“Completely,” she muttered, sliding in on her side, careful of her shoulder. The mattress dipped under his weight, and the moment she felt him settle in, her body relaxed like it had been waiting for that exact thing all day.
Pierce turned onto his side, facing her. The room was dim now, only the bedside lamp casting a soft glow. His hair was slightly damp from his own quick shower earlier. His lounge pants sat low on his hips, and Charley immediately had to redirect her gaze because she was not about to start a new problem for herself at midnight with guests down the hall and a SEAL with shirtless abs two inches away.
He reached up and brushed a strand of her hair away from her face, his thumb grazing her cheek. “You sure you’re okay?” he asked again, and there was something deeper under it. Not just physical.
Charley nodded, her throat tight. “I feel safe,” she whispered. “I haven’t felt that in… a long time.”
Pierce’s expression softened, and he leaned in, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Good,” he murmured. “That’s the goal.”
Charley took a breath, then decided she was done being timid tonight. She scooted closer, slow and deliberate, and curled her body against his. Her head tucked under his chin, her hand resting lightly on his bare chest, where she could feel the steady beat of his heart.
Pierce went still for half a second as if her boldness surprised him. Then his arms came around her, strong and careful, pulling her close in a way that made her heart flutter.
Charley tilted her face up. “Is this okay?” she whispered.
Pierce’s eyes dropped to her mouth. “Charley,” he said softly, “I’m trying very hard to be a gentleman right now.”
The words sent a warm shiver through her, equal parts nervous and thrilled. “You’re doing great,” she whispered, then kissed him before she could overthink it.
Pierce kissed her back immediately, slow and tender at first. Then it deepened just a touch, enough to steal her breath, enough to make her forget there were walls and hallways and other people and the entire world outside his bed.
When Charley shifted closer, feeling brave and wanting more, Pierce broke the kiss with a soft groan and pressed his forehead to hers like it physically hurt him to stop.
“Okay,” he murmured, voice tight. “Time out.”
Charley grinned. “Time out?”
Pierce nodded toward the wall, as if it had personally offended him. “These walls are thin,” he said quietly. “And unless you want Ray, Jessica, and Seth to hear the story of how I died because your uncle found out I couldn’t behave myself—”
Charley’s eyes widened, then she slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing too loud. “Pierce!”
He gave her a look. “I’m serious. I’m trying to protect you. And myself.”
Charley’s shoulders shook with silent laughter, and she buried her face against his chest, the sound coming out muffled and breathy. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “That is the least sexy thing you could possibly say.”
Pierce huffed a laugh. “Yeah? It’s working, though.”
Charley lifted her head and narrowed her eyes at him, amusement sparkling despite everything. “Barely.”
Pierce’s gaze warmed, his thumb brushing the side of her face again. “Nothing happens tonight,” he said gently, the humor fading into something sincere. “Not because I don’t want it. Because I do. But because you’ve been through hell today, and Iwant you to sleep. I want you to feel safe. I want you to wake up tomorrow and know the world didn’t swallow you whole.”
Charley’s chest tightened, her eyes stinging. She nodded slowly. “Okay,” she whispered. “I can do that.”
Pierce kissed her once more. This time soft and lingering, like a promise. When they parted, he pulled her back into his arms, tucking her close like he could shield her from everything.
Charley exhaled, her body finally relaxing. She could feel Pierce’s heartbeat steady under her palm. His warmth wrapped around her, and for the first time all day, her mind stopped replaying gunshots and blood and screaming sirens.
All she could feel was him.
Soon her eyelids grew heavy as Pierce’s hand moved slowly up and down her back. Moments later, her eyes closed, and she drifted off in Pierce’s arms, the darkness finally gentle instead of threatening.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Charley slowly opened her eyes as she rolled to her back.
She stared at the ceiling fan above Pierce’s bed as it turned. The sheets around her were warm and soft. The pillow she was lying on smelled like Pierce. It was a mix of soap and a clean linen scent. And something that always made her think of salt air.
She was surprised how good she felt after the shit storm of a day she had yesterday. She had actually slept through the night. She should probably thank Pierce for that. His steady warmth and the way his arms had wrapped around her like an anchor helped her mind and body to relax.
