I try to smooth over my face as I cross my arms over my chest and nod for him to speak.
“I can’t, like, promise you anything. I just can’t. But I’ve told you all this because you telling me about your sweet tooth, feeding Maggie these past few days, cooking just now... all of it helped, and out of everything I feel, shame isn’t one of those things anymore.”
I release a breath slowly then straighten and close the two steps separating us, reaching up to cup his cheeks and kissing him gently.
“That’s good.” I should leave it at that, but I don’t. “Does that mean you’ll sleep next to me tonight?”
It’s something I haven’t been able to ask him for, but now’s as good a time as any.
I have to hold up my hands in surrender at his deadpan look. It’s kinda mean, and turning me on if I’m honest.
“Just sleep. We need to rest, and we can sleep in your room if you want to be closer to Maggie.”
He snorts, and the way he shakes his head confuses me. I don’t know if it’s from amusement or if he’s saying no.
“Let’s go, then.”
11
COLBY
I wake up slowly, feeling the soft sheets I’m slowly getting used to again under me, the perfectly plump pillow below my cheek, and I have to smile. When I risk a glance, I find my room bathed in the warm, soft glow of the nightstand lamp on the other side of the bed.
The blackout curtains keep me guessing as to what time it is, but what’s most important right now, is that I’m alone.
If I close my eyes and focus, I can still feel that intense sense of security that Eian’s arms created. So intense, that I think I fell asleep less than ten minutes after my head hit the pillow, and that’s unusual considering it takes me an hour on nights when my ritual has gone perfectly, which of course wasn’t the case last night.
I was wearing pajamas for one, and had someone else in my bed—that hasn’t happened in more than a year if youdon’t count the first few weeks with Maggie—and I was overly aware of every little movement Eian made, every breath he took, every inch of his skin touching mine.
But now... I stretch lazily, my toes even curl, and I can tell I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in—I don’t even know how long.
And that finally wakes me up enough.
I might pull a muscle from how fast I sit up to check my phone, and I definitely injure something in my scramble to Maggie’s bedroom.
My heartbeat goes dangerously fast at the sight of the empty crib and I don’t think anymore, just move. I run out of the room, down the hall, risk even more injuries by how fast I take the steps down to the ground floor, and can’t really control my reaction when I find her smiling and clapping on the plush rug in the living room with a dancing Rory and smirking Eian.
“Thank fuck,” I breathe out and bend to rest my hands on my knees so I can catch my damn breath. I don’t think anyone’s noticed me, so I take my time, but soon enough, a pair of gleaming dark-brown Oxfords appear right in front of me.
“I just thought you could use the sleep,” Eian murmurs. I pretend I don’t jump in surprise when he puts a hand on my head and starts combing his fingers through my hair.After two seconds I decide that’s not something I should enjoy, and I straighten.
“I don’t think I’ve slept that long since I was a teenager,” I tell him, forcing a smile and acting like I’m not still out of breath. That softness that was all over his face last night has no business gracing his face still, but he doesn’t seem to care about keeping my emotions level.
“Then I can’t really regret taking Maggie after she woke up.” Without ceremony he presses his body to mine and cups my cheeks.
I’m bracing myself for another one of his briefs-melting kisses but instead he goes soft on me.
Will I ever know what to expect from Eian?
I think this is the best way to be kept on my toes.
“We fed her, and then Rory said a dance party was in order.”
We both turn to look back at the womenfolk, and find Rory on her belly on the floor making faces at Maggie.
I stop controlling myself and just scoop her up to cuddle her. It’s something I do every morning before I even change her, but even if her routine changed a little today, there’s no reason why I can’t make up for it now.
An indescribable thrill moves through my body when, as ifhe can’t help himself, Eian moves closer again and rests a hand on Maggie’s fuzzy head.
