IT Lead: Got it, Boss.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Blake
When I woke, the night came back to me. I froze.
Creighton was always gone in the mornings, but last night was different. I lifted my head and looked over, and he was there. Relief flooded me, which made me feel embarrassed. I ducked my head, but I was happy he was here.
He was sitting up, back resting against the headboard, those dead eyes not missing anything. “I brought you coffee.”
“Oh.” It was on the nightstand. I sat up, sitting cross-legged so I was facing him. The coffee was hot. “When did you make this?”
“Earlier. It got cold, so I made another pot. I know you like your coffee.”
I frowned. “How long have you been awake?”
“I never went to sleep.”
I choked on the sip of coffee I just took. “What?”
“I don’t need a lot of sleep. You know this.”
I blinked a few times. “I mean, I knew that. But that was back ...” When I was in high school. “I guess I just haven’t thought about it. So, wait. Every time you came here, you didn’t sleep?”
“A few hours.”
I groaned. “I wish I had that problem.”
“How are you feeling?”
I’d taken another sip, my eyes jumping back to him. Man. With no sleep, he still looked good. He was in his clothes minus his sweatshirt because I was wearing that. His hair was wet, so he must’ve showered. There was no emotion in his gaze, but he was watching my every move intently. “I’m ...” I wiggled a little on the bed. “I’ll be fine today.”
He stared a little longer before motioning to the door. “Go to the bathroom.”
I snorted. “Bossy much?”
“Yes.” He was deadpan.
I suppressed a sigh. I’d lost my virginity last night. Some people lost it early in life, or during high school. Maybe I’d always waited because I knew Creighton’s reaction to the guy that would’ve hurt me in that way, even though it would’ve been unavoidable. It wasn’t the first time I wished Creighton understood emotions, but I really wished that morning. A part of me, where I was shy and self-conscious and feeling a little raw, wished that he would just know what to do for me. Like cuddling this morning. A hug. A forehead kiss. But I contemplated the mug in my hand as I slipped out the door. He made me coffee, and when the first pot went cold, he made me another.
And he stayed. Hewastaking care of me. In a nonviolent way. That was progress.
Palma’s door was still closed when I went past. Checking the time on our kitchenette’s microwave, I saw it was a little after six. Everyone would start getting up soon.
After using the toilet, I hopped into the shower. I didn’t look in the mirror until I was brushing my teeth, and I paused.
Had I made a mistake last night?
Did I look different? I had sex for the first time my senior year of college. Did that make me normal? Abnormal? It was a big moment.I’d no longer be someone who hadn’t had sex. After today, I was like everyone else. Right?
And I lost it to Creighton.
My hands shook as I rinsed off my toothbrush. Putting it away, I went through the motions of getting ready for the day, but my mind was racing.
Was it all a colossal mistake?
Would he beworse?
