“I can get them!” Her voice is sounding stronger. “Geez, Carson, I’m not helpless.”
I pick up the gray pants and long-sleeved top she wore last night. “Here you go.” I turn my back and walk over to my own suitcase. With my back to Ayla, I drop the towel and step into my plaid flannel pants. I busy myself straightening a few things in the suitcase to give her time to get her pajamas on. Also for my boner to stand down.
When I turn, she’s dressed and sitting on the side of the bed.
Those pajamas shouldn’t be that sexy.
“I feel bad,” she says. “I really was going to sleep on the couch.”
I move closer, assessing her. “You look like crap.”
Her bottom lip pushes out. “Gee, thanks.”
“Sorry. You’re always beautiful.”
Her eyelashes flutter at that.
“But right now, you look washed out and exhausted. Lie down.”
And when she does, I lie down beside her.
“Carson…”
“What do you need, angel?”
Crap.I just said that.
“Nothing. But…”
“It’s okay. Go to sleep. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
She settles and I have to smile at the familiarity of her habits; she gets into sleep position on her side. Then she brushes her hair off her neck. Tugs her pajama top down. Moves her hips to get more comfortable. Adjusts her pillow. Moves her hair again.
I used to tease her that she spends ten minutes just getting comfortable.
It’s only a few minutes before her breathing slows. I slip off the bed to turn out the lights. I look at the couch. Jesus. Lastnight was hell. My neck is better than it was when I woke up this morning, but it still fucking hurts.
I won’t touch her. And I’ll be near if she needs anything. So I climb into bed with her. And as if she senses me there, she reaches out a hand and clutches my arm.
* * *
I wake up in the morning with a warm, soft woman in my arms.
It’s been a long time and yet it feels so natural.
I also have morning wood. Dammit.
I breathe in the scent of Ayla’s hair. Is she still asleep? How did we end up like this? Probably our bodies recognized each other and just migrated toward each other.
I feel when she becomes conscious. She stirs. Then stiffens. Her head whips around.
“Oh my God. Carson.”
I wait for her to shove me away but she just sighs and relaxes, her back to my front.
“How do you feel?”
“Fine. Totally fine.” She pauses. “Just… well, a little embarrassed.”
