I tried shoving the rejection back down, wanting to be with her in any way I could.
“You were having a nightmare. I’m just here for support, no funny business.”
“No, what are you doinghere?” She repeated, holding me tighter. Talk about mixed signals.
“Nobody deserves to be alone so close to Christmas. Consider my presence an early gift.” I moved my thumb to the corner of her eye, wiping the tears away with a half-smile.
“Thank you,” she yawned. “For taking care of me after the accident…And for right now. Please stay.”
“I’m not going anywhere this time. I promise you that.”
We stayed up talking about her latest work drama and what led to her being laid off. I really felt for her. She’d been hit with so much in a short amount of time. She might regret this in the morning, but I’d be here tomorrow and every day after.
Her mom called back, telling her about the three feet of snow we’d gotten in the last few hours or so, with no sign of stopping anytime soon. Whether we liked it or not, we were stuck here.
“I’m sorry for being so mean.” Her voice trailed off, and her eyes fluttered closed. Soft breaths left her as she fell further. “I needed to protect myself.”
I kissed the top of her head and pulled up the covers, letting my own mind drift to her soft snores.
“I know.”
Chapter 7
SAM
The sun peeked through the window, reflecting off the wall, and I blinked away the haze in my vision.
Memories from last night sped to the forefront of my mind. I rolled over, hoping to find her brown locks splayed across the pillow, but her side was empty. The sheets now have the same temperature as the coldness that surrounded me. I laughed to myself. She could never sleep cold, always having the window open, yet curled up in the warmest blanket. I never understood the logic.
Carefully, I peeled off the blanket and sat at the edge of the bed, pinching the bridge of my nose before heading down to see what she was up to.
The warmth of the cabin felt amazing against my shirtless frame, starkly different from the room I walked out of that vaguely felt like Antarctica.
I cleared my throat a few times as my eyes grazed over the main rooms until I found her with a mixing bowl in hand, dancing to music I’d never heard before.
Even better, the coffeepot sitting under the windowsill was on, the red button already lit up, and steam was pouring from the pot.
Guess she’s an early bird.
This staring contest with the way she swayed around the kitchen was a losing battle, and I rubbed my stubble, amusement bubbling in my chest as I made my way over to the coffee pot. “Well, good morning to you, too.”
I ignored the shrill scream and laughed as I poured my coffee. The music stopped abruptly, and a squeak came from her.
“How long were you watching?” she asked, wide-eyed.
I chuckled at her and took a sip of my coffee. The dark roast slid down my throat and spread through my veins, warming and awakening every nerve in my body.
“If it makes you feel any better, I wish I’d seen more. Preferably while straddling me and my face pushed into those amazing tits.”
Lucy shuffled awkwardly, cheeks flushing a deep shade of red, and glaring at me with those siren eyes of hers.
The fact that she was nowhere near ready for the day and still looked as beautiful as ever stunned me. The knot in my stomach intensified as I raked my gaze over her.
Those waves were unkempt and falling around her face. The strap of her pajama top had slid down, and the soft smile that met the glimmer in her eye had me in awe.
My feelings for her hadn’t changed, but I felt like we were running out of time. I sure as hell wouldn’t be getting into heaven, but Lucy would be my heaven on earth until death cradled me.
Last night, when her hands held me tight, her chest was crushed against mine as if she never wanted to let go. I wanted to close the distance but was too afraid to commit.
