Page 18 of Choosing Skyler

“Your laugh is like music,” he says, gently holding my face between his hands before leaning in and… licking the tip of my nose.

“Ewww,” I squeal again, laughing and wiping the wetness from my nose. “Now, I see why you and Devon are best friends. You’re both ridiculous.”

“Aww, but you love us anyways.” He laughs. “Goodnight, Beautiful.”

When he turns to walk out the door, my heart sinks a little. I know he’s worried about making me uncomfortable but all I can think isI don’t want to be alone anymore.So, I do what he asked earlier. I tell him what I need. I run up and grab him around the waist, halting his exit from my room.

Then, I rest my forehead against his back and whisper. “I need you tostaywith me. I need you tochoose me.”

He spins around so fast I stumble back, but he grabs me around the waist and hauls me into his chest, wrapping me in his arms as he leans down and whispers, “I’m here, Beautiful. I’m not going anywhere.”

Brady

No way in hell am I walking out this door, now. Not when Skyler openly told me that she needs me to stay.

“Shh, I’m right here, Beautiful,” I tell her again.

“I’m sorry…” she starts but I put a finger to her lips, silencing her apology before lifting her face.

“Do noteverapologize for telling me what you need. Youneedme? I’m yours. Youwantme? I’m yours. Ichoose you,” I tell her earnestly.

“But…” She stops at my glare. Then, she takes a fortifying breath and continues anyways. “I won’t make you uncomfortable in your home either, Brady. Am I whatyoureally need? I’m not… I don’t know… I’ve never…” She blows out an exasperated breath before blurting out, “I’m a virgin.”

Oh, this beautiful girl.Mybeautiful girl. I look her in the eyes and tell her, “You areeverythingI never knew I needed. I’m not here for sex. I’m here foryou.When you’re ready for that, we’ll get there. There’s no rush, Beautiful.”

She looks a little shocked. “You don’t seem surprised.”

“I’m not. I kind of figured it out and then I heard you and Devon talking in the hall earlier.” I shrug. “It’s a non-issue for me. I’m here for it when you’re ready, butonlywhen you’re ready. Until then, I’ll hold you every night and try not to scare you off with Godzilla every morning,” I joke trying to lighten the mood. It works. She snorts.

“Okay. I’m going to use the restroom and wash my face. I’ll be right back,” she tells me.

“I’ll see if I can sneak into Devon’s room for some PJs without waking him up.” I chuckle.

She laughs. “Yeah, right. He sleeps like the dead.”

I come back into her room after changing into a tank top and my basketball shorts from earlier. She’s still in the bathroom, but I hear the water running. I’m not sure which side of the bed she prefers. So, I pull the sheets back before sitting at the foot to wait for her. I’m so tired. It’s been a hell of a couple of days, but I wouldn’t change any of it if it meant I got to be with her and to be here with Devon.

She comes back a minute later, wearing a pair of little sleep shorts and a baggy t-shirt. She steps between my knees, pulling at the hem of her shirt. I reach out and still her hands. In this position her round breasts are eye level. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her forward and lay my head on her chest. She sighs and runs her hands through my hair.

“Come on,” she says, pulling slightly. “Up you go. Bedtime.”

“Which side do you sleep on?” I ask, looking up at her.

She giggles. “The middle, duh. I’ve never had to share a bed before. But I’ll make room foryou.” She winks.

With that, I don’t even stand. I just turn around, crawl up the middle of the bed and sprawl out. She giggles again like I hoped she would.I love that sound.I flip over, staying in the middle of the bed and open my arms. She doesn’t even hesitate. She crawls up the bed the same way I did and lays right on top of me with her head on my chest. I wrap my arms around her and breathe in the citrus smell of her hair. I’m asleep before I exhale.

I wake up to an empty bed and bright sunlight shining through the window. I run my hand down my face and reach for my phone. It’s dead.Shit.I look around Skyler’s room and see the alarm clock on her dresser. It’s noon. I get up and head to the bathroom. Just as I’m putting my toothbrush back in the holder there’s a light knock on the door.

“Come in, Beautiful,” I call out.

“How did you know it was me and not Devon?” she asks, opening the door slowly.

“It’s after noon and he’s at work today. Right?” I ask.

“Yeah, and he was more than excited this morning when he realized where you were sleeping. It was all I could do to stop him from going in and pouncing on you. I took the razzing for both of us. You owe me,” she says with a giggle.

“Oh, yeah?” I ask with a smirk. “And what exactly do I owe you?”

---