“No?” he said, his lips twisting into a wry grin. “Then, why is it?”
Avery lifted her chin. “We just have to establish the parameters, starting with which side of the bed do you want?” She tilted her head toward the elephant in the room.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” he said, not making it any less awkward.
She nodded, obviously accepting that she would have to push through. “You always liked the side closest to the door, so I’ll take the opposite.” Avery marched to the left side, pulled back the comforter and slid between the sheets. In the process, her T-shirt rose up over her hip, exposing a pair of bright red bikini panties before the sheet and comforter hid them from his view.
Another groan, much like the one he’d released while she’d been in the shower, rose up his throat.
He swallowed hard to force it back and crossed to the light switch on the wall, flicking it off, leaving only the lamps on the nightstand glowing. Knowing it was a mistake that would cost him even a hint of sleep, he walked slowly toward the bed.
Still wearing his jeans, he lay down on top of the comforter.
“You’re going to sleep on top of the blanket?” she asked, an eyebrow cocked.
He laced his hands behind his head and stared up at the ceiling. “It’s hot in here.”
“You’re closest to the thermostat, you can adjust it down.”
“I’ll get used to it,” he murmured. “Go to sleep, Avery.”
She leaned over, turned off the light on her side and settled back against her pillow.
Grant reached out and turned off his light.
The room was plunged into darkness, the blackout curtains over the window doing a good job of blocking out the lights from the parking lot.
Silence reigned.
Avery didn’t stir beside Grant. Not a single movement.
Grant lay just as still, listening for her breathing and wondering if she’d finally fallen asleep.
“I’m sorry you got dragged back into my life,” Avery whispered.
Her words stabbed him in his heart. “Are you really? Because I’m not.”
For a long moment, she didn’t answer. Then one word sounded in the darkness. “No.”
She moved in the bed beside him. Unable to see what she was doing, he could only guess she’d rolled onto her side, facing him.
He rolled over to face her, careful not to touch her. Just because she was lying beside him didn’t give him permission to act like they were back together, that two years apart hadn’t meant anything.
“Yours was the only name, the only number that came to mind when I woke. After...everything...you didn’t have to, but…thank you for coming.”
A hand reached out to touch his arm, sending a rush of warmth straight to his heart.
He raised his hand to clasp hers. Gently. Loosely. If she wanted to pull away, she could.
“I’m glad I came,” he whispered. God, he’d missed her more than he’d ever imagined one person could miss another.
Just because she let him hold her hand didn’t mean she wanted him back in her life permanently. Though it was a small gesture, he’d have to be satisfied. For now. Whatever he did, he had to take it slowly and let her set the pace. Or not.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Sleep. I’m here. You’ll be safe.”
“Yeah.” She yawned and then whispered so softly he wasn’t sure of her words. They sounded like, “But will you?”
Her body relaxed beside him, her hand going limp in his.
