If you're sure that's what you want, I can be there in five minutes.
There's nothing I want more than to fall asleep in your big strong arms.
OMW
I'll leave the front door unlocked.Lock it behind you and come up to my bedroom.Up the stairs and to your left.
I creep downstairs, unlock the door and turn on the porch light.Climb back into bed and try to contain an almost irrational level of excitement.
I hear an engine approach, shut off.A truck door close.I hear the front door creak open, click closed.His tread on the stairs.A pause at the top—examining the array of photos of Mallory and me through the years, arranged on the wall opposite the stairs.And then I hear his tread approach the bedroom.My door eases open quietly and his broad form fills the doorway.
Silver light from the full moon streams in from the transom window, bathing him, illuminating him.He's wearing a baggy pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, and he has a leather duffel bag in one hand, his phone and keys in the other.I'm on my side, curled up, facing the doorway.I smile at him, reach for him.
He approaches, kneels at the side of my bed."Hi."
I nuzzle into his neck, inhaling his scent, relishing the scratch of neckline stubble against my nose."Get in here."I scoot toward the middle of the bed, toss away the blankets.I flick a finger at him."But lose the clothes, mister."
"Yes ma'am," he answers, grinning.
He shucks his sweatpants and hoodie, leaving only a pair of pale gray boxer briefs, and climbs in with me, covering us both.
I immediately and instinctively seek the warmth and safety of his arms, nestling my cheek on his chest, sighing happily as his arm descends to wrap over my waist.My hands curl under my chin, and my eyes feel abruptly heavy.
"Morgan?"
I touch his lips."Sssshhhh."
"I can be out before Mal wakes up."
“No."I nuzzle closer, wanting to be as close to him as possible.I'd burrow entirely into him, if I could."Mal said, and I quote, 'if Coach Austin is down there when I get up in the morning, I'd be pretty happy for you.'"
"Oh.She's okay with this, then?"
"Yes, she is.More than okay, actually.She's happy for me."
"I just want to respect her, and your relationship with her.This goes however you and she are most comfortable."
I touch my lips to the underside of his jaw."I know, Noah.And that's why you're here."I touch his lips with my fingertips.“Now hush and hold me."
He rumbles a laugh."Yes ma'am."
I giggle."I could get into that."
His laugh is sleepy."I'd let you tie me up."
"Next time."
This time around, I tumble almost instantly into a deep, dreamless slumber.
