Page 48 of Bewitched By the Siren
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts, and I can’t repress the smile that tugs at my lips. There’s only one person who it could be. My blood hums in my veins at the thought of her in my bed again.
But when I pull open the door, my bubble of anticipation pops. Hali’s smile is shaky, her body language hunched and defensive.
“What’s wrong?” I ask immediately, stepping aside and waving her in.
“Nothing’s happened,” she says quickly, and when I close the door and open my arms to her, she steps into my embrace and hugs me back. “I just didn’t…want to be alone tonight.”
“Come on,” I say, pulling her into the living room. “We can watch a movie if you want.”
“That sounds nice,” she murmurs as I pull her down onto the couch next to me.
I hand her the remote so she can pick a movie to stream, and as she shuffles through the choices, I pull a blanket off the back of the couch and cover us with it. I curl my arm around her shoulder and she leans into me, snuggling close as she starts a popular romantic comedy that came out a few years ago.
“I’m sorry. I know I’m overreacting, but that guy on the beach really got to me. I kept imagining people peeping through my windows, and I couldn’t relax.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m glad you came,” I say quietly. “Did you get your mom to bed okay? I should’ve stayed to help you.”
I feel her head shake against my shoulder. “I’ve been putting her to bed long before you got here. I’m good at it. But…whydidyou leave so fast? It seemed like you had something on your mind.”
“I needed to call my boss. I wanted to make sure he didn’t send someone else because I’m failing the assignment,” I say.
She lifts her head to meet my eyes. “And did he?”
“No,” I say with a shake of my head. “My best guess is that the paparazzi got wind of us going to Natasha’s and got curious as to who we are. Whoyouare.”
She looks at me for a few more beats before nodding and laying her head back against my shoulder, saying, “That makes sense.”
We fall silent after that, watching the movie and enjoying just being together. A sense of comfort washes over me, and visions of Hali and I doing this very thing again and again flashesthrough my mind. My mouth curls upward, and I tighten my arm around her a bit.
Hali’s weight against me grows heavier, and when I look down at her, her eyes are closed. I press a light kiss against her hair and watch the movie for a while longer, giving her a chance to fall deeper into sleep before I shut off the T.V. Moving carefully, I climb to my feet while pulling her up into my arms. I carry her to my bedroom and tuck her into bed before climbing in on the other side.
I watch her sleep for a while––in a totally non-creepy way––and fuck, she’s beautiful. Full of life and light, even at rest. Compassionate and generous. God, I like her so much.
But she doesn’t want the fame and fortune my agency could offer her, so why am I still here, trying to force her to reconsider? It doesn’t feel right, yet the thought of leaving makes pain bloom in my chest.
Anyone else, and I’d just use my powers of persuasion to convince them. I’d make the deal happen, just like Julius wants. But knowing Hali and her situation, the thought of doing something like that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I can encourage her, sure, but using the negotiation tactics I’ve honed during my career against her? I just can’t.
And lying here next to her, watching her sleep, the odds of me actually betraying her by getting the recording Julius has demanded are dropping by the second. There’s no way in hell I can do that to her. If I can’t get her permission, well, it is what it is.
How will Julius react to that? Will I be fired?
Will it be worth it?
Hali rolls toward me in her sleep, resting her head on my chest with a content sigh. I wrap an arm around her, holding her close, and my worries drift away.
Everything about this moment feels right.Halifeels right.
And I don’t think I’ve ever felt this content. Happy.
I’ve never felt so at peace. I don’t know what I’m going to do when it’s time to leave. But I don’t have a choice, do I?
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Hali
My first thoughtas I wake is about how toasty-warm I am. Then I realize Brendan is curled around me, his arm draped over my side and his fingers circled around my wrist like even in sleep, he doesn’t want to let go. Alarms go off in my head at the thought, but I silence them and let myself enjoy this while it lasts.
I can tell I’m still fully clothed, and the last thing I remember is watching television with Brendan on the couch in the living room. He must’ve carried me in here and put me to bed after I fell asleep. Knowing he took care of me makes me feel…content.
