I sat up slowly, not wanting to scare her. “Nope, wide awake.”
She moved to stand in front of me, only the dim overhead-light on the microwave in the kitchen giving off a small glow through the open floor plan, but enough I could see the unsure look on her face.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
River pulled in a breath and slowly let it out. Then as quiet as a church mouse, she asked, “Can I please sit with you?”
I moved the blanket to my right and patted the space on my left. “Yeah, of course you can.”
She hesitantly moved to the couch and positioned herself next to me. I let her figure out how close she wanted to be and was floored when she moved closer and rested her head against my shoulder.
“Is it okay if I put my arm around you?” I asked, wanting to make it more comfortable but not pushing her beyond anything she was okay with.
“Umm, sure.”
After raising my arm slowly, I put it around her; she turned slightly, tucked her legs up under her, and burrowed against me, her head now resting on my chest.
“Is this okay?”
“It’s perfect,” I told her.
“Yeah,” she agreed breathlessly.
Lord, she felt good in my arms.
I knew without a doubt it was where she belonged.
Chapter Nineteen
RIVER
There wasa man in my house.
A couple of months ago, I would have said hell would have frozen over before the day would ever come that any guy other than Lennon would share my space.
But Huntley was camped out on my couch.
And I wasn’t afraid.
No, he made me feel safe.
I also realized he wasn’t just any man.
Bre had cuddled into my bed with me, Lennon next to us on the floor. He’d insisted and it made his sister feel better. Personally, I thought everyone was just more at ease knowing Huntley was right out in the other room.
Not able to stop thinking about the man that was so close, I quietly got out of bed and went out into the living room. I didn’t want to wake him but had this urge to be near him.
When I thought I heard him move, I asked if he was asleep. He answered right away and the next thing I knew, I found myself standing in front of him, asking to sit besidehim. It was never easy to ask for things I wanted. Growing up, the answer was always no.
Then when I wanted to say no, it went unheard.
But Huntley didn’t say no. He also asked before he touched me. So, when he wrapped his arm around me, I found myself scooting even closer and snuggling right into his big, hard body.
He’d said it was perfect and he’d been right.
The rhythmic thump of his heart against my ear soothed me. Maybe so much, it loosened my tongue.
“How come I’m not scared of you?” I whispered. “Why do you make me feel safe? Make me feel things I shouldn’t after what I’ve been through?”
