“Yep,” is all I can manage to get out, before my words are gone when he wraps his arms around me tightly and hugs me. Before I can get over the shock and push away, he spins me around and leads me back to the couch with his arm around me. I stumble over to the couch and he sits us both down. There is no space between us at all.
“Uhhh, Holt,” he doesn’t stop arranging us. He is pulling a blanket over our laps and leaning back pulling me into his side.
“Shhhh, Piper,” he says. He leans in to kiss my temple and I swear my heart flutters. If I had a pace maker the alarm would be sounding. I take another deep breath, his smell fills my senses. It is crisp and clean.Fuck it. I’m just going to stop thinking for the night.
Chapter 22
Holt
I feel her relax and finally give in to this situation that I strong armed her in. I knew she was in the bathroom freaking out. After giving her a few minutes— exactly 20, I decided to end her self-inflicted torment for the night.
Pulling her to the couch and arranging us in a way that was comfortable for the both of us, was something that I had needed to do all night. My fingers finally stopped twitching with the need to pull her closer.
Soon, she was breathing deeply and I knew she had fallen asleep. Between the wine, working all week on her feet, and the chaos of the day I was surprised she had lasted as long as she did. When I was pretty sure she wasn’t going to wake up, I stand. I pull the blanket off of her and lift her up to bring her to bed.
Laying her down I pull the covers up over her. She rolls over onto her side and sighs. Taking off my jeans and shirt, I climb into the bed in just my boxers on the other side of the bed. My 6 foot 4 frame is thankful that this bed is a queen size. I prefer the king bed I have at my place, but this works just fine.
I slide over to the middle of the bed and pull her towards me so that her back is against my front. I’m cursing the fact that she is wearing so many clothes, but at least I get to feel her soft curves against me. Wrapping my arm around her, I breathe in the scent of her shampoo and fall asleep.
Chapter 23
Piper
My eyes blink open slowly. I feel the heavy weight of Holt at my back and wonder how we got into this position again. I see light filtering through the blinds of my window and realize that it must be morning. I try to lay as still as possible, not sure what I want to do here. I know the second I start moving, Holt will wake up. Before I can make a decision, I feel Holt pull me tighter to him.
“Morning,” he rumbles softly to me. Well, guess I can’t stealthily get away now. I opt for treating this as no big deal.
“Morning,” I respond quietly. I move to get up, but Holt doesn’t seem to feel the same way. Obviously his bladder isn’t full of red wine like mine is.
“Bathroom,” I state simply, my cheeks already turning red. He immediately lets me up and I speed walk my way there and close the door.
After I do my business, I wash my hands and open the door. Holt is standing there shirtless, in his black boxers, again. This guy mustn’t like clothes.
“All yours,” I state as I try to move out of the doorway to give him room to get by. Holt grabs my arm gently.
“I’m only going to let you run for so long,” he says quietly. He is deadly serious, and his tone shouldn’t make my stomach clench. If this was anyone else, it would be creepy stalker territory.
Before I can respond to his statement, he winks and slides into the bathroom. I gulp, and make my way to the coffee maker. I need caffeine. While the coffee is going, I take a minute to find my phone. I left it on the coffee table by the couch.
When I open it, I see I have messages from Meg. I roll my eyes when I see the content. She is cuckoo for cocoa puffs.
Meg: Piper and Holt sitting in a tree… K-I-S-S-I-N-G.
Meg: Well, how is it going?
Meg: Piper, come on don’t leave a girl hanging….
Meg: When you come up for air, CALL ME! I want to compare notes on the Campbell brothers.
I roll my eyes at her. What the hell does she think this is. Not everyone’s life will end up like hers. I text her back.
Piper: There is nothing to compare. Nothing has happened.
Meg: What? Thats okay, it will soon.
Piper: You are crazy, nothing is going on.
Meg: I was in your shoes very recently. I know things.
