Page 47 of You Saw the Best In Me

If it were an average day, I’d be slightly embarrassed about having to walk out in only a towel in front of Karina, but at this point, I couldn’t care less.

I open the door and see her looking like a work of art in my bed.

She’s tangled in the sheets with her hair draped across the pillows, and she looks so cozy I almost don’t want to disturb her.

I walk in front of the TV she’s watching to get a pair of boxers, and her eyes widen when she notices me standing there.

“Dinner and a show? This night can’t get any better,” she smiles, stretching and sitting up.

I can’t help but smile back at her, shaking my head and wondering how this is reality.

It’s hard to fathom that a woman as beautiful as Karina is in my bed, but her witty comments throw me off guard even more.

I bring the rest of my clothes to the bathroom, close the door, and hear her call me a tease from the comfort of my bed.

“Shower’s all yours,” I say, tossing the dirty clothes in the laundry basket.

“I’ll go in the morning if that’s alright?” she asks, sipping her drink and lying back down.

“Of course. I will lock everything and set up the sofa bed. Do you need anything else?” I lean against the door frame, waiting for her answer.

She looks like she’s thinking about something, but I don’t rush her. Our dynamic consists of many things, but patience is a big one. We seem to never overstep or attempt to fill the silence, and I’m learning how beautiful a connection with another person can be.

“Sleep with me? I don’t want to be alone, Mav,” she finally says, the words coming out slow and her voice shaking.

“Are you sure?” I ask, not wanting to pressure her into anything.

I’d hate for her to think this is what I expect because I’m keeping her safe in my apartment.

“Please,” she begs, and I can’t resist.

I tell her I’ll be back in a few minutes, and she gets back under the blankets, waiting for me.

Even though we are on the second floor, I ensure all the windows are locked in the living room and triple-check that the deadbolt and chain are secure.

I take two bottles of water from the fridge and turn off the lights. The last thing I need is my weapon and I intend to keep close by, right on my nightstand.

I take a deep breath and walk into the bedroom, where the most beautiful woman waits for me to climb into bed with her.

“You’re bringing that to bed?” she asks, and I nod.

“It won’t do anything if it’s in the kitchen or back in the safe. We need to have it close, just in case,” I say, and she doesn’t question me further.

I get under the covers, the bed warm from her being in it already.

“Hi,” she whispers, coming closer.

I move the hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear and admiring her beauty.

I’ve never noticed the freckles on her nose that spread across her cheeks, but now that I’ve seen them, I could never forget.

She has a slight grin on her face, like she’s finally relaxed, and her eyes are back to their normal, captivating hazel color.

“Are you scared?” I ask, purposely being vague to see what she says.

“Scared of Asher? Yeah, I always am. I think I might be more afraid of you, though,” she touches my cheek, her fingers stopping on the small scar on my chin.

“You scare the shit out of me, Karina,” I whisper, not taking my eyes off her.