26
Frankie
I wokeup groggy and confused but incredibly rested. Possibly the best sleep I’d gotten in years.
Hot breath exhaled against my ear, and an arm pulled me closer. I blinked open my eyes, and pre-dawn light was just coming over the surrounding hills of the pool house. Sleeping in Harrison’s arms was like being wrapped in the world’s most comfortable blanket, fresh from the dryer on a day off.
I closed my eyes again and let myself imagine a life like this. One where we weren’t playing house and fake family, where I woke up like this until I forced him out of bed to go make coffee for us. Or better yet, he’d wake me up with a tease of his fingers or tongue. Maybe he’d roll me onto my stomach, grind his hardness into me, and find me wet and ready.
It caused such an acute longing in my chest, I forced the thoughts aside and sat up.
Harrison mumbled sweetly, grasping for me in his sleep, as though he couldn’t help himself from reaching for me. It was enough to make me fall back and lay down facing him as I studied his quieted features.
One more minute wouldn’t hurt. I kept my fist tucked under me to keep from running a finger down the slope of his nose or over his softly pursed lips.
Maybe my thoughts were too loud because he blinked open his eyes.
I smiled bashfully, having been caught staring.
“Hi,” I said.
“Morning,” he mumbled.
“We better get back to our rooms before the others wake up,” I said because it felt safer thanWe better make out about it.
He grumbled and rubbed his eyes. There was a moment before he was fully awake when he was looking at me in a way I couldn’t define. His usual silliness was gone, and there was a rawness in his expression that had me almost launching myself at him. That same patch of hair stuck straight up.
I grinned and ran my fingers through it before I realized what I was doing.
He smiled sleepily at me. “I’m still dreaming.”
My heart clenched.
“We’re both awake. Let’s go get coffee.”
“Shh. Don’t wake me. I like this part.”
He leaned forward to kiss me. It was an innocent press of lips, but it made my pulse ricochet. I wanted to deepen it, wanted to fall into this warmth, but we really did need to get going before having to explain to the others. Also, I really needed to brush my teeth.
“Harrison,” I said ,trying to be firm but, as always, weakening under his charm. “The sun is almost up.”
He blinked again, really rubbing his eyes. “Sorry. I—”
“It’s okay. I just have a lot to do today, okay? I’ll meet you back up there.”
He nodded and glanced at his lap. “I’ll be up in a minute.”
The rest of the day only got worse from there. George and Collette both woke up on the wrong side of the bed. The changes I made to the story in the pool house glitched while saving to the cloud—yes, I did understand how the cloud worked, in theory—and I had to redo a bunch of work. Collette cried about every little inconvenience, and honestly, I got it. Some days were just big feelings days. I was having one of those.
I wished I could go back in time and redo the morning. Instead of rushing out of bed, I would let myself have just a few more minutes in my Harrison fantasy. Warm and comfy and responsibility free.
Brooks texted that afternoon. “Karaoke night at the bar. COME OUT WITH ME!”
I sighed loudly.
“What’s wrong?” Harrison asked.
“Nothing. Brooks.”
