Despite the lie I spun to my assistant, I slept shockingly well with this woman in my arms.
It’s a remarkable feat, considering I’m a god-awful sleeper.
Although I curse my insomnia most nights, I’m grateful for the built-in excuse now.
Quinn replies, confirming he’ll take care of everything.
With a sigh, I close my eyes and rest my head back against the pillow.
“Are you okay?” a groggy voice says.
I turn my head, finding her pretty blue eyes searching my face.
Ignoring her question, I reach out, unable to resist touching her now after holding her unabashedly all night.
I tuck her hair behind her ear and cup her cheek, savoring the way her lips curve up in a smile in response. I don’t want her worrying after me for even a second. Despite the long day ahead, she’s my one and only priority right now.
“Good morning,” I say, my own voice thick. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m…” She trails off, closes her eyes, and shakes her head, that now familiar look of embarrassment appearing.
“Hey.” I smooth my thumb back and forth over her cheekbone. “None of that. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
She keeps her eyes closed for a few seconds and inhales, like she’s gathering her composure.
Finally, she opens them again, focusing on me. “You spent the night,” she states plainly.
“Not intentionally,” I object. “I’m so sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I guess I fell asleep, and I only woke up a few minutes ago.”
With a soft smile, she shrugs. “You never make me uncomfortable. Besides… nothing happened.”
She’s not wrong.
But my god, how I wish she were.
After she fell asleep last night, I stayed up for at least an hour, holding her close, fantasizing about what it would be like if I could make her mine.
Her body is sensational, every soft curve molding into my frame as if it were made to be there.
I allowed my mind to wander recklessly, ignoring all the very real reasons why nothing can ever happen between us. I focused on how her hip felt under my hand. Relished the rhythm of her inhales and exhales, letting it soothe me. I soaked up every minute, filled with pride that in my arms, she was able to truly rest. But I didn’t anticipate that her breathing, a metronome of calm, would lull me into a deep, restful sleep so easily.
Despite how incredible it was, it can never happen again.
“I know nothing happened.” I pause, letting the sentiment linger, and allowing myself one more moment of indulgent, wishful thinking. “It was my honor to be here for you. I wanted to ensure you were okay today and promise you that what happened last night will never happen again.”
Her face falls, hurt mingling with embarrassment.
Angling closer, I rush to ease her discomfort.
“It has nothing to do with you, Evangeline. You’re amazing. Beautiful and captivating. I’m in awe of everything you do. Any man—” I cut myself off, clenching my jaw.
I can’t even think about another man having her. Yet she’s not mine to claim.
Changing tack, I offer a sincere apology. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep in your bed last night. And for that, I’m truly sorry.”
“I’m not.” Nostrils flaring in challenge, she shifts closer and tentatively reaches for my hand.
My breath catches at the contact.
