Page 46 of Love You From Afar

“Okay,” I surrender in a hushed tone.

“Let’s go to sleep,” he rasps. He flips over on his side so his body is facing away from mine as he pulls the covers up to his shoulders.

I follow suit, clicking off the bedside lamp before turning over so my back is also to him.

I tuck my hands beneath my head, anxiously nibbling on my lip. I don’t understand why it feels weird to fall asleep without telling him goodnight. I’ve fallen asleep peacefully for twenty-five years without wishing Everett Thompson a goodnight, but tonight just feels different.

I wonder how many lonely nights he’s had. I wonder how many nights he’s fallen asleep without someone wishing him goodnight or sweet dreams. For some reason, I want to be the person to break that pattern.

“Goodnight, Everett. Sleep tight.” My pulse hammers in my chest as the words fall from my lips in a soft whisper.

I almost regret my decision when he doesn't reply. I try to convince myself that he didn't hear me, or maybe he’d already fallen asleep. I sigh, closing my heavy eyelids as I pull the covers up over my shoulders.

Right as I’m drifting off to sleep, I hear Everett’s gravelly voice utter four words that make my heart stop.

“Goodnight. Sleep well, angel.”

* * *

I wake from sleep,my body shivering as my teeth chatter together. Going to bed with wet hair when it’s freezing outside probably wasn't my best idea. The small heater in the corner of the room isn’t doing shit to keep us warm. It feels like a fucking icebox in here.

I reach for the nightstand, grabbing my phone to check the time. Moonlight beams through the window, peaking through the thick clouds. I squint my eyes, adjusting to the bright screen as I unlock my phone.Damn, I’ve only been asleep for a little over an hour.

I place my phone back on the nightstand and roll over onto my back as I stare up at the ceiling. I clutch the blanket against my chest, the thin fabric rippling as I shiver.

“Sky,” Everett startles beside me, mumbling sleepily. “Are you alright?”

“Y-yes. I’m just c-cold,” I manage to croak through trembling lips.

Before I have a chance to blink, Everett flips over on his side to face me. He props his head up with one arm and holds the other out to me.

“Come here,” he rasps.

Am I hallucinating?

Can having a low body temperature cause you to hear things?

“W-what?” I shiver.

Instead of responding, he wraps his free arm around my back, pulling me chest to chest with him. I don’t question it. I don’t second guess it, because this is heaven. I’m never leaving this cocoon of warmth.Ever.

“Body heat, Skylar.” He rests his head on top of mine, his hot breath brushing against my ear like a heat wave. “It’s the last thing we have to keep us warm at this point,” he adds. “Everyone staying in this hell hole should get a refund. It’s too fucking cold. This has to be a health and safety violation,” he growls.

I scoot closer to him, curling my body as close to his warmth as possible. Without caring, I nuzzle my face in the crook of his neck and slip my hands beneath his sweater, using his back as my own personal heating pad.

“I-I’m sorry,” I tremble.

“What do you mean you’re sorry?” He holds me tightly against him with one arm while the other slowly skims up my back to the nape of my neck. He gently sinks his fingers into my hair, massaging the back of my head in the most soothing way.

“For waking you up.”

“I’m glad you did,” he hums, his lips brushing against my forehead as he speaks.

“Ever since the bar, I’ve been praying for any excuse to get my hands on you again,” he rasps, “to hold you in my arms… And this is a pretty damn good one.”

Fuck.

Suddenly, I’ve completely forgotten about the frigid air filling the room. I’m thankful that my head is buried in his neck right now because it muffles the small moan slipping from my lips. I’ve wanted this man for so long, and I have a feeling that this is killing him as much as it is me.

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