Page 74 of You and Me, For Real
This cannot get any more awkward.
But then why, oh why, does this feel so nice? To be held, to be cherished.
Did I ask him to stay? I must have. Griffin doesn’t seem like the type of man to join a woman in bed unless he’s invited. And I’m sure he’s received plenty of such invitations.
My cheeks heat as the memory resurfaces.
Ididask Griffin Ford into my bed. What an idiot!
Teddy lies on my opposite side. I’m sandwiched in.
My breathing quickens, panic gripping me. What does he think of me now? Did I say anything else in my sleep?
“Morning.” Griffin’s low voice rumbles in my ear, sending vibrations down my entire body.
I don’t have to turn toward him to see the smile I hear in his voice.
I pray he isn’t smiling to mock me for summoning him into bed. I want to smother my face in this blanket and hide for all eternity.
But then my stomach clenches, recalling one key element about last night’s conversation.
He askedmeto stay. As in, stay here for multiple days. For as long as I needed.
There’s no way I can. Especially not if my sleep-hazed self continues to invite him into my bed!
How am I supposed to continue evenseeinghim—let alone talk to him—as ifthishadn’t happened? So much for professional client relationship boundaries.
I try to keep my voice calm and even—totally casual. I am the picture of cool. It is absolutely no big deal that I have a man in bed with me.
“Morning,” my voice squeaks.
Nailed it.
“Sleep okay?” His voice is extra gravelly, adding additional sexiness to his voice—if that’s even possible.
As far as I know, I slept like a rock. Come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time I slept so well. “Good. You?” As if it’s completely normal to ask him how well he slept… in bed…with me.
He turns his head toward me. “Great, actually.”
His hair is adorably mussed. His heavy-lidded smile loosens something coiled within me.
He looks down and slowly removes his hand from my stomach. “Sorry about that.”
I’m both relieved and sad at its absence. I clear my throat. “It’s fine.”
He stretches his arms overhead and groans.
I pull myself into a sitting position. “I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to…well, fall asleep.”
He laughs. “You did warn me.”
I smile, a small measure of tension easing from my shoulders. “True, but I’m sorry you had to carry me in here.”
“It’s no big deal. I didn’t want you getting a crick in your neck. You already have one injury; you don’t need another.”
I move the blanket off my legs and rotate my ankle. It aches, but the swelling’s lessened. A bruise has formed. I’ll have to wear an ACE bandage, but I’m fairly confident I can manage without crutches.
He rolls off the bed and stands.
