She exhaled, something unspoken hanging in the air. “This attraction I have for you… it’s unmatched.”
My stomach clenched.
I could’ve said a lot of things. Could’ve told her I felt the same, that she was already too deep under my skin, that she made me think about things I wasn’t ready to name.
But I knew her. I knew she wasn’t ready to hear it.
So I smirked instead.
“Yeah?” I murmured, running my fingers down her neck, her collarbone, lower. “I could probably say the same.”
Her lips curled.
Then she blinked, her eyes flicking to the nightstand phone then back to me. “So uh… about those milkshakes?”
I laughed, shaking my head as I rolled onto my back.
Jesus.
She was gonna destroy me.
And the worst part? I was gonna let her.
15
Michelle
I woke to the soft,rhythmic sound of Brooks snoring, and for a moment, I just lay there, caught between comfort and panic.
The warmth of his body pressed against mine, the weight of his arm draped over my waist, his fingers barely grazing my back like he’d held me all night.
For a split second, I let myself sink into it.
Into him.
His body was a furnace against my skin, the steady rise and fall of his chest lulling me into something dangerously close to contentment.
And then the realization hit me like a gut punch.
Our time was running out.
I slept.
Shit.
The panic rose fast, curling its way through my chest as I stared at the ceiling, my pulse hammering against my ribs.
This wasn’t part of the plan. I wasn’t supposed to stay, wasn’t supposed to wake up here, wrapped in Brooks’ scent, wrapped in his fucking arms like I belonged.
I turned my head slowly, my breath catching at the sight of him.
He looked so damn peaceful, one arm bent under his head, his lips parted slightly as he exhaled softly.
Completely at ease.
His other hand still rested on my back, like he had held onto me in his sleep, like he had refused to let go even unconsciously.
Something deep and sharp twisted inside me.
