I walked over and perched at the foot of the bed, only for him to quickly join me at my sides. Our thighs pressed together. His shoulder seated next to mine.
I couldn’t help the goosebumps as they fled across my body, starting at my nose, and flooding my body all the way to my toes.
His warmth was simply… delicious.
“How are you really feeling, though?” Mav asked and nudged me softly.
I shrugged. “I’m honestly feeling okay. I didn’t even need my second dose of medication last night to get to sleep.”
He smiled, and it lit up his boyish features. “Good. That’s very good. We’ve been wondering when you’d turn a corner.”
“Well, consider it officially turned.”
He chuckled as he patted his hand on my knee. “I’ll be sure to let Dee and Axe know.”
That is, before he splayed his fingers against my knee and squeezed it softly.
“Mav?” I asked cocking my body to face him.
“Yes, Brielle?”
My eyes danced between his. “Do you think—.”
He tilted his head and cocked his body toward mine, fully facing me. “Do I think what, Brielle?”
I swallowed hard. “Do you think that my sister… knows about me?”
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I don’t know.”
“Have you guys been able to figure out much about her yet?”
His hand slid behind my head, cradling it in his palm. “We’re working on it.”
“Is there anything you can tell me? Anything at all?”
He smoothed this thumb underneath my eye. “Looking much better.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“Does your eye still hurt?”
I shook my head softly before I nuzzled against his hand. “No, it doesn’t.”
He smiled softly. “Good.”
His thumb trailed along my skin, exploring my face. His gaze danced around, as if he were drinking me in, and I found myself entranced by the soft motions. His thumb traced my lower lip. It made my knees quiver where I sat as his gaze studied my mouth. I parted my lips softly, wanting nothing more than for us to pick up right where we left off.
But instead, he dropped his hand and nodded. “I’m glad you’re on the mend.”
I couldn’t stand it any longer. He smelled delectable, and those muscles? Jesus Christ, I had dreamt for days about what his body might feel like pressed against mine. He walked with confidence and talked with grace. He cared, genuinely cared, about how I was doing. He harbored no guilt because he had never been a guilty party in my eyes, and all I wanted was to melt into him and never let go.
“Brielle,” Mav murmured.
My body must’ve taken control of my conscious mind, because when he said my name, I realized how closely I had leaned into him. I realized how much I had scooted against him.
“Jesus,” I whispered as I leaned back, “Mav, I’m s—.”
But he caught the back of my head with his hand and held me there. “Just tell me no.”
