My lips twitch. “Right.”
“Were you…” He rakes a hand through his hair, licking his lips nervously. “Were you going to use it? Here?”
“Not anymore,” I say with a laugh, gesturing to the bed we have to share.
“Right.” His eyes dart to the bed, and I watch him swallow hard, muttering a curse under his breath before turning around. “It’s fucking hot in here.”
“Really?” My brows furrow. “I’m actually quite cold."
He glances at me and nods. “Must just be me then,” he says with a nervous laugh as he peels off his hoodie.
My eyes follow his movements, a desire stirring within me to see him remove his t-shirt as well. I want to see all of him again. He’s so incredibly handsome. I’ve always found him attractive, but my feelings didn’t evolve into something more until my senior year of high school. Since then, it’s undeniable how deeply he affects me.
“You want to go out tonight?” Chris asks, placing his suitcase under the bed.
I glance out the window, noticing the sky is still pretty light, but I shake my head, kicking off my shoes. “I’m kind of tired,” I tell him, putting my suitcase away. “Can we stay in tonight?”
“Of course.” He flashes me a warm smile. Chris pulls down the covers, and we climb into bed together.
My pulse races as I look up at him. It’s definitely not the first time we’ve slept in the same bed, and it won’t be the last. So why the hell am I freaking out?
My throat moves as I gulp and blink up at him. “Are you sure you don’t want that pillow wall?” I ask him again.
He chuckles, shakes his head and sighs. “God fucking help me, but no, I don’t.”
My heart pounds in my chest. “So I can cuddle you?” I fist the sheets beside me, wanting to nestle into him.
“Yeah, Gabi,” he says, turning on his side to make room for me. “You can always cuddle me.”
I don’t waste any time, scooting closer until he wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. I close my eyes and tuck my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. My stomach somersaults when Chris leans down and presses his lips to my forehead so softly that I nearly melt into him.
I feel so safe with him. I always have. Even when I didn’t feel safe in my own head, he was always there to pull me out of the darkness.
I love you.
My throat tightens as I swallow the words, squeezing my eyes shut, trying to drift off to sleep, never wanting to leave his arms.
“Shit,” I hear him whisper, prompting me to open my eyes and look up at him. “I forgot to put on music.”
I blink. I can’t believe I forgot, too. I can’t remember the last time I’ve fallen asleep without music, or some sort of noise, but I was so caught up in how it felt to be in his arms that I didn’t even think about anything else but him.
“I don’t need it,” I assure him, my fingers resting flat against his chest.
He furrows his brows. “You sure?”
I nod, tightening my hold on him. “I have you.” I let my words hang in the air, knowing he understands. He quiets the noise within me. All I’ve ever needed is him.
His face softens into a smile, and he brushes my hair back, tucking my head against his chest once more. “Go to sleep, pretty girl,” he murmurs. “I’ve got you.”
Chapter 22
You have no control over me
“I’m finally married,” my sister says, beaming with the biggest grin of her life.
I’ve never seen my sister happier. My heart swells with joy seeing her smile like this. I remember when she wouldn’t smile, when she used to hide herself. Just like I used to. “I know,” I reply with a laugh. “I was there.”
“You almost weren’t,” she says with a sigh. “Thank you for not being late.” Her eyes meet mine, and she winks. “Almost.”
