I find my fingers running through the curls at the nape of his neck. So soft it feels like water. I grab a fistful of hair and tilt his chin up.
Our lips are so close. The anticipation sets every nerve cell alight with pleasure.
He pulls back, wearing a shit-eating grin. Absolutely just beaming. “I win.” His voice comes out husky.
I pull back, brows furrowed.Huh?
And that’s when I hear it. The heart rate monitor going off.
Fuck.
Before I can form a comeback, he plants a strong, solid kiss on my lips, rendering me speechless. And all I do is go along for the ride as Xander returns me to my side of the bed in one smooth motion.
I sit, arms crossed over my chest, and stare at the wall ahead.
That’s when I notice—there aretwosets of alarms going off.
I want to laugh. I want to smirk. I want to poke fun at him for losing.
But before I can, there’s a knock and the door opens.
My eyes snap to Ben, who’s got his arms crossed over his chest, not impressed. “Guys.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Fingertips trace lazy circles around my stomach, slowly coaxing me out of my sleep. The solid wall of warmth behind me pulls me right back under.
I need to wake up. I need to leave.
As if reading my mind, and deciding against it, my Bone It buddy pulls me in closer. There’s a soft sigh from behind me, that’s apparently music to my ears, because it lulls me right back to sleep.
I’ll get up soon, I bargain with myself. Ten more minutes.
Newsflash: it was not ten more minutes.
I fling my eyes open, only for my head to start throbbing immediately. It takes me all of a nanosecond to remember I’m at the sleep study clinic. It’s morning. And the messy mop of brown curls that are so close I can feel a few strays on my cheek belong to Xander.
I’m big spooning Xander.
The entire back of his body is making direct contact with my entire front. My arm is also draped over his solid torso, fingers resting on his chest.
I lift my fingers off his chest and freeze so I can assess the situation, all while willing my sensory receptors not to register what his back feels like pressed against my chest. Too late. My heart starts thundering. I can’t remember what happened last.
Did we sleep together? With wires on? And a camera crew?
Did I make the sequel toSleep Wanker, turning it into an actual porn that Emily would love to name?
Besides the blood pumping through my veins at an alarming rate, I am completely still. And I stay that way, not willing to risk waking him. I feel the clothes I’m wearing create a flimsy barrier between us, so at least I’m not naked. Silver linings. I catch a glimpse of the white T-shirt on my shoulder. I’m wearing Xander’s clothes. Fuck. Surely, I would know if we had sex. Like,down there, I would know. Yet, all evidence points to not having a fucking idea in this moment. Fuck.
And as if by some cruel joke, Xander shifts and his firm ass presses against my lady bits. Ignore it.
I need to create as much distance as possible. Maybe I can roll over subtly, go back to “sleep,” and we both naturally wake up on our own sides of the bed. It’ll be my little secret. Yes. Great plan.
I hold my breath and as slowly as possible, I slide my arm back to my side of the bed. This action elicits a soft groan from Xander. Oh, shit. Before I can get my arm off him, he reaches for it and pulls me closer, tucking my arm under his arm and anchoring me in place. There’s a series of soft sleep sounds and I wonder if he’s falling back asleep, but then his entire body stiffens.
He’s awake.
A moment of utter stillness.
