“I’m going to bed.” She yawns, shivering again as she stumbles to her feet. “Will you come with me?”
I’m not entirely sure what she’s suggesting, but I’m really not that kind of man. As amazing as it would be—
“Body heat is better than any quilts or duvets, and I trust you.” She shrugs, and I chastise myself for my dirty thoughts.
She’s tired, drunk, and emotional. She just wants to feel warm, and I guess not just on the outside.
“Are you sure?” I ask as she nods sleepily, her hand extended to mine.
“Yes, plus you have all the blankets.”
I laugh, placing our empty glasses on the floor beside me. I scoop up the blankets, and follow her towards the stairs, wondering yet again why my central heating is so shit.
Meredith falls into the bed, snuggling deep under the covers whilst I arrange the blankets on the bed. She sighs with content, but she’s still shivering. I climb into bed beside her, not really knowing how to be. But she lifts my arm, snuggling against my chest as she clings to me for warmth.
Instantly I relax, my fingers stroking her hair as our bodies acclimatise to each other, the combined warmth finally soothing us. My eyelids close, and Meredith sighs against me, and for one brief moment, everything feels right in the world.
“Thank you,” she mumbles, her voice muffled.
“What for?” I ask as she yawns.
“Everything.”
I still, not wanting to say anything that could possibly ruin how I feel at this moment. You know the feeling when you’re truly happy, where your insides feel like they’re pickled in happiness and light? Almost like how Christmas morning feels after you’ve just woken up as a kid, the anticipation and excitement making your cheeks ache and your soul sing?
That. That’s what I feel like.
“You’re welcome,” I murmur, but all I hear is a soft giggle, but it’s so faint I almost miss it.
“Go me,” she whispers, her breathing deepening. “Finally in bed with Dylan Charmer.”
I’m grinning then, and before I can say anything else, soft snores greet me from the woman in my arms. Our bodies thrum with heat, and it doesn’t matter how cold it is outside.
We’re just right.