Del: Catch you on the flip side.
The sound of an alarm pops my eyes open. As a soldier, I learned not to react to sounds while sleeping because it could mean you don’t stay awake, if you get my meaning.
Then I notice a weight around my waist, pinning me against something solid. I glance down. Payton’s arm is draped over me, and the wall behind me is his chest. He’s warm and curled against me. During the night, he must have spooned me in his sleep, and I didn’t even wake up.
This man may be the end of my career if this keeps up.
Despite the persistent chiming of his alarm, he’s not moving. The time on the bedside clock says it’s five in the morning.
“Payton?” I whisper his name so as not to startle him awake. When he doesn’t respond, I gently shake his arm.
“Huh?” His head pops up.
“Your alarm went off.”
“Oh, right.” He reaches behind him and taps his phone, but then, instead of getting up, he pulls me against him and snuggles in.
“Payton.”
“Yeah.” His voice vibrates against my shoulder.
“What are you doing?”
“Waking up.”
I shift to my back as I try to pull away, but he tightens his arm around my midsection. Heat swirls there as he lifts his head and connects his sleepy gaze to mine.
It’s just physical attraction. That’s what I keep telling myself, but what about this warm rush of affection that’s making my heart push against my chest like an oversized grapefruit? I want to smooth away the residual worry lines I see on his forehead and tell him everything will be okay. That I’ll make sure of it.
“You’re still wearing my jersey.” His voice is rough with sleep, yet his eyes appear clear as they devour me.
By the time I left the bathroom last night, he was asleep. I didn’t want to wake him by rummaging in my suitcase for my pajamas, so I slept in his jersey.
His gaze lowers to my mouth. As much as I want to give in to this, to feel his lips on mine, to let whatever’s been building between us have its way, I know that’s the worst thing that could happen right now. The last thing Payton needs is more controversy in his life.
I need a plan. And quick!
But it’s oh so tempting. Too tempting…
The whole morning breath thing brings me back to reality. Using a move I learned in training, I flip him onto his back and jump out of the bed.
He stares up at the ceiling. “What just happened?”
“Nothing at all. And that’s how it should be.” I smooth down my hair, then switch on a light, making us both squint.
Payton groans and covers his eyes. “I’m not sure I agree.”
“Too bad, big guy. I don’t make the rules.” But I damn well have to uphold them.
I’m half asleep and probably sound like a woman about to lose her cool. But can you blame me? In bed with a hot hockey player who seems as attracted to me as I am to him? This is so not what I thought this assignment would be. I have to keep my eye on the prize like Payton keeps his on the puck.
A permanent position. That’s my shot at a more normal life that includes friends like Sophie and Mia.
“You have to get back to your room, remember?”
Eyes still scrunched, he pinches the bridge of his nose. “Right.”
While he sits on the edge of the bed putting his shoes on, I slip mine on. He heads for the door like a sleepy toddler. I stay close in case he needs steadying.
