Page 52 of I Can't Help It

Ava and I could sleep in the same bed together. After we’ve had our first date. Our first kiss. And what would qualify as our first fight.

We shouldn’t share the bed.

There are so many reasons why we shouldn’t, and those itty-bitty pajama shorts of hers are most definitely close to the very top of my unofficial list.

“It’s not a small bed, Luke,” she states in a matter-of-fact way. “There’s enough room for both of us without getting in each other’s space. Plus, you’ve made it obvious that nothing else is going to happen between us, so why does it matter if we share the bed?”

Because I’ve already done a horrible job of resisting you.

If this is her way of punishing me, it’s working.

And since this will be the only way she’ll take the bed, I know I’m trapped.

However, once she’s asleep, I can just sneak away and crash on the couch.

It’s a solid plan. What could go wrong?

“Fine,” I agree, crossing my arms, “we can share the bed.”

There’s a flash of surprise in her eyes, but then she shrugs and gets off the couch. “Fine. We’ll share the bed.”

She grabs the pillows and the fluffy blanket, then strides back over to the bed.

My eyes betray me by checking out her backside; and with a silent groan, I hope that she falls asleep fast.

Otherwise, it’s going to be a longgggg night of being hot and bothered.

OUR EIGHT-LEGGED INTRUDER

Luke

I usually sleep shirtless. But tonight? I’m leaving my tank on.

And unlike Ava, I’m wearing flannel pajama pants. So, if our legs end up touching while I wait for her to fall asleep, I won’t be able to feel her bare skin against mine.

Just the thought of that happening sends a chill down my spine.

Ava is already laying down on one side of the bed, covered with the throw blanket, and her glasses are off. However, I hesitate while standing on the other side of the bed.

“Should we like…build a wall of pillows or something?”

I feel kind of silly for asking, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

She glances in my direction and seems to study me for a second or two. Can she really do that without her glasses though? How bad is her vision? Is she looking at my arms again?

No. Flexing.

“We can if you want to.” She oozes nonchalance as her gaze goes to the ceiling. “But I’m not worried about it. I trust you.”

And yet, I don’t know if I can trust myself.

You’re going to be on the couch anyway.

Right. My secret plan.

Well, if she doesn’t care about having a pillow wall, I guess I won’t bother with one.

I turn off the nightstand lamp on my side, then ease onto the bed. And since Ava is using that throw blanket, I slip under the other covers.

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