I’m up and out of the bed before she can finish that sentence. I yank the towel off her body, eliciting a small squeal of protest from her, then pick her up and carry her to the bed.
“Caleb.” She wiggles in my arms.
I don’t slow. On a mission, I set her on the bed, climb in beside her, and pull the covers up.
“I swear, it’s no problem,” she murmurs. “I’m fine to sleep in the other room.”
I wrap an arm around her waist and tug her against me so her back is pressed to my chest.
“Halle.” I nip her shoulder. “Have I given you any indication that I want you to leave my bed?”
“No, but?—”
“Go to sleep, baby.”
With a sigh, she wiggles against me. If she keeps that up for long, I’ll be hard all over again. But she’s had enough for tonight.
Within minutes, her breaths even out and her body sinks against mine. I stay awake longer than I should, watching her. Maybe that makes me a creep, but I can’t take my eyes off her when her face is soft with sleep, when all the worry lines have faded and peace has overtaken her expression.
I smooth her dark hair back from her forehead.
I just want to make everything all right for her. If only she’d let me.
CHAPTER 27
HALLE
Iwake slowly, feeling as if I completed a vigorous workout in my sleep, and stretch my arms overhead before gradually peeling my eyes open and surveying the room around me. Where I expect to find Caleb, I’m met with cool sheets. The room is bright already, the kind of light that means the sun has been up a while.
Clutching his sheets to my chest, I peek over at the clock.
Nine-thirty.
I grimace. It may notbesuperlate, but I never sleep in like this.
On my feet, I relish the sensation of the plush carpet beneath me for a heartbeat before I scurry around and gather up all the pieces of my costume. With them clutched to my chest, I ease his bedroom door open and listen for my brothers. When I’m met with nothing but silence, I sag in relief. They must not be back yet.
I dart across the hall to my room with my clothes clutched to my bare body, exchanging them for a simple pair of jeans and a long-sleeve tee, then head for the shower, where the warm water does wonders to soothe my aching body.
Apprehensive about seeing Caleb, I take my time applying a light base of makeup and swiping mascara onto my lashes.
Finally, when I’ve run out of tasks to occupy myself with, I creep down the stairs and into the kitchen.
I freeze when I catch sight of Caleb. He’s shirtless, and his sweatpants sit low on his hips as he moves around the kitchen with calm efficiency.
I gather myself before he catches me gawking and shuffle to the island.
“Hey.” I leave it at that. Otherwise I’m bound to make it awkward.
He looks up from the griddle, where he’s pouring pancake batter, and smiles. “Hey, hope you’re hungry.”
At the mention of food, my stomach growls. Thankfully between the sound of bacon popping in the pan and music playing low in the background, he doesn’t hear it.
“Starving.”
He wipes his hands on a towel, then strides over andkisses me. It’s so easy. Natural. Like we always openly kiss like this, PDA has been nonexistent.
“How are you feeling?” he asks when he pulls away and goes back to his tasks.
