Thisis how we ended up in our sleep?
If I had pictured this scenario yesterday, I would have blushed to the roots of my hair and been horrified. Yet this feels…deeply right. I don't know how to explain it. Our bodies fit together perfectly.
A small, contented hum escapes my throat as I relax back against him. His chest is bare, his lips by my ear as his steady breathing pulls me back toward the edge of sleep.
Gradually, a new sensation begins to wash through me. I feel sexy. There's no way to tell if Devin reached for me in his sleep unconsciously, or if he actually thinks I'm attractive. Either way, it doesn’t matter. For just a few more minutes, his masculine scent, and the way his body feels twice the size of mine… It’s making me feel cared for and precious in his arms. Like he’s protecting me from the chill.
His lips pull away from my ear a bit as he shifts, his breathing emerging from the deep rhythm of sleep.
Oh my…is that… My lips press together hard as I feel movement against my butt. That is definitely morning wood. And from the way it stretches and lengthens right against me, that wood might be an entire forest.
I can’t stop myself from instinctively pressing back against him. I want to turn him on even more. Want to know if he feels this same addictive heat that I’m feeling in my lower belly.
There’s a sharp catch in his breathing, then a muffled murmur that might have been, “Aw, shit.”
Devin releases my hand, then very slowly begins to slide away from me. There’s a thud as his foot hits the floor behind us, making me jump. My eyes snap open and I see the vast expanse of empty space in front of me. I’ve backed him right up to the edge of the bed.
There’s no stopping my explosion of laughter. I skooch forward and sit up, turning to see Devin chuckling as he pushes the curtain open a few inches to get in some light.
“I’m sorry!” I exclaim. “I didn’t mean to be such a bed hog!”
He grins, sitting up completely. My breath stops as my eyes latch onto his bare, sculpted chest. That was my pillow for mostof the night? My mouth nearly starts watering at the sight of his brawny arms and powerful shoulders.
“For the record, the snuggling was all your fault.” He reaches out to grab his t-shirt and pulls it on. “I got too warm and slipped that off about twenty minutes after the fire went out and you fell asleep. Then I kept waking up with you pressed up against me, using me as your personal block heater.”
“You said that I should kick you or push you away if you reached for me. Why didn’t you do the same?”
Something shifts in Devin’s caramel eyes as his lips curl into a sultry smile. “Because as soon as you were warm, your breathing changed and you obviously fell into a really deep sleep. I didn’t have the heart to disturb you.”
I can guess what he’s not saying: he enjoyed holding me. A tingle ripples through me, and I realize with embarrassment that my tight nipples are clearly outlined through this thin shirt. His gaze drops to my chest for barely a split second, but he definitely notices. And he likes it.
I’m no expert in men, but that look in his eyes says he’s hungry for me. Wants me.
And I want him as well, just…maybe not quite yet.
“I’m starving,” Devin says, raking his eyes over me again. “I bet there are pancakes downstairs. Let’s go.”
We get ready quickly and join the rest of the group for a casual buffet breakfast which does indeed include pancakes.
The food is amazing, and the coffee sublime. I notice that Devin is careful to sit next to a different couple at breakfast than we were with at dinner, then someone else again when we take our coffee to the sitting area by the window. He's making sure he has a chance to talk to everyone, but instead of discussing work, he's chitchatting about movies and winter activities and new restaurants in Kingsville.
"You're quite the social butterfly," I comment when we finally get a moment alone.
My breath freezes when Devin slips an arm around me. Not just because of the jolt of excitement, but because it feels so natural.
“I'm still kind of the new guy. So it's really important they like me. And we both know the best way to be liked is to ask people a lot of questions about themselves and be genuinely interested in their answers."
"Yep."
He smiles, giving me a little squeeze. "The weather is perfect for skiing. I'm going to hit the slopes for most of the day. Do you want to join me?"
"Thank you, but no. Zooming down hills is for people who are much sportier than me. I'll be in the library."
"Okay. Lunch is also a buffet today since people will be coming and going from the ski hill. It runs from noon to one-thirty, and I'll probably catch you, but in case I don’t, dinner is at seven. Sounds good?"
"Sounds great. Please don't worry about me. I have dozens of books to read and an endless supply of coffee and hot chocolate."
He hesitates for a split second before kissing my forehead. "That's my bookworm wife."
