Stop thinking.
Sleep.
Minutes passed, but every time she closed her eyes, his handsome face and sexy body popped into her head.
Knock-knock.
She pulled the sheet back. “Who is it?”
On the other side of the door, he chuckled. “Are you okay?”
“Why don’t you open the door and check for yourself?”
He did. Looming large, he filled the doorway, wearing only shorts. Her heart pounded faster and faster, like a tornado gaining speed. Before she could think or check herself or stop herself, she pushed out of bed, went to him.
He folded his arms around her while she pressed close. Their breathing fell in line, her heartbeat slowed. She felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
In his arms.
“I don’t think we should be apart tonight,” he said.
“Why not?”
With a gentle touch, he placed his fingers under her chin, tilted her face toward his. “Every chance we have to be together, we should take it. Life’s short, shit happens?—”
“People are mostly crazy,” she said.
She could tell him she was scared or that she feared he’d hurt her. Or she could set aside her insecurities and lay with him.
“I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep,” she said.
That made him smile. “Then, I’ll walk you back to your bed so I know you’re safe.”
She smiled back.
He clasped her hand, brought her into his bedroom.
“Computer, night table light on low.”
The walls were dark gray with white trim. The furniture a dark gray. Simple, masculine, and tasteful.
He pulled back the bed linens, set his ring on the table. Together, they got into the bed.
Being there, with him, felt right.
“Computer, turn off the light,” he said.
Bathed in darkness, she rolled away. He snuggled close, draped his arm over her. “Wake me when I fall asleep, so I can walk you back to bed,” he whispered.
A whisper-soft smile filled her heart with hope.
Joaquin
Rebel slept betterthan he had in years. He woke as the first morning light peeked over the horizon. Facing him, Brit slept soundly. After staring at her for way too long, and committing every single feature of her beautiful face to memory, he slunk out of bed.
In the bathroom, he brushed his teeth, splashed water on his face, ran his hands through his hair. Back in the bedroom, he was surprised that sleeping beauty hadn’t stirred. He threw on jeans and a pullover sweater, then left the bedroom.
“Computer, lights on in kitchen and living area.”