I nod, my face heating. "I know. I'm sorry. I tried not to fail you."
He sighs. "You didn't fail me, Bluebird. And your health and safety are first and foremost for your own good, not mine or anyone else's."
Bluebird.
He still loves me even though I disappointed him.
"Okay." I lift my sweater and slowly tug it over my head, then shake my hair out. My heart beats wildly, and blood pumps viscously through my veins.
"What are you doing?" he asks, voice rough, eyes darting over my body.
I close the distance between us. I put my palm over his heart, happy to feel it thumping as hard as mine. "Am I hideous now?"
"Don't," he warns.
I tilt my head, widening my eyes. "Don't what, Dr. Mercer?"
He grabs my wrist and moves it off his chest. In a firm tone, he reiterates, "If I'm staying, nothing sexual is happening between us. If you can't agree and stick to your word, then I can't stay. Understand?"
My insides quiver, and my voice shakes. "So I am hideous?"
A sound drags from deep in his chest. "You know damn well you aren't."
Happiness shoots through me. I bat my eyes, lean closer, and kiss his hand.
"I'm firm on my boundaries," he threatens, releasing my wrist.
I step back and smile. "Okay, Red." I pull the covers down, then saunter around the bed, and slide into my side. I pat the space next to me. "Take off your clothes, get comfy, and I promise I'll obey you."
His eyes narrow.
Heat spreads through my chest. "You don't trust me?"
A half-laugh comes out before he catches it.
I keep my expression neutral. "I promise I won't cross your boundary."
He stares at me for another moment, then sits on the bed, his face away from me.
I wait several minutes, barely able to restrain myself from touching him, before I ask, "Why are you sitting there?"
"I'm debating."
"About what?"
"What do you think?"
I sit up and soften my tone. "Red, get comfy. I'm not going to rape you in your sleep. I promise."
He turns his head and pins his challenging gaze on mine.
"Don't I get some leeway? You came here to help me, so I'm safe tonight. I'm embarrassed enough. Can't I prove to you that I won't cross your boundary?" I plead.
His face relaxes. "Okay."
"Good. For the love of God, get comfy. Sleep is important, according to Dr. Mercer," I tease.
He arches his eyebrows, then a chuckle escapes his lips.
