“Me too.”
I study her for half a beat, then tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re a lot,” I say, gazing at her. “I fucking love it. Don’t ever change.”
She swallows hard and nods once. “I won’t.”
We don’t say anything else for a while. I lie there like I’m still figuring out how to do this. She lies there like a woman who just learned what she’s been missing.
At some point I get up for water because old habits die hard. I bring her a glass and make her drink half, then pull the blanket over us and drag her back into my chest.
“Red?” she mumbles, sleep pressing down.
“Mm.”
“You called me yours.”
I’m quiet. Then, in a voice that’s rough around the edges, “Yeah.”
She smiles against my chest. “Okay.”
Outside, the mountain mutters. Inside, Bear sighs and rolls, and the fire settles to a low, steady glow.
She falls asleep with the weight of my arm around her waist.
And I lie there, wide awake, listening to her breaths, thinking about the sound of my name on her lips.
Sasha.
MySasha.
Chapter Nine
COOKIE
DAY 6 ~ DECEMBER 29
Iwake to the weight of Red’s hand on my body and the smell of coffee.
His shirt, which has now become my bedtime attire, hangs off my shoulders, half-buttoned and way too big, but I’m not complaining. It smells just like him.
He’s propped up on one elbow, watching me like I might disappear if he blinks.
My stomach flutters at the sight of this big, grizzly man who ruined me for anyone else last night.
“Morning,” I say, my voice still croaky from sleep.
“Morning.” He reaches over the side of the bed and produces two mugs.
Coffee!
He must’ve started the pot while I was sleeping.
“You’re a thief.”
I blink sleepily. “Huh?”
He gestures with his chin. “My shirt, the blanket. Half my pillow.”
“Oh, that.” I stretch and yawn. “I’m a greedy sleeper. You’ve been warned.”
