“Noted.” I bit back a smile as she flashed her eyes to mine. “Does the other player have to actively participate, or can he just be in the room?” I flicked my gaze to Kingston and winked, joking to ease her mind. “Because I’ll help you back to sleep right now.”
Her laugh settled any lingering unease, and a weight lifted from my chest. She centered herself, giving me one last smile and mouthing a quick thank you before refocusing on Kingston. Wrapping her arms around him, she murmured reassurances in his ear. Her fingers ran through his hair, drawing patterns I recognized but wasn’t sure she realized she was drawing.
I lay there on standby, gauging every move Kingston made in case I needed to intervene.
It wasn’t the first time he’d had a nightmare, but the first time I’d witnessed it.
At least, I thought it was the first time.
Resting my arm on his bicep, I gave it a gentle squeeze. “You’re alright,” I whispered.
And slowly, just like Quinn usually did, Kingston settled.
I eased backward, thinking I should give them space. “If you need me, just call for me again, okay?”
“No, wait!” When Kingston groaned again, she lowered her voice. “Please don’t leave.”
My lips quirked. “What if he wakes up like you?”
“Well, then you can earn some more points.”
I tried not to let her sass affect me, but my cock twitched. Adjusting myself, I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. After the talk we had earlier, I didn’t think Kingston would appreciate waking up to my erection against his ass. Quinn giggled, assuring me she’d followed my train of thought and felt the opposite.
“He wants us all to love without limits, Buns. Just get comfy.”
Stifling a yawn as her body relaxed, she’d fall back asleep in no time. So, as much as I wanted to take up space behind her and press against her ass, I stayed on the other side of the bed.
“Good night, beautiful.”
“Night, Honey Bunny,” she mumbled sleepily in response, her hand reaching for me over Kingston’s body. I took her hand and held it in mine, smiling as she dozed off.
Staring at them both, I wondered if I should’ve felt like an intruder. If I should’ve felt like I was crossing lines by being there during this time meant for just the two of them. But, with her hand in mine, and the heat of Kingston’s back warming my arm where it lay beside him, I didn’t feel any of that.
I felt like I was right where I belonged.
And, for the first time, I wanted—needed—to remember why.
Kingston
Waking up beside her felt like being caught in a dream.
She’d curled toward me, her legs intertwined with mine and her arms wrapped around my waist. Quiet breaths puffed out from between her soft, parted lips. Her hair flowed across the pillow like silk.
And if I could’ve, I would’ve stayed there forever.
A deep tug of recognition pulled at my heart, so sharp my breath caught. Because I recognized the feeling stirring in my chest, and I never thought I’d feel it again.
But as I lay there with her, it hit me.
For just a moment, I was free.
We were safe.
And it wasn’t a dream in that moment…
It was real.
I hadn’t felt it quite as strongly as I did now. But then, I’d let her in far more than I had thus far.
