I pulled her a little tighter as we fell into a comfortable silence. Thoughts about how I would continue to help her danced around in my head as Vanessa eventually fell asleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Vanessa
I was lying on something hard but surprisingly comfortable. It definitely wasn't my pillow, but for the life of me, I couldn't fathom what it could be. All I knew was it was something warm, and I wanted more of it, so I wiggled my body to capture more of the heat.
"You might want to stop wiggling like that." A husky voice filtered through my brain and had me tensing.
Oh shit. Memories from yesterday started to play behind my eyelids. My sister getting beaten up. The argument we had. Telling my father what was going on and then the plea that led to my current situation.
Asking Nolen to hold me.
Only I was no longer tucked into his side like I had been, but I was now lying across his body, my knee hiked up across his lap.
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.
"Just ignore that."
How the hell was I supposed to ignore the large bulge resting just under my knee? I was too damn afraid to move in fear that I would knee him straight in the balls.
"I don't think I can," I squeaked.
Yes, fucking squeaked like a teenager hitting puberty.
"It will go away soon enough."
I wasn't sure I believed him. I mean the thing was massive and definitely making itself known.
"Really?" I called his bluff.
"Yeah, probably not," Nolen replied with a chuckle. "Having you plastered to me most of the night hasn't helped."
"I'm sure it's just a case of morning wood. Studies have shown it's a sign of sexual health for men to wake up with an erection." I was starting to ramble due to the embarrassment coursing through my body.
Nolen used his fist to gently raise my chin so I was looking him in the yes. "I assure you this has nothing to do with the morning and everything to do with you."
My face was on fire. I could feel it, and I was positive it had to be glowing a bright shade of red.
"Ummmm." There was absolutely nothing to say to that.
Did I find Nolen attractive? One hundred percent.
Did I think he found me attractive? Before all this happened, I would've said no. Now I wasn't so sure.
"You're gorgeous when you wake up." It was like he could read my thoughts and knew exactly what to say.
"You're pretty handsome yourself."
Oh God. Could I be any more corny?
Thankfully Nolen gave me his crooked smile, and instantly my insides melted.
"We should probably get up." I had no idea what time it was, but some light filtered in through the living room window so, if I had to guess, early morning.
"I'm actually pretty comfortable right here."
So was I. I could stay like this all day if the world around me wasn't burning down.
