“What side of the bed do you want?”I ask.
He shrugs.“I don’t care.But would it be okay if we cuddled a bit?I think I got spoiled.Can’t sleep alone now.”
Ouch.It’s not that he can’t sleep withoutme, it’s that he can’t sleep alone.So if it’s not me, he’ll find someone else to share his bed and hold on to.I need to remember that and not get too attached.Okay, I’m already attached.I need to work on detaching and remembering that this may be temporary.The best I can do is teach him so some other lucky bitch can benefit.At least I’ll get him for a little while.Yeah, I’m altruistic, not needy.But first, get through tonight.Or what’s left of it.
“Okay, I’ll take this side, and you take the other.It’s going to be a tight fit because you’re so big.”I flush hotly when I realize what I’ve said and how it could be interpreted.By the blush staining his cheeks, Ollie’s brain is working the same way mine is.Great.Tonight is not the night to do anything about it.Not enough time.Not enough room in my normal-size queen bed.
“Do you want to spoon?”he asks.“Is it weird to ask that?”He pushes his hand through his hair and gives a little tug.“I hate being so fucking clueless.”
“Hey.”I rest my left hand on his chest and spy my engagement ring.I love it.I’d never thought about an engagement ring because I didn’t ever expect to receive one, but it’s perfect.Of course it is—it’s from Ollie.“You’re fine, it’s me.I’m a sure thing.We’re already engaged.”
He rests his hand over mine, his big fingers gently toying with my ring.
“Yeah, but what if I don’t get to keep you?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’m his for the asking, but he suddenly yawns so hugely his jaw cracks.Poor man, he’s exhausted.
I give his muscular pec a pat and pull my hand away.
“Come on, let’s get to bed and get some sleep,” I say while stepping back from Ollie to climb into my side.I turn off the lamp on my nightstand, and the room is dark except for a sliver of moonlight.He slides in on his side and scoots to meet me in the middle.
As his arms wrap around me, he lets out the deepest, most heartfelt sigh.His arm tightens around my abdomen, like he wants me even closer to him.I have no complaints when he nuzzles the back of my neck and presses a ghost of a kiss against my nape.I can tell by his deep breaths that he’s fallen asleep already.Poor guy, he’s exhausted.I’m glad that he’s comfortable enough with me to be able to relax so easily.Following his lead, I lay my hand over his and link our fingers.Even in his sleep, he senses it and gives a gentle flex that I feel not only on my hand but on my heart.
* * *
Why did I say I’d work today?It’s not baking, it’s working the counter, so I don’t have to be there as early.But still, my alarm going off at half past five, when I didn’t fall asleep until almost two, is way too early.Especially when I’m being cuddled by Ollie.This is why I want to win Pastry Pro so badly—so I can stay in bed with my partner and hopefully someday get kids off to school in the morning before I chain myself to my mixer and oven.Or only do it a couple of days a week and not five of them.
Unlinking our hands, I try to gently lift Ollie’s arm so I can slide out of bed, but he’s having none of that.
“Where you going?”he mumbles, tightening his grip.
Rolling over so I can face him, I push his hair off his forehead.He’s adorable when he’s sleep-rumpled, and his brown eyes are soft and slightly unfocused in the very early light of the morning.
“Work.Short day today, only until noon.Working the counter, no baking.Light day.”
“Stay,” he mumbles, wrapping his arm more snuggly around me and throwing a leg over mine.In this position, his semi-hard cock is pressed against my stomach, and wowser.If he’s like that when he’s barely awake, I can only imagine how impressive it is when he’s fully in the moment and feeling desire, not responding biologically.
“Ollie,” I whisper, “I can’t.Go back to sleep.By the time you’re up for the day, I’ll be home.I’m off tomorrow and Monday so I can go to your game and not turn into a pumpkin.I’m going to Tuesday’s game too.”
Why did I tell him everything now?He doesn’t need all the information.He needs to sleep.Pressing a quick kiss on his cheek, I wiggle out of his embrace.
He’s so tired, I can hear light snores before my feet have even hit the floor.Good, he needs to sleep.Their game tomorrow night is make-or-break.If they lose, their season’s over.It’s only a five-game series, and they lost the first two.
I shower and dress in the bathroom as quietly as possible.Whispering a quiet goodbye to Ollie, I slip out of the bedroom and grab my stuff.I’m walking to work because I don’t want to leave Ollie without a car.I leave the key on the counter and send a quick text.
Me: Left a key to my car on the counter in case you need it.I should be home a little bit past noon.Help yourself to anything in the fridge.
The morning is steadily busy, selling lots of donuts and cinnamon rolls.My wrist feels fine even when I pour the infrequent cup of coffee.Most of our regular customers buy coffee from The Caffeinated Cow coffee shop across the walking bridge on the other side of the Village.Our coffee isn’t that great, and the Cow’s baked goods are sad.Jack and the highland-cow-shifter owner of the coffee shop have a feud going on.They accuse each other of stealing customers.It’s obvious they should work together, but they’re stubborn.Not my problem.
I’m boxing up half a dozen cinnamon rolls when Andie appears behind the donut display that opens into the kitchen part of the bakery.
“Um…Phoebe…look behind you,” she whispers.
“Why?”The way her eyes are wide has me kind of freaked out.Andie is usually unflappable.I close the box and tape it shut before taking a deep breath and bracing myself to turn around.
My heart leaps when I see Ollie standing there, but my elation fades when I see the serious expression on his face.This isn’t happy Ollie or even bashful Ollie.This is an Ollie I haven’t seen before.I hand my customer their box of yummies, tell my coworkers I’m going to step away for a few minutes, then holler to Jack that I’m taking my fifteen-minute break.
I step from behind the counter and wrap my arms around Ollie’s waist.He hugs me back, but his body’s radiating tension.
