Page 62 of Broken King

Not this moment. Not this time.

At least not until my eyes get heavy.

I think about saying something, about getting up and driving home. But instead, I decide to just close my eyes for a minute. Just a minute to rest. That’s all I need.

Somewhere in the back of my consciousness, I’m aware I’m moving.

At least I think I am.

But I don’t care.

I’m comfortable and warm, wrapped up in the salt-water scent of Cade.

Just a few more minutes.

Then I’ll go home.

I usually don’t like being warm when I sleep. But the weight and warmth of the blanket feel like heaven tonight, pulling me back under. When I slide my hand to burrow under my pillow, I realize my head isn’t resting on a pillow.

No. My hand is moving against bare skin.

I slowly force one eye open but can’t make out much in the dark.

It takes a moment for the fog to lift before I remember falling asleep earlier on Cade’s couch.

Then a sexy, gravelly, sleepy voice whispers in the dark, “Stop thinking so hard, duchess. You were asleep. I didn’t want to wake you up to drive home tired. You’re in my t-shirt. And nothing happened. Any questions?”

I pull the shirt up to my nose and inhale the scent.

“Did you just sniff me?” He pulls me against him with his palm resting under the shirt I’m wearing.

I lay stiff for a moment, caught between the desire to run and the need to stay. “Why do you always smell like the ocean breeze? The beach is over an hour away.”

“It’s my bodywash.” The arm I’m lying on circles around my waist, giving Cade the chance to lay his palm flat on my stomach. “Go back to sleep, Scarlet. The alarm’s set for five. Unless you need to get up earlier, we’ve got two more hours.”

“Five works.” I hesitate. “Thanks, Cade.” I try to force my body to rest.

“For what?”

Glad I can’t see his eyes, I lay a truth on the line. “For taking care of me.” I place a kiss on his bare chest over his heart.

“I like taking care of you, Scarlet.” His lips press down against the top of my head, promising so many things without saying a word, and I relax in his arms. “Now, sleep. You need it. Your body’s working hard, keeping our baby safe. I’ll wake you up in a few hours.”

Keeping our baby safe...

One day, I’ll have to tell him I haven’t always done a good job of that.

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