My heart slammed against my rib cage, like it wanted to break free and go to him. I let the necklace fall, the chain sliding back into place over his chest, settling above his heart.
“I don’t… I don’t know what to say.”
Sebastian smiled—that stupid, fond smile—and before I could process anything else about this conversation, he leaned forward. Not in one smooth motion. He stopped. Hesitated.Gave me room. When I did nothing but stare, he closed the distance and pressed his lips to mine in a soft, fleeting kiss that sent fireworks through my entire body.
But it was just one.
Then he pulled back, giving me space again.
“Tomorrow?” he asked, hope threading through his voice.
I nodded. “Tomorrow.”
He rested his forehead against mine. “Can I convince you to sleep in my bed with me?”
My stomach swooped. I shook my head.
His fingers lifted to my jaw, his thumb brushing gently over my skin. “How about the couch? We could just sleep out here.”
“We’ve been sleeping in chairs for two days,” I said. “Do you really want to keep that streak going when you have a perfectly good bed available?”
His lips twitched. “If it means I get to stay close to you, yeah. I’ll take the couch.”
Fuck. Me.
“Fine,” I said. “I’ll get the pillows.”
Sebastian smiled again, brushing a kiss to my cheek before standing, looking almost giddy. “I’ll grab the blankets.”
We moved the couch cushions to make more room, gathered pillows, and settled in facing each other under a thick blanket. We managed to keep our distance for maybe a second before our legs tangled together, the soft brush of feet against calves and thighs sending warmth through me. His hand rested at the back of my neck, his mouth only a breath away as I held him by the waist, keeping him close.
“Goodnight, my darling,” he said, so soft.
I nudged my nose against his. “Goodnight.”
As I closed my eyes, exhaustion finally claiming me, I felt his lips brush mine again—just a whisper of a kiss, one I answered before sleep pulled us under.
Then we fell fast, wrapped in each other.
I was lifted, the movement almost startling me awake, but I was too groggy to fight sleep. I curled into the body holding me, pressing my face into the warm skin of his neck.
Ash.
“What are you doing?” The words came out tangled together.
“Taking you to bed,” he murmured. “Keep sleeping.”
A moment later, I was lowered onto the bed, blankets pulled up around me as I sank into the mattress. I felt him tuck them in and press a kiss to my temple.
“I’m going to the hospital.”
My hand reached for his shirt, fingers curling weakly.
“Everything’s okay.” He caught my wrist. “I’m just giving Oli a break. Sleep.”
I nodded, eyes still closed, face buried in the pillow.
One last kiss, and he was gone.
