Though Athena sleeps in my bed every night and we kiss up a storm before falling asleep in one another’s arms, nothing else has happened, and I’m shocked at how much I’m not pushing for more. Especially when my balls are bluer than blue. I’m jerking off at least twice daily, always to thoughts of the beautiful blonde who is tearing down my walls and decimating every obstacle I’ve placed in her way.
“Drew.” Athena pops her head through the door of my office.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, tossing my phone on my desk and standing. Her eyes are red-rimmed, her face contorted in pain.
“I can’t talk about it yet. I just wanted to let you know I’m going out for a walk. I need some time to myself.”
I walk to the door and pull her into my arms, alarmed when I feel her body shaking against me. “Are you sure I can’t help?”
Tears cling to her lashes when she peers up at me. “Not with this,” she chokes out over a sob.
“Let me call Abby,” I suggest.
She shakes her head and shucks out of my arms, swiping at the tears rolling down her face. “This is something I need to face alone for now. I promise I’ll tell you. Just not now.”
“Okay.” I shove my hands in the pockets of my jeans, feeling utterly useless. “Call me if you need me.”
“I will.” Her sad smile is apologetic as she walks off, leaving me wondering what exactly has happened to cause such a reaction.
I spend the night alone in front of the TV, worrying about Athena. She texted me earlier to say she’d gone back to her apartment and she’d see me tomorrow. Now, I’m thinking I did something wrong. Something to push her away, and panic is setting in.
* * *
I’m staring up at the ceiling in the dark, unable to sleep, when the door opens, and my head jerks around. Relief pours through me as Athena pads softly across the floor. I open my arms as she crawls under the covers and gets into bed.
“I missed you,” she whispers, wrapping herself around me like a koala. Not that I’m complaining.
“I missed you too. I’m pretty sure I won’t ever be able to sleep again unless I’m holding you.”
A sob rips through the air, and I hold her close, pressing a fierce kiss to the top of her head. “I wish you’d tell me what’s wrong.”
She sobs louder, and I let it go, holding her as she cries into my neck and her body shakes against mine.
At some point, we fall asleep, and when I wake the following morning, I panic finding her side of the bed empty. A quick investigation proves she’s in her room in the shower, so I pull on sweats, a white shirt, and slides and head down to the kitchen to rustle up some breakfast.
“Hey,” she says.
I glance over my shoulder from my position at the stove. “I’m making omelets.”
She hurries over to me, wrapping her arms around me from behind. “I can’t believe you ever thought you were the bad guy when you’re the best guy I know.”
“That doesn’t say much for the company you’ve been keeping.” I switch off the heat under the skillet and turn around with her in my arms.
She giggles, and though an air of sadness still clings to her skin, her eyes are clear, and she appears to have stopped crying. I don’t mention it, preferring to let her broach the subject.
“I love living here with you. You take such good care of me, and I haven’t felt this protected or this wanted in forever.”
I bundle her in my arms, pressing her face to my chest. “It’s not a chore. We have slotted easily into cohabiting. Not too bad for a guy who’s never lived with anyone but family before.”
She peers up at me. “You didn’t live with Jane?” I shake my head. “I thought since you were engaged and due to be married at eighteen it might have been different.”
“I see my sister has been whispering in your ear,” I say, helping her over to the island unit and onto a stool.
“She hasn’t told me much more than that, and I wouldn’t ask. I’d prefer you talked to me about her.”
I slide omelets onto two plates and carry them to the table, followed by OJ and coffee.
“What do you want to know?” I ask as I cut into my food.
