When she comes out of the bathroom, she jumps when she sees me.
“Jesus! You scared me.”
“I wanted to make sure you weren’t trying to sneak back to the guest bedroom because I want to be clear about one thing: You’re sleeping in my bed tonight.”
“Bossy much?” she asks.
“If it keeps you in my bed, then yes, I am. No apologies.”
I take her hand and lead her back to bed. She crawls in, and I climb in behind her, wrapping her in my arms. We lay quiet for a few minutes, but my mind struggles to settle. There’s something I’m trying my damnedest not to ask, but I can’t hold back.
“Bets, please don’t run out on me in the morning, okay?”
A second passes. It’s long enough to feel like hesitation, and my heart races.
“Okay,” she whispers. “I won’t. I promise.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Delaney
I’ve been nibbling at the inside of my lower lip for at least ten minutes as I stare at Harrison’s sleeping form. I got up and peed, but since then, I’m watching him like a creeper.
I promised Harrison I wouldn’t leave as I did after our first time together. The vulnerability in his eyes last night when he asked me not to run out on him again keeps me glued to this chair. I could use a cup of coffee, but something deep inside me says not to. It’s not worth the risk of his waking and finding me gone—even if I’m just downstairs. I want to keep this promise, especially since my recent track record for keeping promises has been poor.
Still, I’ve got a ton to do today. Figuring out a place to stay and fixing the car are my priorities. I glance down at my phone—six a.m.—too early to get that in motion. God, the cost is going to hurt my savings. Maybe the tire has a nail hole, and someone can patch it. If it’s not salvageable, I’ll ask if they have a used one.
“Are you all right over there?” Harrison’s rough morning voice startles me, and I chomp down hard on my bottom lip. I manage not to yelp, but I know I winced, and Harrison frowns.
He flies to an upright position at the side of the bed, leans forward, and places his hands on my knees. His touch settles me enough for me to notice, and I lift my eyes to meet his. I force a smile.
“Yeah, I bit my lip.” The coppery taste of blood fills my mouth.
Harrison lifts his hand to my face and brushes the rough pad of his thumb over the injured area. It gives me the shivers.
“You okay?” he asks. I nod in response.
“I’m fine but?—”
“About everything? Not only your injury.” The intensity in the way he’s looking at me is too much.
My throat tightens, and I drop my gaze downward for a second, then look him in the eyes.
Am I? I think so…
“Yes, all is good.”
I scoot forward, and his hands slide off my knees. When he straightens, I see the chance to stand and take it.
“I need to get my day started. I’ve got to sort out the car and find somewhere to sleep. Or check if Brandon has settled enough to let me return to?—”
“What?” Harrison leaps up. “What did you say? Because I’m certain I misheard.” Sarcasm drips from his last few words, and it pisses me off.
I narrow my gaze at him and fight the urge to allow my eyes to roam his body, even though I know he’s just wearing boxer briefs.
“You heard me. If I can’t find somewhere else to rent, then I need to see if Brandon will take me back.” I walk to his bedroom doorway and stop, then pivot to face him again.
Harrison is pulling on shorts, and the view and the way he focuses his gaze on me make me forget what I was going to say. God, he’s one impressive specimen of a man.
