AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Like I’d shot him with a dart, he sits straight up and announces, “I’m awake.”
“No, you’re not. Come on. I’m just going to shower then pass out next to you anyway.”
“I missed you today,” he says walking bow-legged behind me holding me around the waist with his chin resting on my shoulder.
“I missed you too.”
He kisses my neck and sneaks a hand under my smock and cami.
“No. No,” I scold him turning out of his hold next to the bed. “You’re already running low on fuel after last night.” And the two nights before. He keeps warning me he’ll wear out and not be able to keep up with me. But he’s insatiable. “You’re knee is never going to heal if you don’t get enough rest. And before you argue, no, it doesn’t count just because I’m on top.”
Daniel pouts as he plunks his butt on the bed. “But I still haven’t paid off my debt.” He grabs my waist and pulls me between his legs.
I don’t want to refuse him but he can’t run on four hours of sleep and caffeine like I can. And I can’t risk him realizing that and taking back my key.
“For now your debt is subject to a mandatory deferment. Sleep.” I push his shoulders and he falls back.
“Fine.”
“Is your alarm set?” I ask turning to the clock on the bedside table.
“Yes, but I can’t sleep in anymore. I’m falling behind on things.”
I push the alarm button to change the alarm. “Seven-thirty isn’t early enough?”
“Should be five.” Daniel spins burying himself under the covers.
“Are you serious? Why so early? Why not just do those things after hours?”
“Sue me. I’m a morning person.”
“Okay. But why?”
“Because…” His body tenses. “I’m too tired at the end of the day.”
Oh. And I’m only making that worse. I need to figure out a way to make it better. But if my boss won’t work with me, what the hell can I do?
I set the alarm. When I lean over to kiss Daniel goodnight, he pulls me into the bed and holds me against his side.
“I’m not going to bed in my whites or, you know, without washing the work stink off.”
Daniel buries his face in my hair. “But I like your work stink.”
I giggle and roll my eyes while also trying to roll out of the bed but he tightens his grip and traps me there.
“Daniel,” I chide.
“Just a little longer.”
“I’ll be right back.”
“But I’ll be asleep.” The tone of his voice breaks my heart. And since this will be the only time we get to be together, because I don’t think I can handle breakfast at five in the morning, I stay. Held against his broad, barrel chest and circled by his thick, muscular arms, I don’t know why I ever fought him. All I want is to be with him. Held by him.
It isn’t long before Daniel’s breathing slows and the snoring starts. At which point, I slide from his arms and head for the shower.
After I finish, I look at the clock and wonder if I can get by, night after night, on only four and half hours of sleep to spend those few in the morning with him before the store opens.
I can hang out in the studio during the day before I have to go to work but I’d only be in the way.
