Page 56 of Rise Above

that, turning the topic to someone else. I turned to face her in the bed, blankets falling down to my waist.

Again, she snuggled into my chest, resting her head

on my pecs. It made my heart accelerate. This woman was doing things to me, but I couldn’t let that distract me. There was something she didn’t want to tell me. Which was fine, but I couldn’t help but try to push.

“Can we cross that bridge later? This is only our

first sleepover.”

“When do I get to unlock the full Aife backstory?”

My voice gentled, emotions hitting me for no reason.

She pulled the blankets over her shoulders. “One

day, Talon. For some reason, I already trust you.”

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Sun filtered in through my partly opened curtains,

causing me to groan in frustration. I slept surprisingly well last night with Aife cuddled up to me all night. Her tiny body was so warm, and I loved the feeling of it pressed against me. Currently, she had one leg thrown over my thigh. Her head was hiding in my bare chest and her little hand curled around my bicep. It was like she was trying to live inside my body. Her breath still came in deep and evenly. I smiled as I watched the little koala for a minute before I decided to get up.

As quietly as possible, I pulled my phone off the

charger. It was seven, still early. Normally I didn’t wake up this early on a Sunday because Sundays were my off days. Sometimes, they still felt like my only day for normalcy. I loved being on the ice, but I also loved my bed. Aife sighed and nestled further into me. For some reason, I pressed a kiss to her forehead. She brought out the unexpected in me. I was not a lovey-dovey guy, even with Melody.

My phone started to vibrate, and I quietly answered

it. I really didn’t want to wake this woman up.

“Hey, Mom.”

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“Hi, honey.” Her voice was so bright for it being so

early in the morning. “Why are you speaking so softly? Did someone sleep over last night?”

“Jesus, Mom.” I sighed. “Why are you calling so

early?”

“Talon James Walker, is there a girl in your bed

right now?” Mom could sometimes be like a dog with a bone.

“There is a woman in my bed, yes. We are friends.”

“Friends?” She sounded incredulous. I wasn’t as

bad as my brothers, but I had once been quite the playboy, early in my college days.

“Yes.” I didn’t really want to say more, but I knew