Page 23 of Blurred Love

He twirls the spaghetti on his fork and brings it up toward me. I put a hand up to stop him. “I ate earlier, and I just brushed my teeth.” When I say the words out loud, I realize my blunder. “I mean, I didn’t bring my toothbrush to your house. Shoot, I didn’t use your toothbrush either… I used my finger and your toothpaste. I had morning breath and…” I let my voice trail off, embarrassed.

He brings his hand up and cups my neck. “You sure you’re not hungry?”

I don’t trust myself to answer him without rambling on like an idiot, so I just nod my head.

He finishes his food while I sit awkwardly on his lap. As soon as he’s done, he stands up, putting me in the chair he just vacated.

I watch him move around the kitchen, cleaning the plate and fork. He empties the cup of water, and I just sit and stare at him. It’s not fair that he’s as handsome as he is.

As soon as he’s done, he holds his hand out to me.

I grab it without thinking, and he pulls me to my feet and then walks with me back to the bedroom.

He directs me to the bed and then walks into the bathroom with an “I’ll be right back” thrown to me over his shoulder. I sit awkwardly on the edge of the bed, and when he opens the door, he walks toward me like he’s a man on a mission.

He climbs into the bed and pulls me down with him.

I lie breathing softly next to him. I’m not a good person. He’s recovering from a migraine, and all I can think about is sex. “I should probably go.”

He doesn’t lift his head; he just locks his arm around me and pulls me flush against his body. I can feel his hard manhood pressed against me, but I try to ignore it. “You know, so you can rest.”

He snuggles against me. “I am resting. Thank you for coming over here, Poppy.”

“You’re not upset? I sort of just barged in.”

He chuckles. “Honey, you can barge in here anytime you want to. I’m sorry I canceled on you.”

I let out a sigh. “I wanted to help you, but I almost talked myself out of coming. I was worried I’d get here and you’d be with another woman.”

He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t do that to you. Plus, since I first laid eyes on you, you’re the only woman I want.”

I sigh and let myself lean into him. “You sure you don’t want me to go home? You should be resting.”

He sighs as he strokes his hand up and down my back. “I am resting.”

I lie against him, and even though he is feeling better, I can tell he’s not a hundred percent. Maybe I should leave, but I don’t want to. This may not be what we had planned for tonight, but maybe this is just as good because I feel closer to him now than I did even yesterday.

His breath ruffles my hair. “What are you thinking about?”

I kiss his neck and whisper, “I’m glad I came here.”

He leans back so he can look into my eyes. “I’m glad you did too. Before tonight, I would never have thought of asking you to come and see me like this. I’m not weak?—”

I cut him off. “Weak? Have you looked at yourself? No one could say you’re weak.”

He searches my eyes. “You know what I mean.”

I nod. “I do know what you mean, and no, you’re not weak. I’m glad I came here because I want you to know that you can trust me, Colter.”

Something flashes across his face, but before I can question it, it’s gone. He leans into me and presses his lips to mine. The kiss is everything and all-consuming, but before we go too far, I pull back. “Sleep. Get better, and then we can do that.”

He tightens his arms around me. “Are you going to be here when I wake up?”

I traces circles along his collarbone. “I won’t leave while you’re sleeping.”

He snuggles into me, and it isn’t long before he’s back to sleep. I lie here thinking about everything I’ve learned about Colter and wanting more than ever to be a part of his life. I’ve never felt so welcome, needed, and protected before, and I don’t want to lose it. He wraps his legs and arms around me, and I fall contentedly into sleep.

CHAPTER12

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