He tightened his arms. “Always.”
And he meant that. He might not have known her for long, but she’d worked her way into his life, making herself something he couldn’t live without.
He wasn’t sure how long they sat there, but at some point, her chest relaxed with deep, even breaths. She was asleep. Still, he didn’t move, not for a long time. Because being with her felt good.Holding herfelt good.
Eventually, he slipped an arm under her legs, rose and carried her to her room. He’d just eased her beneath the covers when she grabbed his arm.
“Jesse…” Her eyes were still closed, voice half asleep. “Lie with me. Just for a bit.”
Fire laced his veins. The idea of holding her in bed…it did things to him.
“Please,” she added softly.
Usually, he liked to think of himself as a strong person. But right now, every part of him felt weak. Far too weak to say no to her. He slid beneath the covers, and immediately, she nestled her head on his chest and her breaths evened out once more.
Jesse lay there, holding her, wondering how the hell he was ever supposed to let go.
CHAPTER 13
Mmm. Aspen was warm. So warm, she didn’t want to get up. But why was her pillow hard? And why was it moving? It was rising and falling…and there was a dull thud beneath her ear.
Her eyes popped open. Not a pillow, a chest. She was lying on a chest.Jesse’schest.
Shit. They’dslepttogether. He was in her bed…because she’d asked him to get in with her.
She winced.Stupid. What was she thinking?
But she knew what she’d been thinking. That she was sad and didn’t want to be alone, and beautiful Jesse could fix all that.
It was fine. This was fine. She could get out of bed without waking him. Avoid the awkward “good morning, thanks for letting me cry on your chest and use you as a pillow” conversation.
She did a quick body scan. His hand was on her back, but no biggie, it would drop when she slid off the mattress. And her leg was tangled between his, but that should be a simple lift-and-roll situation.
Now she just needed to move.
But what if she woke him?
Possible. Very possible. But the longer she waited, the more chance there was of him waking.
Slowly—so slowly she swore an entire minute passed—she lifted her leg.
Good. Next, she needed to lift her head and arm, then roll away.
She raised her head and the arm wrapped around his stomach, then went to roll, but the arm aroundherwaist tightened.
She froze.
“Running away?”
Her head shot up to see Jesse staring at her. A very sexy,very awakeJesse. “You’ve been awake this whole time?”
“During your grand exit? Yes, I have.”
She whacked him.
“Ow.” He grabbed at his chest.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
