Locking myself away in the bathroom, the door barely shuts before I’m squealing and running on the spot on the tips of my toes, clapping like a freaking idiot as a grin damn near splits my face. My heart is close to bursting out of my chest, not quite able to believe what my memory is absolutely certain of. Because there isn’t an amount of alcohol in the world that could ever fabricate the realness of Rayne’s lips on mine.
Slapping a hand over my mouth before I silently scream into my palm, eyes shutting as I relive the kiss over and over in my head, I thank the universe for finally blessing me with something good. I imprint the feel of Rayne’s lips on mine into my psyche, biting my lower lip and almost tasting him still hours later, and whisper my thanks to whatever guardian angel is watching over me for finally getting something right.
It takes longer than I care to admit for me to get my shit together enough to pee, wash my hands and face, and rapidly brush my teeth before reentering the living room.
My steps are silent as I tiptoe toward Rayne, my gaze running over his sleeping form as I smile down at him. His right arm is tucked behind his head, acting like a pillow, while his other is slung over his stomach. One of his legs is bent at the knee, his foot tucked beneath his other leg, his body relaxed as he lounges comfortably in his sleep. He looks so sweet when he sleeps, face smoothed out and relaxed. It’s cute.
“Quit watching me and come back to sleep,” he grumbles so suddenly that I damn near jump out of my skin, slapping a hand over my chest. The chest covered in a shirt he brought me and allowed me to change into while he went to the bathroom to give me privacy after kissing the sense out of me.
Before I can act, Rayne moves like a viper, striking before I can even get my thoughts in a straight and orderly line. I’m yanked back on top of him by his hand as it latches around mine, my fall very ungraceful but effective nonetheless.
The moment I’m horizontal and sprawled over him, he rearranges us until we’re both lying down comfortably, both of us on our sides with my head tucked beneath his chin and my hand pressed against his chest where I feel his heart beating beneath my palm. One of his arms acts as my pillow while the other bands around my back, hugging my body to his, while he latches one of his legs through mine and effectively traps me between him and the couch.
With a spine-tingling rumble, he says, “We’ll talk when the sun is up, okay? Just get some more sleep until then.”
As if I could possibly sleep now that I know what Rayne’s lips feel like against mine.
I’m about to mutter as much, but then the devil pulls back, drops a very brief but sweet kiss to my mouth, and whispers against my lips, “Sleep, mayhem.”
When he tucks my head back under his chin, I half-assedly grumble, “Easier said than done.”
I receive a snort in return, but I snuggle into his warmth and shut my eyes, taking a steadying, deep breath that actually helps relax my body.
I don’t actually remember falling back to sleep, but when my eyes open again, it’s to find sunlight streaming through the wall of windows that display the cloudless morning sky and the morning sunshine that now paints my entire living room.There’s an arm snugly wrapped around my waist, while the arm beneath my head lies stretched out in front of me, a cell phone clasped in its owner’s hand.
Blinking my eyes open properly, I catch sight of a planner app on Rayne’s phone, his thumb scrolling slowly, and I ask, “What’re you doing?”
His thumb pauses and the arm around my middle tightens before he relaxes again. His voice is less rough with sleep, and I wonder how long he’s been awake as he says, “Rescheduling today’s appointments so we can have that talk.”
I frown, feeling uncomfortable with him rearranging his workday just to talk to me about everything that was said last night. I mean, I’m sure that doesn’t need an entire day, right? Plus, I kind of think I need a hot minute to wrap my head around the reality of what happened myself.
So, with a shake of my head, I say, “Why don’t I come to your studio? We can talk when you have a free minute.”
Rayne pauses for a long moment before he finally asks, “You sure? You’re not going to disappear again?”
Even though that is definitely earned, I can’t stop the wince, and I nod slowly. “Promise. I won’t disappear.”
“You’re definitely going to stop by?” he assures, and I instantly feel bad for avoiding him and the others all week.
Biting my lip, I nod again, holding out my pinky finger. “I pinky swear.”
There’s no hesitation in him as he links his pinky with mine, keeping them latched together as he draws them back to my stomach and says, “All right. We’ll talk later, then. I’ll text you the address to the studio.”
Fighting the goofy-ass grin that wants to break free, I bobblehead my way through yet another nod, and he chuckles against my back. Goose bumps break free over my entire body, the rumble of his chest sending delicious shivers down my spine.
It doesn’t go unnoticed, and Rayne quietly asks, “You okay?”
“Mhm,” I answer quickly, swallowing hard and willing my heart to calm the hell down.
It doesn’t, of course, but I’m saved by Rayne’s cell ringing, a name I don’t recognize appearing on the screen. Swiping on the green icon to answer, Rayne puts Mikey on speakerphone and greets, “Hey, man. What’s up?”
“Yo, brother. You good?” the guy on the other end asks.
“I’m good, yeah. Everything good with you? You at the studio yet?” Rayne wonders, his thumb mindlessly brushing over my stomach and setting off a furious round of butterflies that make me fidgety.
“That’s why I’m calling,” the Mikey character replies, and I hear the wince in his voice. “I’m not going to make it in until later this morning. Laylah had a meltdown and wouldn’t go with my mom, so I’m having to bring her in with me, but we’re going to be a bit late since I have to get her ready and everything. Think you could cover my nine o’clock appointment? I called the guy and he’s cool with you taking over if you have the space.”
Just as Rayne replies, I wiggle out of his hold and stand, gesturing to the bathroom as he speaks. He’s nodding as he says, “How long an appointment is it?”
