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Back in the bedroom, I cock an eyebrow at him as he slips into the right side of the bed. He shrugs. “I need to sleep on the side nearest the bathroom.”
I chuckle tiredly. “No problem. I’m adaptable.” He buries himself in the down comforter and multitude of blankets, making a little nest. Dropping my boxer briefs to the floor, I slip between the sheets, snuggling up behind him. “I love holding you like this, falling asleep with you pressed against me.”
Jocelin hums happily. “I love that, too. It makes me feel all cozy and safe.”
I reach over him to turn off the bedside lamp, pulling him close as I settle back onto the mattress. “I think it went well tonight. Better than expected.”
He rolls over and settles against my chest. “Yes. I’d say it definitely went better than I feared it would. Thank you for putting up with them. Though I don’t know why you did.”
I want to tell him I did it for him. That I’d do it over and over again because I want him to be happy, and I want him in my life. And they are a part of his life, so that means they’ll be a part of mine. Instead, I take a deep breath and fight against unexpected emotions. “You are very important to me, Joce. I would do anything for you.”
There is no immediate response, and I wonder if I said too much. Maybe I’m going too fast. Then Jocelin’s fingers dig into my beard and cup my jaw. “Gunnar.” There’s a tightness in his voice, and worry constricts my chest. Gentle lips softly caress mine. It’s undemanding and unexpected but absolutely perfect, and the ache in my chest eases.
I cup his cheek, surprised at the wetness under my palm. “Are you okay, baby?”
Jocelin nods against my hand. “Yes. It must be the stress and adrenaline catching up with me. I’m fine.”
I kiss his forehead and tighten my arms around him. “It’s been a rough few days. Close your eyes, and try to sleep. I’ll keep you safe.”
He snuggles against me and sighs. “Night,mon chéri.”
“Night.” I lie there and breathe in Jocelin’s scent, happier than I’ve been in such a long time, and it’s completely because of the sweet, kind man in my arms. I nuzzle into his hair, his soft snores sounding like gentle purrs, and I wonder at what point I lost my heart to him. And isn’t that frightening. That’s a lot of power for one person to have over me. But it’s too late now. I can only hope that he takes care of it, like I want to take care of him. And maybe someday, he’ll gift me with his heart in return. I drift to sleep, wrapped around the man I’ve fallen in love with, and hope I don’t screw this up.
24
Jocelin
Theblaringofanunfamiliar alarm jolts me awake, and I slap my hand to my chest in surprise. Only it’s not my chest I make contact with. It takes a moment for my sleepy brain to realize it’s Gunnar’s arm slung across me and Gunnar’s obnoxious alarm beeping incessantly. I shake him. “Gunnar. Your alarm is going off.”
Grumbles and grunts are his only response. He pulls me closer, tucking me into his body, but he makes no move to turn off the alarm. Now wide awake, I stare at his chest, absolutely stunned by his lack of attention to the alarm. I shake him harder. “Gunnar. Your alarm.” He grunts again and rolls over, slapping at his phone, silencing the noise before rolling back and nuzzling into my neck, seemingly going back to sleep. I shake him again. “Gunnar. Your alarm went off. Don’t you have to get up?”
“No. I hit snooze. Shhhh.” He wraps me in a tangle of arms and legs.
“Saint-ciboire… Gunnar. You need to get up. Your alarm went off.”
Instead, he burrows into my neck. “I’ll get up with the next one.”
“Ostie, you’re a snooze-abuser.” This is not going to work for me at all. “Are you saying you set your alarm with the sole purpose of hitting the snooze button? How many times?”
The reply is muffled by my neck and the pillow. “Once.”
“Really?” Somehow I don’t believe him.
“…ish.”
I bite my lip because he is not amusing and laughter will only encourage him. “Once-ish? Is that even a thing?”
Gunnar sighs and flops onto his back. “Okay. I’m up.” He rubs his eyes with his knuckles and lets his arms drop back onto the bed like this whole thing has exhausted him.
I elbow him gently. “That makes two of us. But only one of us needs to be up.” I take a deep breath and remember that it was my choice to stay here.
He groans and pulls me against him. “Sorry, baby. Tomorrow I’ll get up with the first alarm. Can I have a kiss anyway?”
I wrinkle my nose. “I will kiss your cheek. I’m absolutely certain we both have morning breath, and that’s… well, icky.” With a quick peck to his cheek, I roll out of bed and pad to the bathroom. Grabbing the toothpaste, I squeeze some onto my brush, then recap it and push the remaining toothpaste to the top of the tube.
Gunnar hollers from the bedroom. “So I take it you’re one of those people who wakes up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed from the moment they roll out of bed.”
I brush my teeth, rinse my mouth, clean out the sink, and use the toilet. After washing my hands, I go back into the bedroom and finally answer his question. “I suppose. I’m not exactly a poor sleeper, but I do sleep lightly. And once my brain kicks in, that’s it. I’m up.”
