Jules
When I knocked quietly on Drew’s door, I barely heard his footsteps approach. He opened it, barefoot and with his finger covering his lips, silently telling me to be quiet.
I’d texted three times, and each time, he reported Darla was drinking fluids and resting.
“She’s asleep on the couch,” he now whispered, his breath tickling my cheek when he leaned close.
We stood face-to-face in the hallway, and I wriggled my nose to take in bigger whiffs of his scent. Faint hints of Scotch and sugar wafted in front of me.
“Thank you so much. Honestly, I really don’t know what I would’ve done. I should get her home to her bed now,” I said quietly.
“I know you’re going to argue.” Drew stepped a little closer and put his arm around my waist. “But stay.”
I tilted my head to the side and raised an eyebrow. Did he think I was born yesterday?
“Not what you think. Though, don’t think I don’t want you. I meant that I can carry Darla up to the guest room, and you can even stay with her. It ... it has a queen-sized bed.” His voice was soft and raw, his emotions playing out in his stammer.
I didn’t answer.
“No monkey business, I swear. I just hate to see you shove her in a car and back out again. Plus, you look dead tired, Jules. Let me take care of you.”
“Darla will wake up so confused.”
Drew brushed his lips over the top of my head and pulled me as close as I could go. Mint now mingled with the Scotch and sugar. His hardness molded to my softness, my face ghosted over his chest, and I swallowed an enormous ball of lust.
“She’ll be fine. You’ll be there and explain where she’s sleeping. You’ll explain you didn’t want to move her.”
His lips kept brushing against my forehead. I was practically orgasming from the faint touch, and falling asleep in his arms at the same time.
“Okay,” I finally murmured, unable to handle the war between my heart and my head any longer.
“Come on. I’ll show you the room, and then I’ll bring Darla in.”
I don’t even remember collapsing beneath the down comforter, or Drew bringing Darla.
“Mommy.”
I heard a whisper and felt a finger poking my shoulder.
“Mommy.”
I turned in the direction of the voice and pried open my eyes. My mouth was as dry as stale beef jerky. At least, I imagined that’s what it tasted like—ass.
“Hi, honey, how do you feel?” I smoothed Darla’s hair back and stared at my precious little girl.
“Where are we?”
I cleared my throat; it felt like I swallowed an entire dead animal. “Drew’s. You were sleepy, and he didn’t want me to have to wake you.” I brought the back of my hand to her forehead. “You feel cool as a cucumber. Thank God.”
I couldn’t help myself. I pressed my lips to her forehead, kissing the heck out of my baby girl. I took in the pale green walls and the soft breeze of the ceiling fan. The bed had a forest-green canvas headboard, and the linens must have been thousand count. My cheek felt like it was resting atop satin.
“Drew gave me Arnees to drink. It tasted good,” Darla said, pulling me out of my reverie.
“What did he give you?” I sat halfway up and stared down at my rumpled work clothes. I stank like steak and grease, and I wanted to step out of the bedroom as much as I wanted a root canal.
“Arnees to drink. It had lemonade and—”
“Iced tea,” I said with a smile. “Arnie’s? Like Arnie Palmer?”
