Adalyn had mentioned a mutiny . . .
I jutted my chin toward Storm. “You should take advantage of Storm’s nap to have one yourself.”
“That would defeat the purpose of watching you.”
“As you can see, I’m fine.”
“How about you come nap with us?”
Warmth gushed into my cheeks. “I can just imagine my parents’ faces if they found us in bed together, even fully clothed.”
“We’ll text them not to pick you up.”
Dropping my voice in case Lucas was on his way back, I whispered, “I’m really not in any state for a repeat performance of last night.”
“I wasn’t hinting at that, Nikki. I really meant sleeping. Besides, I’ll keep Storm between us to prove I have no ill intentions.” He caressed Storm’s back, his fingers spanning the baby’s entire rib cage.
“Icoulduse a nap.”
His face didn’t break into a smile, but his eyes glinted with quiet pleasure.
Lucas walked back out then. “Behave yourselves.”
I rolled my eyes. After the door shut, Liam held out his hand. I wrapped my fingers around his, and together we walked to his bedroom.
I was surprised to find the bed made. It wasn’t that I imagined Liam was a slob, but I did wonder when he’d had time to tidy up considering the day he’d had. After setting an alarm on his phone, speaking to Nate and subsequently to my parents, he placed Storm in the middle of the bed and laid down. I grabbed a towel from his bathroom and tucked it over the pillow, then climbed atop the comforter and curled onto my side.
Liam reached over and rested his hand on my hip. “Just in case you convulse.”
I wasn’t sure if that was his reason for touching me, but I wasn’t about to complain. “What did Nate say?”
“That Miles could hardly look him in the eye he was so embarrassed about having abandoned you.”
“So he doesn’t remember?”
“Fortunately for him, seems that way.” His thumb traced slow arcs against my hipbone, all at once causing my skin to break out in goosebumps and my eyelashes to flutter closed.
“Good,” I murmured.
I didn’t put much stock in actually falling asleep, but I must’ve been really tired, because the next thing I knew, the shower was running, the sky was pitch-black, and Storm’s face was nuzzled against my chest.
He stirred, and then the corner of his lips pitched downward as though he were about to cry. But then his mouth straightened and parted around deep breaths. I smoothed out his damp curls, then ran my nose over his forehead wondering what he could be dreaming about.
“You had a tiring day, too, huh?” I murmured.
His eyelashes fluttered but still didn’t rise.
“You talk in your sleep,” came a deep voice behind me.
I cringed as I looked over my shoulder. Liam stood with only a towel knotted around his waist, revealing glistening, stacked abs peppered with bruises. One was particularly nasty. I imagined he’d gotten it from his altercation with Miles.
“What did I say this time? Nothing too mortifying I hope.”
“Just that I was the best lay you’d ever had.”
I rolled my eyes. “You wish.” According to Adalyn, with whom I’d had innumerable sleepovers, nothing I said ever made sense.
Liam sat down on the edge of the bed beside me, which made the mattress dip. “I do wish.”
