Page 73 of You and Me, For Real
As I begin walking, she moans and wraps an arm around my neck, her other hand resting on my chest. The intimate contact has my heart thumping, its beat thundering in my ears.
Thankfully, the door to the guest room stands open. I slip in sideways through the doorway. The front flowerbed spotlights shine through the window, providing enough light to navigate the darkness. I gently place her onto the bed. She immediately curls into a tight ball on her side. Teddy hops onto the bed and lays right next to her. Her arm instinctually reaches around him. The two make quite a pair. Though, she looks so fragile in this moment.
I’m curious how her relationship with her mom became dire enough that she ran away. I’ll be patient, though. She’ll tell me when she’s ready. But I do wonder, if she isn’t close to any of her family, who does she have to rely on?
Well, she now has me for however long she wants. In whatever capacity she needs. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of and valued for who she is.
Ashton’s curled form tightens around Teddy.
Idiot.She’s probably cold. I stupidly laid her on top of the comforter.
I slip off the blanket at the foot of the bed and pull it over her, tucking it under her chin. She burrows her nose underneath it.
While I enjoy admiring her, I don’t want to be standing here like a creeper, so I tiptoe back toward the door. As I’m aboutto exit, she murmurs something in her sleep. Unsure if she’s dreaming or talking to me, I halt, listening for more.
She mumbles again.
I straighten sure I heard her wrong, thinking she must be dreaming.
But she slurs the word again, “Stay.” And adds, “Here. With me.”
I stand frozen, debating. This hasterrible ideawritten all over it, but she’s half asleep. How can I deny such an innocent request? I’ll stay just for a few minutes until I’m sure she’s fallen asleep, then I’ll slip out, back into my bed. It’ll appease her request and my conscience.
I ease onto the bed, trying not to disturb her too much, but my weight shifts the mattress. She stirs but remains asleep. I lie on my back, staring at the ceiling, concentrating on how the light plays on its surface. I don’t dare move a muscle, despite every instinct in my body craving to cuddle next to her—to curl around her, to embrace her, to protect her, to take away all the negativity she’s experienced in life and give her something good. Something honest. Except for one problem…
I’m not good. Or honest. At least, not completely.
Because I have Scarlet.
20
ASHTON
Soft light filters through the window. My eyes slowly open, and I take in my surroundings—grey walls, empty with the exception of an ocean painting and a mirror on the side wall. Teddy softly breathes against my stomach, and my body is encased in a navy blanket. My sluggish brain remembers I’m in Griffin’s house. This must be the guest room.
How did I get in here? I shift to lie on my back. A weight moves across my stomach. A distinctly masculine hand is resting on top of the blanket. I follow the trail up the arm to Griffin’s dozing form beside me.
I’m in bed with Griffin Ford.
Griffin Ford is snuggled next to me.
My brain scrambles to latch on to facts. We watched a movie last night. I must have fallen asleep. Griffin must have carried me here. I let out a slow, deliberate breath, trying to regulate my breathing and rising panic.
I’m the other woman!
That’s not me. That’s not who I am.
What am I supposed to do? It’s not like I can bolt from the room. The ache in my ankle still pulsates. Can I slink out? Is that any better?
Griffin shifts beside me.
I stiffen.
Do I pretend to be asleep?
He groans and his hand flexes across my stomach. His nose nuzzles into my hair, and he inhales.
Good gracious.
