I lie there some more. Much to my disgust, my dick is still hard as nails. Her scent is everywhere, filling my lungs with every breath.
I need some rest as well, and when it becomes apparent that it isn’t going to happen in bed with her, I sit up, moving slowly so I don’t wake her. I grab the pillow and slide off the bed as quietly as I can.
Then I lie down on the rug next to the bed, the pillow under my head. I have the sheet, which is enough. I didn’t lie about running hot. I do.
I’m still technically here for her. If she wakes up and needs me, I’ll hear her.
I close my eyes and will my dick to go down. Try to think about anything other than Wren.
It takes a long time before I even start to relax, and longer still before I finally fall asleep.
I’ll keep my hands off her and figure out our next move. Wren told me she feels safe with me. I plan on ensuring that she always feels that way.
24
Wren
When I wake up, there is a sliver of light around the edges of the drapes. It’s still really early, the sun is still rising.
I don’t move. I barely breathe.
Grim is in my bed, and the last thing I want to do is wake him. I’m slightly horrified that I begged him to stay with me last night. Actually, horrified is putting it mildly. In the light of a new dawn, I’m completely mortified.
I shouldn’t have done it.
Having said that, I was afraid. That nightmare unnerved me in ways I can’t fully explain. Everything that happened yesterday is still so raw.
I decide to cut myself some slack. I was sleepy and terrified. Anyone would have done the same thing.
After lying on my side for what feels like forever, staring at the wall, I carefully turn onto my back. Slowly, I look over at Grim’s side of the bed.
He isn’t there.
My heart sinks.
He left, even after I asked him to stay.
Then again, he’s a really sweet guy. He probably didn’t want to intrude. Didn’t want to make things weird between us.
I slip out of bed as quietly as I can and go to the bathroom. After I finish, I wash my hands, splash some water on my face, and drink some straight from the faucet.
Then I head back toward the bed and stop short.
Grim is lying on the floor next to my bed, the sheet wrapped around his lower half.
Oh no. Why is he there? He can’t have been comfortable lying on the floor all night. He’s so sweet. He didn’t want to leave after I begged him to stay, but still found a way to give me space.
I can just make him out in the dim light that’s coming in from the edge of the opposite drape. His torso is exposed, all that bronzed skin and those tattoos on full display. I can barely even make out a scar anymore.
His muscles are something else. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of looking at them…at him.
Some would say he’s too big, too mean-looking, but I don’t think so. I’ve seen his smile. Seen how it lights up his face. Seen how long his lashes are and how his dark eyes can soften when he’s concerned. He isn’t mean at all.
He’s perfect.
His hair is loose. He’s so freaking sexy. If you asked me a year ago to describe my perfect man, it wouldn’t be Grim, but I would have been wrong. This is it. He is it.
His eyes open, and he turns his head to me.
