He takes a slow sip and closes his eyes with a hum. “My whole body aches. All my muscles weigh a ton. And my stomach is cramping.” He takes another drink and opens his eyes. “I’m sorry about our evening. This wasn’t the plan.”
I set my hand on his blanket-covered leg. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve had quite a nice time snooping through all your secret drawers and searching the cabinets.”
“I wish I was doing it with you. That sounds more fun.”
“It does.” I nod. “I haven’t found your blow-up Princess Leia doll yet, but I’m not ready to give up.”
He manages a weak smile and stretches to set the mug on his nightstand. “What time is it?”
“About one in the morning.”
“Oh.” He sighs, squeezing his eyes shut. “You should go home. You’ve done so much already that I don’t know how to repay you.”
“Then don’t. I’m happy to help.”
He blindly wraps his hand around my forearm. “It’s too much,” he whispers as his fingers slowly move up and down my arm in a soothing, light touch. I close my eyes and breathe in the sage scent in his room. The feeling of his calloused hand gliding along my arm is tugging directly on the thread in my heart, and I let it.
It sweeps me away into an imaginary world, where I’m not just house-sitting, and we can be together without the fear of what it means for my job.
I let myself get completely lost in thoughts ofmore.
He does the movement once more before his fingers pause and his chest lifts with the steady, deep breaths of sleep.
Chapter 21
Finn
Damp sheets cling to my clammy skin as I drift back into consciousness. I feel as though I might need a crowbar to pry my eyes open. Once I manage it, I blink a few times, assessing my aching head.
Fuck, it still hurts, but it’s better than last night’s migraine.
I roll over, groaning into my pillow at the ache in my whole body. But as I take a deep breath, the smell of fresh espresso calls to me. It rejuvenates me enough that I trudge to the shower.
Clean and wearing fresh clothes, I descend the stairs, clutching my sheets to start in the wash.
Giggles float toward me from the living room, and the sound of their voices brings a smile to my face before I’ve even seen them. I find Millie, Avery, and Eloise in the living room, kneeling around a board game on the coffee table. Millie is in a pair of black leggings and a white T-shirt with Wilhelmina Astronomy Club written across the front.
My shirt.
She looks like she was meant to wear it, and the thought of seeing her like this every morning jostles something deep in my chest. The primal urge to pick her up and claim her lips washes over me, and I have to clench my fists to stop myself.
Her eyes lift from the game and spot me. “Look who’s up.” She smiles, and the girls jump to greet me with hugs.
“Are you feeling okay?” Ave asks from my hip.
“Much better,piccola,” I say, smoothing my hand over her head. She and Eloise both have two French braids this morning, and I’m in awe that Eloise let Millie tackle the task.
The girls return to their game, but Millie stands to walk to me. My shirt almost reaches her knees, and I hate that I can’t see how those tight leggings look on her thighs and hips.
She catches me staring, and her hands fist the front of the shirt. “I found this in the dryer. Lena brought me leggings but forgot a shirt.” She rolls her eyes like she’s exasperated with her best friend. “Is that okay?”
I can’t lie. “It’sperfecton you,” I whisper, running a hand over her shoulder.
An adorable blush floods her cheeks.
“Did you sleep?” I ask, nodding behind her to the quilt and throw pillow on the couch. I don’t even know everything she did for me last night, but she must be exhausted.
“A little. How are you feeling?”
