I propped myself up on my elbows and looked over at him.“I want to be asleep.”
“Then close your eyes and go to sleep.”His tone was gruff, but there was amusement tucked underneath it, like he found my irritation entertaining.Which, honestly, was rude.
I dropped back onto the pillow and crossed my arms over my chest.“Maybe I’ve slept so much the past week that I’ve met my quota.”
“Met your quota?”he repeated, laughter clear in his voice now.
“Yes.You can only sleep so much before your body’s like, no thanks, we’re done.”I nodded to myself like this was a solid scientific fact.“I’ve used up all my sleep.”
“You’re crazy, baby.”
I cracked one eye open and glanced at him.He was still staring at the TV, lips curved in a faint smile.
“Why aren’tyousleeping?”I asked.
“Because you’re not sleeping.”
I frowned.“You only sleep if I’m sleeping?”
He nodded once, like that settled it.“I also try to only go to the bathroom when you’re sleeping or occupied by one of the girls.”
I wrinkled my nose, thinking back.“You do do that.”
“I know,” he said calmly.“I just told you I do.”
“Well… now I feel bad.”
He exhaled, then planted his feet on the floor.The TV clicked off, plunging the room into deeper darkness.My breath hitched before I could stop it.
Ender stood.
Shirtless.
My eyes immediately betrayed me, sliding over him without permission.The broad span of his shoulders.The way his muscles shifted as he stretched.The faint lines of ink along his ribs and arms.The soft shadows carved by the low light made him look unfairly good.
I swallowed and licked my lips.“What are you doing?”
He crossed the room in a few easy steps and stopped beside the bed, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck.“I’m sick of sleeping on that damn couch,” he said, his voice low.“And I’m gonna help you fall asleep.”
Heat bloomed in my chest, sliding downward in a way that made me acutely aware of how close he was standing.
“Why didn’t you tell me the couch was uncomfortable?”I asked, my voice softer now.
He winced slightly.“For one night it’s not bad.But more than that and it sucks.”
He looked down at me, expression thoughtful.Assessing.
“Uh,” I said quickly, nerves creeping in.“You can sleep in the bed, and I can take the couch tonight.”
He shook his head immediately.“Not gonna let you screw your back up too.”
“Well, you’re not going to keep doing it.”
He didn’t answer.Just looked at me in that way that made me feel like he was seeing things I hadn’t said out loud.
“What are you thinking?”I asked.
“Shit I shouldn’t be,” he muttered.