Chapter 27
Derek
She was nervous. She was trembling. Gone was the smart talking, confident, sassy firecracker I’d come to know. She’d been replaced with this shaking, quiet girl. It was seriously pissing me off. I didn’t want to be the reason she was like this. I didn’t want her to be afraid of me. Fuck, that was the last thing I wanted.
Rubbing my forehead, I tried to push away the negative, heavy thoughts. It wasn’t easy, but I was determined. This was supposed to be exciting. Yeah, nerves were normal, but not like this. This was insane. Beneath my arm, Mia felt tiny. The protective caveman in me was bellowing loudly. I was going to look after my Tinkerbell. All the X-rated thoughts I’d been imagining since the moment she stepped through the doors of the club vanished, replaced by the need to protect and comfort her. It wasn’t like me. Not usually. But I’d be full of shit if I pretended that I wanted anything more from her right now than to wrap her in my arms and hold her ‘til morning.
Entering my bedroom, I was shocked by how afraid Mia seemed. I knew she wasn’t as tough as she’d like everyone to believe, and I was desperate to know who or what had caused that, but I had no idea she’d be this frightened. Unwrapping my arm from around her, I flicked on the lamp on my beside and moved towards my dresser. This night was not turning out how I’d hoped initially, but sleeping with Mia in my arms wasn’t a bad consolation prize.
“Here you go.” Mia quirked her eyebrow at me as I placed a pair of black boxer briefs and a well-worn grey shirt in her hands. “Bathroom is through there. Why don’t you get changed so we can get some sleep?”
Stunned. It was the only word that could describe the strange look that crossed her face. I’d shocked her and damn, it felt good. Without saying a thing, she shuffled off to the bathroom and shut the door with a click that echoed through my head. Pushing down my own excitement, I quickly turned down the covers and ran my eyes over my room. Thankfully, I wasn’t a messy slob like most guys I knew. I hadn’t planned on bringing Mia home, but that didn’t mean she needed to find my dirty socks or jocks on the floor.
Knowing I was running out of time, I changed my shirt as quick as I could and stripped off my work pants, changing into my cotton pyjamas. Usually I wore them around the house, never in bed. I rarely slept in clothes, so tonight would be uncomfortable at the best. But if it was a choice between wearing clothes and sleeping with Mia in my arms or sleeping naked and alone, there was no decision. Tossing my socks in the hamper, I kicked my shoes in the cupboard, only to spin around and come face to face with a sight that stole my breath.
Mia was sex on legs.
Don’t get me wrong, she looked stunning in her own clothes, and the jeans she’d had painted on, the way they cupped her ass, had me thanking the gods of denim, but standing at the end of my bed, her face scrubbed clean, my shirt hanging down to her knees and my boxers in her hand, I was lucky I didn’t fall on my ass.
“S-something wrong with the shorts?” I stuttered, my mouth feeling as though it was stuffed with cotton wool.
“No. Why?” She had a sneaky smile on her lips and I was forced to recite my multiplication tables to try to control my traitorous body.
“They’re in your hand.”
“They’re too big. The shirt is fine, though. Which side do you want?”
I groaned. She was going to be the death of me. Knowing she was barely an arm’s length away, wearing only my shirt and possibly a skimpy pair of panties, had my dick twitching.
“Ummm…”
Words didn’t come. It was bullshit. I felt like I was fifteen again?something I definitely didn’t want to remember. Especially not now.
“I’ll take the right then.”
I was frozen where I stood. Mia strode across the room, the lamp light doing delicious things to her legs. I scrunched the forgotten boxers in my hand before balling them up as I watched Mia crawl into my bed and settle herself against my pillows.
“You going to stand there gawking all night or are you joining me in here?”
The damn minx was taunting me. Teasing me. And I’d be fucked, she was doing a bloody good job of it too. Without a sound, I climbed in beside her, took one last look, and switched off the lamp. It took all my strength to stay on my side of the bed and not drag her into my arms. As it was, her scent was everywhere, and it was enticing as hell. I clenched my fists and held my jaw firm while I concentrated on my breathing. Beside me I could feel Mia wriggling.
“Fuck it!” she whispered, full of annoyance.
A moment later she grabbed my arm, pushing it out of her way before settling herself with her head on my chest and her arm draped low across my stomach. “You all right there, Tinkerbell?”
“I am now.”
“Okay.”
Without hesitating, I leant down, kissed the top of her head, earning me a satisfied moan as she snuggled even closer. I didn’t want her to move her arm another inch. I was already scared of her running, and if she dropped her arm any lower, there wouldn’t be any doubt about her effect on me. Silently, I breathed her in. I couldn’t help but be on edge. My greatest fear right now was that Mia would wake up in the morning regretting this. Then I reminded myself that she was in my home. In my bed. Tucked up against me. It was her choice. She wanted to be here. Now I just had to make her want to come back again. And again. And again.
For a few torturously long moments I stared into the darkness, my mind whirling a million miles an hour. When Mia’s breathing steadied, I allowed my eyes to close and sleep to carry me away.
I squeezed my eyes shut. It was early. Way too early. I felt like I’d only been asleep for ten minutes. I needed to pee desperately, but there was a weight on my stomach I didn’t recognize. With a groan, I pried my heavy eyes open and rubbed my face with my hands. I was not a nice person in the morning before coffee. In fact, before caffeine, I should be avoided at all costs.
When my eyes fell on a bubbly blonde straddling my hips, all thoughts of coffee were gone. My whole body was now wide awake and paying attention. I would have been embarrassed if I hadn’t been so shocked. I should have been. Mia was still here. I’d forgotten she stayed over. It was definitely a great way to start the day.
I could feel the smile tugging at my lips. “Morning, Tinkerbell.”
