ONE
PRESENT
BROOKE
A groanand a hand squeezing my boob bring me out of a dead sleep. It was actually the deepest sleep I’d had in a long time. I’m lying on my back, cozy and nestled against a warm body. Jude Law’s voice is in the background of my consciousness.
My own hand, I realize, is touching something that feels like an arm. A very hard yet soft forearm. I let my fingers skim along the skin for a moment, feeling the lines of muscle.
My eyes slowly open, and I tilt my head to the side to see Silas Arbuckle resting his head on the pillow under us both. His arm is draped across my chest, and his hand has a firm grip on one of my breasts. I gently remove his hand and blame the sleep-induced lust for the inappropriate placement.
If he were awake, I’d be mad. I have a boyfriend after all.
Ending up on this couch with him was already a bad enough decision—too much RumChata and cozy Christmas movies blurred my judgment.
If I were a wise woman, I’d jump off this couch and run for the door.
But when I take in Silas’s stupidly sexy face, I allow myself to daydream for a minute about what it would be like to lie next to him every night.
I look at his long lashes, which should be illegal for a guy to have; his nose, which has a slight bend to it; and a small scar under his eyebrow. Both are probably from football injuries, I would guess. And his lips? Sweet baby Jesus. His bottom lip is a little fuller than the top, which dips slightly, creating a perfect Cupid’s bow. It’s unfair for a man to have such perfect features.
My gaze travels over the tattoos covering his body—from his neck all the way down to his feet. I only know that because I’ve seen him shirtless and in low-riding shorts. Tonight, he’s wearing pajamaralls, just like I am, and one strap is unbuttoned now, so the front hangs slightly, showing half of his muscled chest.
What I would give to run my tongue over these ridges.
Stop it, Brooke. You have a boyfriend!
I first saw Silas last year, when he transferred to Walker University from Georgia. He had moved in with my brother and his other roommates, which meant I saw him fairly regularly. But I was still in high school at the time, and I felt like I was tongue-tied whenever I was here visiting because he was just that hot.
Since I’m at Walker now, I’ve spent more time with him and gotten to know him better as a person. Yes, he’s an amazing football player, but he’s a great guy off the field too. And he’s really funny.
Silas shifts his body as my fingers continue to drag up and down his arm, but his hand stays firmly on my boob. His eyes flutter open, and he hits me with his blue eyes. A smirk on his face, he winks at me before slowly removing his hand from my chest.
“I would say I’m sorry, but that would be a lie.” He smiles widely now.
I should get up and move away from him. I’m on the edge of the couch after all, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
“Tell me the truth,” he says in a deep, grumbly voice from being asleep. “Did you see my pajamaralls on the table when they came in the other day and you wanted to match me tonight?” He takes my strap and unbuttons one side, making me suck in a breath.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve had mine since October. I was just waiting for the perfect time to wear them.” I huff half-heartedly.
It’s two weeks before Christmas, so Charlie wanted to do an early birthday party for Noelle and have a little pajama competition, and most of the couples matched. Ace and Aston—the Griffith twins—Lily, and Arbor all had funny designs, but somehow, Silas and I both wore pajamaralls. He has caribou on his, and they’re … banging. Mine are cute with a Christmas tree pattern, and I have a white crop top underneath.
“Hmm … I don’t buy it. I think you saw mine and thought it would be the perfect time to let me know how much you were into me.” He tips his head down, and his lips graze my shoulder, making me shiver.
“Oh, please. You wish.” I start to roll to the side to get off the couch, but he holds me to him.
“You’re right. I do.”
He places a soft kiss on my cheek, and I shut my eyes, savoring the feeling of his lips on my skin. But then his words hit me, and I feel the blush hit my cheeks.
“You’re staying here tonight, right? I can walk you home if you’re leaving.”
I nod. “I’ll go sleep in Charlie’s room with her.”
“Or we could just stay here and cuddle all night.” He places his hand on my hip and pulls me into him.
I lift his arm off of me and place it on his leg. “We could, but I don’t think Eli would like that too much.”
