“It is important. Thank you for listening. Some people don’t until it’s too late.” Great, now I’m getting morbid. “So, are we watching a movie?”
“Oh, yeah. Uh… what kind of movie do you want to watch?” Miles picks up the remote and clicks on a streaming app.
“Anything is fine,” I say. “I’m not picky.”
“Comedy, action, horror? Something in between?”
“Nothing with death or gore,” I say, unable to meet his gaze. I feel him watching me though, and Ifeelthe way the air changed just slightly.
“Have you seen any of the Conjuring movies?” he asks.
“Never heard of it.”
“They’re scary, like with demons and ghosts. Based on real events.” He sneaks a glance at me. “Unless you’d rather a comedy?”
“Scary is fine. But…” I take my last bite, putting my bowl on the table and wiping my mouth with the paper napkin. “If you wanted a reason to cuddle, you could have just said it.”
“Who said I want to cuddle?” He presses his foot against my thigh, pushing me a little. “In fact, you should probably go sit on the other end of the couch.”
I raise a brow. “Is that so?”
“Yeah. I hate cuddling.” He makes a disgusted face.
I grin. “You’re a fucking liar.”
He laughs again, my chest warming at the sound.
I take his empty bowl, put it on the coffee table, and lean into his space, taking his chin between my fingers and kissing him gently.
I said I wasn’t doing this, but I really can’t help it. I want Miles. It’s that simple.
“Is that really what you want?” I whisper.
“No,” he says softly. “Not at all.”
I kiss him once more, and I couldn’t tell you why it feels so easy or why I’m doing it at all. This isn’t what this is supposed to be. The lines are blurred. I tell myself one thing but do another, without any thought. And I know I’ll regret it all later, when I’m alone and remembering the fact that I’m married. But it’s so easy to lose myself with Miles.
“Switch spots with me,” I say.
Narrowing his eyes, he scoots over when I get up so I can sit on the end of the couch. He starts the movie, and I raise my arm so he can lean against my side.
“Get comfortable,” I tell him.
“I’m definitely comfortable.” He yawns. “I’m sorry if I fall asleep.”
“Don’t be sorry. You need it.”
We’re twenty minutes into the movie before he’s snoring softly. I shift and he wakes up.
“Lie down,” I say. He scoots down, resting his head on my thigh, and I run my fingers through his soft blond hair as I watch the movie. It’s seconds before he’s snoring again.
I brush the backs of my fingers over his smooth cheek. It’s a little flush, slightly warm.
He really must have drank a lot if he’s feeling this bad, days later.
The movie ends, and the screen goes black. I sit in the dark room, listening to Miles snore quietly and feeling his soft hair through my fingers until eventually, I fall asleep too.
Chapter 14
