Page 87 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

Alex

When I wake up for the fourth time this morning, her head’s still on my chest, and now one of her legs is slung over my body. My arms are wrapped around her with my head resting on top of hers. I’m checking to see if she’s breathing again when I finally feel her head moving.

I smile at her as she peeks up at me. “Good morning. Did you sleep better last night?”

“So much,” she says, yawning. “I seriously think I might have passed out. What time is it?”

“About nine.” I pull her completely on top of my chest so our stomachs are pressed together. “I’ve been awake for a couple of hours, but I didn’t want to wake you.”

“A couple of hours?” She yawns again and lays her head back on my chest. “Why didn’t you move me?”

“I’ve been in and out of this bed three times,” I laugh. “Every time I get back in, you wind yourself around me like an octopus—somehow without waking up. I’m not even sure how that’s possible. You’re a deep sleeper.”

“I’m not normally.” She stops when her stomach growls loudly again. It’s been doing that for the last half hour. “I’m starving.”

“I figured that’s why you finally woke up. Do you want to order room service?”

She rolls off me and stands up. “I don’t think I can wait that long. Let’s go down to the restaurant. I can grab a banana on the way.”

“The restaurant? In public? Are you going to sit at the same table with me?”

“Will you let me have your bacon?”

She starts pulling on her swimsuit underneath my T-shirt. She looks so cute in it. It almost comes down to her knees.

“I promise I’ll order plenty of bacon for both of us.”

She crawls back over and straddles me. “Okay, then I’ll sit with you.”

“So you don’t mind being seen with me anymore?” I say as I run my hands up and down her arms.

“I never minded being seen with you,” she says, collapsing back down on my chest. “I’m just a private person.”

“And why has that changed?”

“Because today is our last full day here,” she whispers, “and I don’t want to be away from you for any of it. I know I sound like a clingy mess, but you told me to be honest with you and that’s what I’m feeling right now.”

I hug her and kiss the top of her head. “That’s what I’m feeling, too, baby. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to leave you tomorrow. Why don’t you come to Puerto Rico with me for a little bit? My family would love you.”

She sits back up as her stomach growls again. “I’d love that, but I can’t. I have to get back to Virginia and pack. I’m moving right after the holidays. I have so much to do. What are you doing when you get back from Puerto Rico? Maybe come and see me.”

“I’m going to be with my family through the holidays. Are you going back to Chicago?”

“Not for Thanksgiving, but probably Christmas.” She takes a deep breath. “So I guess after tomorrow, we’re not going to see each other for a long time—or maybe ever.”

“We’re going to see each other again. I’ll make sure of that. I promise.”

“Okay,” she says, looking away from me. “Can we get breakfast? I’m starting to get combative again.”

“We’ll see each other again,” I say, taking her chin and making her look at me. “There’s no question about that. We just have to figure out how. Okay?”

She nods as she stands up again and pulls me up with her.

I pull on my swim trunks and a fresh T-shirt. “Let’s get you fed before your body and mind start breaking down.”

“I guess this is what I’m wearing since I don’t want to go back to my room,” she says as she slides into her flip-flops. “And somehow you let my cover-up get washed away in the tide last night.”

“It was your idea to go for a midnight skinny dip.”

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