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“She’s struggling with those last two teeth,” he says. “But it’s too early for more Tylenol just yet.”
We stand in the hallway, and I know he’s waiting for me to make a decision about where I’m going to sleep although I dropped my bag in his room.
Knowing exactly where I want to be, I turn toward his bedroom. I could test him by grabbing my bag and going to the guest room, but that seems a little immature, considering the weight of the things floating between us.
“I’m going to get ready for bed,” I tell him, scooping up the strap to my bag as soon as I walk into his room.
I disappear before he can say anything, not like I really expect him to.
I wash my face, brush my teeth, and change into the very tank top and shorts he had such a problem with that day he video chatted with Aria.
He doesn’t seem the least bit annoyed that I’m wearing it now, and a zing of arousal shoots through me as he adjusts his cock behind his boxer briefs while raking his eyes up the length of me.
“Ready for bed?” he asks, his voice gruff and filled with promise.
I answer by crossing the room, making my way to the side I know he doesn’t sleep on.
“Actually,” he says before I can pull back the blankets, “I’ve been sleeping on that side.”
I swallow, feeling a little tearful that the first time I sleep in his bed it won’t be in the exact same place his late wife used to sleep. He can’t imagine what that means to me, that I was afraid that being there would only lead to more feelings of loss. I was terrified he’d lie awake all night and regret me being there even though he was the one who issued the invite. I didn’t want him to evaluate the situation and find me lacking. It makes me understand that, despite what he says or what happens after tonight, I’m still going to be comparing myself to her for a very long time.
We climb into the bed at the same time, and he doesn’t waste a second pulling me to him.
It doesn’t go like I anticipated at all.
He doesn’t trail his hands down my body or search for my mouth. He doesn’t whisper how hard he is even though I feel his eagerness pressing against me.
He simply presses his lips to my forehead in a soft kiss, sighs with relieved contentment, and falls asleep with me in his arms.
It’s the most intimate moment of my entire life.
***
I always thought a perfect night’s sleep was a thing of fairy tales, but last night proved me wrong. Although I did wake up twice in the night, I did so in Harley’s arms and was able to easily fall right back asleep.
I don’t feel strange or that familiar tug of uncertainty I usually feel when I wake up fully this morning. Harley is no longer in bed with me, but dread isn’t weighing me down as I make my way to his bathroom.
After taking care of business and brushing my teeth, I rush to the kitchen, hoping I haven’t missed his departure. I freeze on the threshold, finding Landon already in the room with Harley.
I cross my arms quickly over my tank top, pulling a chuckle from Landon. The growl that emits from Harley’s throat shouldn’t have the ability to light me on fire, especially in front of a witness, but that doesn’t stop the thrill of need from washing over me.
“What?” Landon says, a teasing tone to his voice. “I’m not going to try anything with her.”
“You better not,” the man literally growls again, and it’s possessive and marked with jealousy.
I absolutely love it. It doesn’t have the same air of jealousy that he displayed around Landon and Rick at the bar. That night, I felt like a toy. Right now, I feel like he couldn’t imagine me spending time with another man, unlike feeling as if he simply wanted to be first in line before.
It’s claiming and perfect and—
“Maybe some different clothes?” Harley asks, now standing in front of me and completely blocking Landon’s view of my body.
“Don’t change on my account,” Landon teases, just to get another rise out of Harley.
I bite the corner of my mouth to keep from smiling as Harley’s head snaps in Landon’s direction.
“Do you want to die?”
I peek around Harley’s big body to grin at my friend. His comments have answered several questions for me, and I’m grateful to him for it.
“Not until at least summer is over,” Landon answers, winking at me.
“I’m going to go change,” I say.
“Great idea,” Harley says, his eyes finding mine once again. “I’ll straighten this guy out while you’re gone. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable while I’m gone.”
