Page 39

His eyes soften and he shakes his head, stroking his thumb over my cheek. “I’m not leaving you. Now, why don’t you tell me what happened tonight?”

“You know what? I’m really exhausted and I just want to crawl into bed right now.”

He nods and spins me in his arms so my back is pressed to his front and his arm is securely around my belly. “Sounds good. Let’s go.”

“You’re not invited,” I huff and he presses a kiss just behind my ear but says nothing else as he guides me to my bedroom. As soon as we walk in, a sense of calm descends over me and my king-sized bed calls my name. The lights of Baton Rouge twinkle from the large windows and I sigh as Chance releases me.

I turn to face him and he smiles, his dimple popping out. “What are you doing?”

“Waiting for you to get in bed,” he whispers as he leans back against the wall and crosses his arms over his chest.

“And where are you going to be?”

He looks down to his boots before looking back up at me. “Right here.”

“All night?”

He nods and I roll my eyes with a dramatic sigh.

“For fuck’s sake, get in bed.”

“Naw, baby. I’m good here.”

I shake my head as I push my jeans down my legs and kick off my heels. “Don’t act like this wasn’t your plan all along. Just get in bed.”

“I have no plan,” he says, pushing off the wall. “Just can’t stand the thought of leaving you right now so if you don’t want me in your bed, I’ll stay right here.”

Another brick in my wall is demolished and tears sting my eyes for a second time tonight. “Please sleep with me, Chance.”

He studies me for a second before approaching me slowly and sliding his hand into my hair. My eyes flutter closed and I take a deep breath as a feeling of calm overtakes me again.

“Look at me, Princess,” he whispers and I open my eyes, immediately swallowed up by the warm glow in his gaze. One corner of his mouth ticks up in a soft smile as he slowly lowers his head to mine and kisses me. It’s a soft sweet kiss that melts me to the core and as he pulls me into his body, I wonder how I’m even still standing. When he pulls back, his smile is even bigger and he brushes his thumb over my cheek once before pulling away from me and kicking his boots off.

“You gonna finish getting ready for bed or you gonna stare at me all night?” he asks, teasing me, and I shake my head as I reach down and pull my shirt over my head. He does the same and I barely hold back a grin. It almost feels like a game as I let my bra slide down my arms and he pushes his jeans down his legs. When we’re both in our underwear, we just stare at each other for a second before he marches over to me and lifts me into his arms.

“What are you doing?” I squeal, gripping his shoulders and he grins.

“Taking you to bed.”

I shiver and he turns out the lights before carrying me to bed, wrapping his arms tightly around me. I bury my face in his neck and let out a contented sigh. I may never admit it out loud as long as I live but I’m glad he’s here with me tonight.

“So,” he prompts, pulling back to look me in the eye as he trails his thumb down my cheek. “You going to tell me what happened tonight?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Wrong answer.”

I lift my chin in defiance and meet his stern look. “Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s the wrong answer. It was stupid and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

“Fine. Tell me something about you, then.”

I grimace and his lips pull back into a grin. “Can’t we just go to bed?”

“Nope. I’m wide awake.”

I groan, trying to roll away from him but he keeps me locked securely in his arms. “You’re so annoying.”

“Aw, you don’t mean that, Princess.”