Page 60 of Crazy Love

“Do you have a side?” I ask.

“I start out on this one…but I don’t always wake up here,” he admits sheepishly.

I go to the opposite side and pull back the covers. “Ah, so you’re saying you’re a restless sleeper?”

“I don’t really know. I guess you’ll have to tell me. I apologize in advance if I snore. No clue whether I do or not.”

“Same,” I tell him.

He pulls the covers back on his side and looks at me. I’ve climbed in and am trying not to drool as I look up at him. My heart gallops so hard, I’m certain he can probably hear it.

When he slides in beside me, his body warm next to mine, I forget to breathe. We lie there for a few moments, silent.

“Well,” he says, finally breaking the silence. “This has gotta be the strangest night of my life.”

I laugh softly. “One hundred percent. Didn’t see myself getting married so soon. Didn’t expect just pillow talk on my wedding night. But it’s actually pretty nice.”

His husky laugh skitters over my skin and I shiver.

“You cold?”

“No, I’m good. You? Is it hitting you yet that we’ve done this?”

“I think it’s starting to. I’m really grateful, you know? Seeing how happy Sam is…that…it means everything, Addy. Thank you.”

“Him picking out that song.” I giggle. “He told me later that he asked one of his girlfriends at school what the most romantic song is and she said that one.”

He swipes his hand down his face, his laugh shaking the bed. “He’s the best, isn’t he?”

“He really is.”

We talk for a while, just random things, nothing too serious. But there’s something comforting about the way we talk now, so easy, like we’ve always done it. I can’t imagine falling asleep tonight, my mind buzzing with what we’ve done, but before I know it, I’m drifting off, lulled by the sound of his deep voice. And then we’re both quiet, and it’s so peaceful.

For all the warm fuzzies, the lust that takes over my body every time I’m around him, and the way I feel when he looks at me, and how hard he makes my heart pound, the last thought I have before I fall asleep is that maybe Penn and I can do this. Maybe we can be friends and raise this little boy together. Maybe putting Sam first will be the best thing we ever do.

“I’m honored to be part of this,” I whisper.

He reaches out and touches his pinkie to mine, linking them together.

When I wake up, the sunlight is streaming through the blinds, and for a moment, everything is fuzzy. Then I realize whyI’m so hot. Penn’s body is pressed against mine, his chest firm against my back, his arm wrapped around me, hand splayed over my stomach, skin on skin.

I freeze, trying not to move or breathe so I don’t wake him up, but then I feel it—how hard he is. My breath catches in my throat. I resist the strong urge to arch into him, but I can’t deny the heat spreading through me.

Penn stirs, and I feel him tense against me. Then he grumbles softly, his voice thick with sleep. “I’m making this awkward, huh?”

I can’t help it. A little laugh escapes me, too breathy…probably totally confirming how turned on I am. “A little.”

“I will slowly back away,” he says playfully. He backs away slightly and I miss his warmth, but his hand stays in place, and I’m glad for it. Too glad.

I clear my throat, but my voice comes out a little shaky. “I slept better than I have in a long, long time.”

“Honestly, so did I.”

“You sound really surprised.”

“I am,” he says, laughing. “For how much I want you, I can’t believe I ever fell asleep with you in my bed.” His fingers linger and then gradually slide off of me. “I should probably keep my hands to myself.”

I want to say,don’t you dare go anywhere, but instead, I say, “Are you relieved that we slept?”