Except the blankets had a heartbeat steadily thumping against my chest and what I thought was my pillow was actually Red’s shoulder. But as much as I wanted to freak out about Red waking up and discovering me half-lying on him, I didn’t.
Instead, after taking stock of how I felt, I realized my heart felt full, my belly was fluttering, and for just a moment, I closed my eyes and let myself enjoy the feeling of being in a man’s arms again. Becausebelieveme, it had been alongtime.
And that was the last thought I had before drifting back off to sleep again.
Now it’s morning and thankfully I’ve rolled away from the man who was the star of my dreams.
Not wanting to disturb him, I grab my e-reader and get back to reading Aster's book, not for the first time, I'm left wondering why the hero and heroine won't just talk to each other and admit their relationship has changed.Isn’tthatapt.
Sincethatscene hits a bit too close to home, I put the book down and roll onto my back, staring up at the ceiling as a jumble of emotions swirl inside me.
Whyhaven’tI told Red that I have feelings for him? Because everything that happens to me when I’m close to him is telling me that we're not just best friends anymore. We're soulmates too.
The only sticking point is how does a friendship like ours turn into somethingmore. How does it justchange?
A muffled snore captures my attention and I carefully roll onto my side to sneak a peek his way, a sigh escaping me when I lay eyes on him.
His face is relaxed with a small smile tugging at his lips. For a moment I wonder if he’s dreaming, maybe it's about the ranch or the mountain back home. Maybe it's just something that makes him happy.Maybe I want him to be dreaming about me…Whatever it is, I wish I could stay in this moment forever, seeing him be peaceful and unguarded without a worry in the world.
Then again, if I don’t get out of bed today, I won’t get to find out what the surprise is that he has planned.
Just as I’m about to stop being a creeper and get up, Red’s arm reaches out and hauls me into his side, his hand flexing and holding on tight.
My body melts against his. I can’t help but feel a flutter in my chest at how right it feels to be touching him, being held by him. Closing my eyes, I wish for a million and one more mornings just like this.
“Hmmm, darlin’,” I hear him murmur before he presses his lips to the top of my head.
I still and tilt my head up just in time to catch his eyes jump wide, his whole body going as stiff as a board when reality sinks in. That leaves the two of us lying there, face to face, bodies pressed as close as they can be with clothes on and it’s like time stands still.
Instead of freaking out—because we're way past that point now—I decide to own the situation, my lips tipping up as I slowly peel myself off of him and back over to my side of the bed.
"Sorry for turnin’ you into my human heat pack. I move a lot in my sleep. I must've gotten cold," I say, not telling him about my middle-of-the-night cuddle session either.
"Mmm, glad I could be of service," he replies, eyeing me suspiciously. "Not sure the pillow wall worked though."
I push up on one arm and look over onto the floor where the cushions appear to have been thrown during the night. “You might be right there.”
He sits up to lean against the headboard, his gaze following my line of sight to the floor before returning to me. "Can't say I'm complainin' though. There’re much worse things in the world than wakin' up with a beautiful woman in my arms. It's been a while, that's for sure."
I eye him curiously. “How long?”
He reads right through me if the smirk that appears is anything to go by. “Why’re you askin’, Mags?”
I shrug. “Just curious.”
His gaze warms and his lips twitch. “Curiosity killed the cat, you know.”
That earns him an eye roll but thankfully, there’s no awkwardness.
When he doesn’t answer straight away, I wonder if he doesn’t want to.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up, the creaking floorboards under my feet the only sound in the room. “It’s OK, Red. I shouldn’t have asked.”
"Why not? You can ask me anythin', Mags. But if you must know, it’s since Anna. There's been no one since her," he says softly.
Thathas my gaze snapping back to his. “What?” I whisper.
“There has been no one since her. Been no one else I wanted to share a bed with.”
