Page 50 of Hearts Storm

“I’m fine,” my voice wobbles. “Just couldn’t sleep.”

“Bad dream?”

Caught off guard, I hesitate. “Yeah.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“No.” The word comes out a little too sharp, so I soften it with a sigh. “Not really.”

I reach for the soap.

“Okay. I’ll just hang out here until you’re done.”

A small laugh escapes. “Not necessary.”

“I know.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “But I’m gonna anyway.”

And he does. Not saying much, just humming something low and tuneless that for some reason makes me feel calm. Safe.

When I’m finished, I shut off the water and wait as I drip, suddenly aware that I’m totally naked.

“Brex?”

“Yeah?” he murmurs softly.

“Can you hand me my towel?”

The curtain ripples slightly before his large hand appears, holding it out for me.

When I step out, Brex is leaning against the sink, wearing a T-shirt and a pair of boxers. His gaze travels slowly over me, lingering on where I have my hand fisted in the towel, clutching it to my chest.

“Not to overstep,” he murmurs. “But there’s one thing I know for sure that’ll help you sleep, Pretty. If you’ll let me?”

The heat in his eyes tells me he’s definitely not offering to fix me a cup of bedtime tea. My breath catches in my throat as I consider his words.

He pushes off the sink, moving into my space. “No one has to know,” he whispers, reaching up to brush his knuckles softly down my cheek.

Touch feather-light, it sends electricity crackling across my skin. I should say no. Go back to my room alone and try to sleep. But my nightmare still lingers on the edges of my brain, and right now Brex’s presence seems to be the only thing keeping it at bay.

The way he’s looking at me has all promises of keeping things professional flying out the fucking window. “Okay.”

His eyes widen with surprise, then darken. Without another word, I turn and walk out of the bathroom and down the hall to my room, hyperaware he’s less than two steps behind me. When we reach my door, I glance around before stepping inside.

Brex closes the door and turns the lock.

“Get into bed,” he grunts. The words come as a command, but his tone is soft.

I drop the towel.

All I hear is a sharp intake of breath as I climb onto the bed. Holding the sheets up to my chest, I watch as Brex reaches behind his head and pulls off his shirt. His boxers are next, joining the pile on the floor. Naked, he stalks across the room, mattress dipping under his weight as he settles in beside me. For a moment, we regard each other, the air between us charged with anticipation.

“You’re shivering,” he murmurs, reaching out to brush a strand of damp hair away from my face.

“Not from the cold,” I whisper, and it’s true. The air in the room feels much colder now than it did when I first woke up. But with Brex looking at me the way he is right now?

Heat pools low in my belly as he slowly leans in, giving me plenty of time to pull away. When I don’t, he closes the distance, lips grazing mine in a kiss that starts out soft before it deepens.

Tongue licking in to tangle with mine, he trails his fingers down my arm and I let out a little squeak.