Page 47 of Piece By Piece

I get to my feet and don’t think about it before pulling her into a hug, hoping to cheer her up at least a little. I’ve noted the way she melts into my touch and seems to soak up every embrace she gets. It’s clear physical touch is one of her love languages.

That’s why I hug her... And because I found myself thinking back to how nice it felt to have her in my arms last night several times already today and I’ve been longing to get another taste.

Yeah, this girl I agreed to be friends with, which I’m very attracted to and know feels the same way, is messing with my head. That’s why I hold her for a second longer than I should.

“I moved everything from the cupboards into boxes already. I only have the cutlery left and then the kitchen is done. Do you want to start on the other rooms or would you rather just get your essentials and let me take you home?” I ask. Funnily enough, I don’t even have think twice about calling my place her home. I like the ring of it. It just rolls off my tongue.

“I should start with the other rooms. It’s probably best if I just stay here tonight so I can pack things up until I pass out and then keep going tomorrow before I go to my parents’ place. You should go home, though. You’ve done more than enough.”

“I’ll stay too, if you let me. I don’t mind helping some more,” I insist quickly.

“I don’t have a guest room,” she argues.

“Luckily, I think we proved that we can share a bed just fine last night, no?” Am I inviting myself to sleep in her bed with her? Yeah. I guess I’m that guy now.

Aliena doesn’t protest any further. “Sure, suit yourself. When are the movers coming?”

“Whenever I tell them to.”

That draws the first soft smile from her, and she rolls her eyes at me. “Privileged prick,” she teases. I shove her slightly.

“Careful, this privileged prick knows where you keep your cutlery.”

“You’re threatening me in my own home? Bold, little boy. Real bold,” she says, trying to stare me down with a hand on her hips like a primary teacher orsomething. Never mind that she is way shorter than me, especially without her heels on.

I make a show out of looking down at myself, trying not to laugh out loud. “Little, huh? I don’t think anyone has described me as such in years.”

“Yeah, you’re not that pleasant to talk to. I’m sure there are many things the people around you never dare to describe you as,” she fires back without pause.

“Okay, rude. I am very pleasant.” My classmates would disagree. In fact, her observation is very on point. I’m sure people have said or thought things about me that they’d never dare to say to my face simply because I’m the dean’s son. It’s ridiculous considering my dad wouldn’t care if anyone cussed me out. He’d probably like them more if they did. Invite them for dinner and create a club exclusively to rant about me and all my faults.

“Mhm, sure you are.” As she says it, she gives me those bright eyes of hers, twinkling with amusement. She never lets me forget how gorgeous she is.

“Little troublemaker, I’ve had about enough of your big mouth,” I chastise her playfully. Her eyes light up with the challenge.

“That’s something I haven’t been told before. Usually, men can’t get enough of it,” she tells me, her double meaning clear. I curse myself for not having thought my words through more carefully before speaking since now, my mind is focused on her mouth and her innuendo has bad ideas coming to my mind. Even worse images.

“There’s a first for everything,” I reply lightheartedly in an attempt to steer this conversation back into more innocent waters before we can slip into flirting.

“I guess there is. Now, let’s get back to work. This place might be small but I’m a hoarder.”

Way past midnight, I’ve finally had enough of packing boxes. Here I thought I was in form but no, boxing stuff up is what exhausted me. I head to Aliena’s room, where she’s currently working her way through every nook and cranny.

She doesn’t hear me approach and I take a second to watch the unguarded woman for a second, lingering in the doorway. She looks tired, her back hunched and her steps slow. Still, her heavily-lidded eyes are determined. She’s a fierce one, that’s for sure.

I finally walk up to her and place a gentle hand on her shoulder. Her muscles tense under my touch for only a beat. Then, she turns and looks at me. It’s not the first time I notice how jumpy she is. I should really stop sneaking up on her.

“It’s time for bed, Sweetheart. Come on,” I say softly, the term of endearment falling from my lips like it tends to do whenever she seems so small and tired.

It’s that weird urge to make things better, to take care of her so she never has to worry about a single thing again. It rears its head at the sight of her red-rimmed eyes and takes control of my tongue.

I’m already moving her over to the bed. She doesn’t protest and practically collapses onto the mattress. I shimmy out of my jeans and take off my socks and shirt before asking the girl, “Where’s your pajama?” She’s still wearing her work clothes.

She lazily points to the dresser and I catch sight of a stack of folded clothes on top of it. I get it for her but she just blinks at it and doesn’t move. “Thanks,” she says,melting further into the mattress. She looks like she’s seconds away from passing out.

I shake her softly and tug at her arm. “Come on, baby, you have to change. You’ll be more comfortable.”

She blinks up at me in the most adorable way. “Yeah. Totally,” she agrees right before she shakes her head. “Don’t want to move, though.” Then, her eyes close again. I sigh loud enough for her to react to it.

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