when I opened my mouth to deny her ass.

Instead of sending her out of my room like I should have, I found myself flicking back the covers.

“Fine. Just for one night. But this isnotthe new status quo.”

“Oh, thank you,” she breathed out, and rushed to the far side of my bed.

The long-haired beauty wriggled her way between my sheets, as well as further into my heart. When she finally got comfortable with the covers pulled over her shoulders, she peered up at me and smiled.

“It’s so comfy here.”

Snorting instead of chuckling like I wanted to, I laid back down. “Don’t get used to it, jailbait. This is a one night only offer.”

“Just like last time, but without the sex.”

“Exactly.”

I stared at the ceiling for a moment until I couldn’tnotlook at her. When I rolled my head her way, I wasn’t surprised to find her studying my profile.

“If you’re going to sleep in here, you’ve gotta stop watching me. It’s creepy.”

Penny giggled and snuggled further into the plush pillow. A content sigh breathed from her nose as her eyes locked with mine.

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