He tickled her side until she bent toward him, hiding from his hand, and finally she was giggling hard enough that he was able to take the soft, plush thing from her hand.
“Why, Minnie Ward, is this a rag doll?”
She sighed in defeat. “Perhaps.”
He held it up before him, squinting in the dim light. Yes, there it was. A face, but it was faded, the pink pattern on the dress muted.
“How long have you had this?”
“All my life,” she said softly. “My grandmother gave it to me. It helps me sleep. I know it’s silly, but?—”
His heart melted.
“It’s not silly at all,” he said, looking at her with a smile. “It’s sweet.”
He tucked the doll back against her side. “Don’t be scared to share things with me. There’s nothing I will judge you for.”
“Tommy?” Her voice was soft, hesitant.
“Yes?”
“I’m cold.”
“I’ll go stoke the fire.”
“No,” she said, turning to reach out a hand and cover his chest, holding him down before he could lift the blankets. “Stay here. Do… do you think you could hold me? Warm me up a bit?”
Her eyes searched his face, hesitant, uncertain, and he held no power to keep himself away.
“Of course,” he said, even though he knew that this just might break him.
A smile lit her eyes as she turned toward the wall beforesnuggling back and pressing her body into his, which instantly rounded over her. She fit perfectly into the C his body made, her back against his chest, her buttocks resting achingly against his groin, and he had to shift so that she didn’t feel the evidence of his desire that immediately made itself known from her proximity.
Her entire body relaxed in his arms, while Tommy’s was instantly on alert.
His arms wrapped around her, holding her close, as he nuzzled his nose into the freshness of her hair, which smelled like sweet peas. He inhaled her, holding her scent deep within him before sighing it out, and she snuggled back even closer against him, causing his hand to fall onto her stomach. Belatedly, he realized that her nightdress was bunched high on her waist, and if he moved his hand a little bit, it would fall onto the soft, bare skin of her thigh.
She laced her fingers in between his, lifting their clasped hands so that they rested on the underside of her breast.
Was she doing this on purpose? Did she want him as much as he wanted her? And if they went any further… just what would that mean for those desperate feelings for her that he was struggling to contain?
Her body was no longer soft, relaxed before him, but rather tense, on edge, as though she was waiting for what would happen next.
“Minnie?” he finally breathed out, unable to take the tension any longer. “Is all well?”
“Everything is just fine,” she said, her voice breathy, her words coming out as a sigh. “I cannot fall asleep.”
“Why not?”
“I’m on edge, I think,” she said.
“Can I help you with that?” he asked, thinking of how exactly he could help her, but he was too afraid to say it aloud.
“I think you could.”
He swallowed hard.
“How so?”
