Page 73 of Hold the Line

I knew that because I was the same way. Giving felt good. And if someone turned it down, it stung. I wouldn’t do that to Phoebe. Not ever.

I tore open the package and used my pink toothbrush, grinning the whole time. My girl was cuter than she had any right to be with all her pink, but I didn’t mind being surrounded by it. Not one bit.

After I was done, I strolled out of the bathroom, still grinning. “Thanks for the toothbrush, sugar. Made me feel extra special, you sharing your pink with me.”

“I’m glad you appreciated it. I don’t share with just anyone.” Smiling, she folded over the covers and patted the spot beside her. I stood at the edge of the bed, looking her over. She had on some kind of raspberry-colored silk slip.

“What’re you wearing?”

She looked down. “A nightgown. It’s what I always wear to bed. A lesson my mother imparted on Hannah and me from an early age—silky, pretty nightwear always makes for a better night's sleep.”

I tugged on my cotton T-shirt. “Is that where I went wrong?”

She snorted a little laugh. “Could be. Though I think I like you in your sweats better than I’d like you in my pajamas.”

“I think I agree.” I crawled into bed with her, lay on my side, and hooked my arm around her waist. Her nightgown was smooth as glass beneath my palm. She snuggled in close, slotting her leg between mine and tucking her hands against her chest.

“How are you?” she asked softly.

“A lot better than I would’ve been without you. How about you? How are you?”

Even in the dim lighting, I couldn’t miss the way her cheeks had pinkened. “If I didn’t have to get up in six hours, I would want…well, I’d want to start all over again.”

I raised a brow. “Start all over?”

She nodded and brushed her lips over mine. “I’m already aching to have you inside me again.”

If I hadn’t been hard just from seeing her in her nightgown, that would have done it. As it were, my arm jerked her against me out of pure instinct.

“You are?” I bit out. If I opened my mouth any wider, it would latch onto her and not let go.

“Of course I am.” She wriggled against me, sighing. “We both need to sleep, though…right?”

I chuffed at her indecision. “You’re putting it in my hands?” I dipped my head to kiss the crook of her neck. “It kills me, but I can’t have my girl losing sleep. We’re gonna turn off the lights and get some rest.”

“That’s what weshoulddo.” She hesitated until I gave her a gentle shove. Not that I wanted to but because we both had jobs where we needed to be on our game. “Fine, honey. Let’s go to sleep.”

She rolled away to turn off the lamp on her side of the bed, then returned to me, scooting into the same position. Legs tangled, my arm around her waist, her hands tucked against her chest.

I wasn’t going to fall asleep, but I’d stay until she did.

“I’m glad you’re with me,” she murmured in the dark.

“I am too.” My lips touch her forehead. “Good night.”

“Night, Deacon.”

I’d leave soon, but not yet.

Relaxing with her soft, still body alongside mine, I closed my eyes…

Just for a while.

Chapter Thirty-one

Phoebe

Morningswerealwaysthepits, but this one was a bright, beautiful exception.

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