To memorize every single one.
Nora shifted in her sleep and nestled closer, her hips nudging back so her butt pressed more firmly against my hips.
And even though I tried not to notice, my body responded instantly to the movement, heat coiling low in my stomach before I could stop it. I held still, breathing through it, trying not to be the guy who woke her up because he couldn’t control his own reaction.
Was she waking up yet?
I glanced at her face again, searching for any sign that she was regaining consciousness.
But she wasn’t.
She was still very much asleep, just peaceful.
And that made my chest tighten in a way that had nothing to do with nerves.
It felt nice to know that she felt comfortable enough with me to be able to sleep so soundly.
But even though she seemed to be okay with everythingright now, the questions were still there, lined up and waiting for me the second she opened her eyes.
Would she still be okay with waking up like this?
Would she still want me when the morning made everything clearer?
Or would daylight make her wish she could rewind the whole night and pretend it never happened?
I thought about the kiss again, letting myself replay it for a beat longer.
Two weeks ago, even the idea of kissing her had sent me spiraling. The dream that I had on the night of Ian and Maddie’s wedding had messed with my head for days—like my grief had decided to weaponize my own desire.
Like wanting something again meant I was doing something wrong.
So I braced for it now, waiting for the guilt to rush in. Waiting for my stomach to twist. For that cold, punishing sense of betrayal.
But it didn’t come.
Instead, I felt calm.
Steady.
Grateful.
Like some part of me had finally learned the difference between moving forward and leaving someone behind.
But even with how good I felt about the kiss and everything we’d done, I was also thankful that we’d been able to stop before things had gone further. Because as much as my body had wanted to keep going, the rest of me knew if we’d crossed that next line last night, I might have woken up panicked. Spinning. Second-guessing everything.
But this?
Having her in my arms with her fingers still laced with mine, itfelt right.
Like we were starting something that didn’t need to be rushed.
Nora made a soft sound, almost like a sigh, and her fingers tightened around mine.
Which made me smile.
Because even half-asleep, she didn’t want to let go, either.
I swallowed, my gaze drifting back to her.