She nods slowly and then rests her head on my chest.
Within minutes, her breathing has evened out and I know she’s asleep.
I take a deep breath.
Tomorrow is going to be a shit show, but on the bright side, I’m going to wake up with Brooke in my bed, and that alone changes everything.
Chapter
Nineteen
BROOKE
I waketo the sound of my phone buzzing from the nightstand. My alarm, more than likely.
Last I knew, it was dead, but by the looks of it, that’s no longer the case. I know I fell asleep before Dutton, but I didn’t expect him to plug my phone in for me or set a glass of water next to it.
I’d avoided every text and call last night and was even relieved when the battery ran out. I’ve never done that. Usually, I’m too paranoid to let my phone die, but yesterday, I needed it.
I needed to let the outside world just fade away.
Nothing mattered to me outside of Dutton and making sure he was okay.
I should have been worried about the man who has clearly been stalking me, but I wasn’t.
It’s crazy to think that even after having a father who works in law enforcement, I knew finding Dutton was what I needed tofeel safe. From the moment he was next to me, I knew everything was going to be okay.
I’ve had friends and I’ve had family who have been there for me when I needed them, but Dutton, he’s here for me in a different way. In a more intimate way, and I never thought I’d know what that felt like.
A quick glance at the clock tells me it’s four in the morning.
I silence the first wakeup call and pull up my messages, ignoring all of them except the one Daisy sent last night.
Daisy
I’ll keep this short since I’m sure you’re busy after the rumor I just heard, but I closed up the bakery, and I plan to open for you in the morning. Sammie is going to come in when the doors open at six. Call me when you’re ready. Talk to you tomorrow. I hope you’re okay.
I couldn’t have asked for better coworkers.
Brooke
Thank you. I’ll be in later this morning.
As soon as I hit send, the bed moves and a hand slinks over my midsection, pulling me back.
The moment my body is flush with his, Dutton takes a deep breath.
He doesn't say anything, so I relax into his embrace and close my eyes, feeling the touch of his lips to the back of my shoulder.
Yesterday sucked so bad, but last night was everything.
I just don't know where we go from here, and the feeling I have of being in Dutton’s arms first thing in the morning is so overly satisfying, I’m not sure I want to find out just yet.
I don’t want this happiness to be taken from me too soon.
“Good morning,” he says, and the gruff edge to his morning voice sounds all too delicious.
“Morning,” I say and rub my thighs together when his fingers start to make small circles over my lower stomach the way they did last night right before he slipped a finger inside of me. Right before he pressed his weight against me and put his mouth on me.
