He finished rinsing my hair and pulled the cloth away. I turned to look at him, not realising how close he was, and met his eyes. His face was smooth, his lips plumper than average, and his creamy skin was flawless.
“Did I call you pretty?” I asked.
“Yes. You were delirious, though. I know you didn’t mean it.”
“I meant it. I just hoped I hadn’t said it out loud.”
“I can’t forget it,” he said.
“Shame.”
Erik gave me a half smile. “I don’t think it’s a shame. Is there anything wrong with you thinking I’m attractive?”
I didn’t have an answer for that, other than I was in love with Declan and had come here this Christmas to tell him that. Finding someone else attractive was inconvenient. I didn’t like to tell him he was inconvenient, though. And I didn’t want to tell him that I was going to confess to Declan, either. Just in case he did it first. If he did, I was sure Declan would kiss him and then I’d have lost them both forever.
No, wait, I meant I’d have lostDeclanforever. I wasn’t here for Erik.
When he helped me out of the bath and wrapped a fresh towel around me, drying me gently, I had to admit he was sweet, though. Annoyingly sweet. I didn’t want my chest to glow warmly like that for Erik.
Chapter 18
Declan
By the time Erik had come out of the bathroom, I was sitting on the couch with my prosthetic on and my jeans back on over my legs. I’d felt so naked when Sonny looked at me, suddenly clear-eyed. It was ironic, I know, thatIwas the one who felt naked when Sonny actuallywasnaked, but it didn’t stop me wanting to cover my imperfections and stop Sonny ever seeing them.
Sonny walked into the bedroom after Erik and came out a few minutes later with what was clearly some of Erik’s clothes on. His usual joggers were about the right size for Sonny around the waist, but they were laughably short on him. The hoodie fit him, though, and he looked adorably snuggly all wrapped up like that.
Sonny came and sat next to me and I felt a flash of gratitude that I’d dressed properly when Sonny’s eyes flickered to my leg.
Erik stayed in the bedroom behind the closed door.
Was he giving me and Sonny some alone time?
My cheeks heated with the memory of our kiss. That had been so hot, the hottest kiss of my life, and I felt so guilty for enjoying it so much. I hadn’t wanted to admit it, not at all, but I’d wanted Erik for months. His body was hard and hot, his voice stern and kind at the same time, and he made me feel… stable.
In a world that was suddenly unbalanced, Erik made me feel as though I were standing on solid ground again.
“Oh, that’s my phone,” said Sonny and reached for it. He tried it a few times but it didn’t turn on. The adorable little frown he got when he was confused creased his forehead.
I offered a suggestion. “Is it out of battery?”
“Oh, maybe. How long has it been?”
“Only a day.”
He looked round, taking in the glittering Christmas tree and the fireplace and the snow that was still falling outside, barely visible in the dusk.
“It felt like a very long day.”
I could only agree. It had been the longest, worst day.
Except for the part where Erik was on my lap, his lithe body grinding down on me and his lips fused to mine.
I shifted uncomfortably.
Sonny was fiddling with his phone, turning it over and over in his hands. He was building up to something, and I was afraid to find out what.
Suddenly he said, “Were you with me? While I was asleep? I was dreaming—”
