“I can sleep on the couch…”
“No.” It comes out much gruffer than I mean, but she has to understand that her welfare is going to come first. “I’ll take the couch. But if you need to use the bathroom or need anything, you will call me.”
“That’s ridiculous. I’m not going to wake you. I’m sure I can hobble to the bathroom, it’s not that far.”
“Emma, you heard the doc. You’ll call me ,and I’ll help you,” I repeat pushing more dominance into my tone.
“You’re being overbearing, you realize that, right?” She lifts a brow.
“Maybe. But it’s what’s going to happen.”
“The couch is too small for you. Half your body will hang off the edge.”
“Then I’ll sleep on the floor. I’ve spent plenty of time camping. It’s fine.”
Emma nibbles her bottom lip as she looks down at the bed, then grabs my hand.
“You can sleep here with me. It’s huge, you could fit like five people in this bed. I’ll stay on my side, and you can stay on yours. Then I don’t have to yell if I have to get up. I can just punch you.” She giggles.
“Not funny, Raindrop.”
“Just kidding. But seriously, we’re responsible adults. We can do this. Which side of the bed do you sleep on?”
“The middle usually, but I’ll sleep on this side, it’s closest to the door. You take the left side. But first, we need to get you out of that dirty T-shirt.”
“Nope. No way. I’m not sleeping naked. I don’t have anything with me.” She gives me an accusing look.
“I know, I’ll fix that tomorrow. For tonight, you can sleep in one of my T-shirts.” I head over to the dresser and grab a shirt. Her mouth opens into a big “O” when I hold it up for her to see. It’s a graphic of a bear in the woods, but the caption makes her giggle.
“Really? A guy like me is hard to find. I can’t believe you have that.”
“It was a Christmas gift from Aaron. He thought it was funny since I’m always going off on my own. I’ll leave you to get changed. I’m going to grab a couple of pain pills and some water. Be right back.”
In the kitchen, I fill a glass with water from a pitcher in the fridge and then grab the acetaminophen. Then I turn off the lights. When I walk into the bedroom, she’s got the covers pulled up to her chin. She looks so tiny in my enormous bed.
“Comfy?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Good. Here, take these. Hopefully, it’ll take the edge off so you can sleep well.”
She sits up and tucks the comforter under her arms, then takes the water and pills. Once she’s swallowed them, I set the glass on the bedside table.
“I’m going to take a quick shower. I won’t be long.”
I can feel her eyes on my back as I head into the bathroom. At my dresser, I grab a pair of sweats and a T-shirt before turning off the lamp. I usually sleep naked, but we’re not ready for that. Hopefully soon.
Knowing she would hear me is the only reason I don’t jack off in the shower. My dick is so hard, it’s painful. I haven’t had a set of blue balls like this since before I went away to college. I know I’m in for a long night as I slide into bed and inhale her scent. How does she smell like spring rain?
“Asher?”
I thought she was already asleep. “Yeah?”
“Thank you for taking care of me. Even if you scared me to death first. I know this is hard on you, and I want you to know I appreciate you.”
This girl. She doesn't realize how she affects me. Emma heals parts of me I believed were beyond repair. “You’re welcome, Raindrop. Just wait till tomorrow when the true groveling begins.”
“Groveling?”
