Page 106 of Playing Dirty
But I’m sure I’ll think of something.
Twenty-Seven
Theo
March
Sun streams in through my blinds, pulling me from sleep far sooner than I’d like on a Friday morning. As I stir, I’m aware of something weighing me down, making it so I can’t move more than a few inches without feeling restrained. It’s only when I blink away the haze and look down, spotting a familiar, tattooed arm resting over my waist, that I realize what’s going on.
Madden slept over last night.
The heat of his chest radiates into my back, and I subconsciously sink deeper into his calming embrace. His arm tightens around me while he nuzzles his face against the back of my neck, only to let out a soft, content hum; the sound causing my heart to stumble in my chest.
But then he speaks, and the organ may as well drop straight out of my asshole.
“I think I forgot to set an alarm.”
I instantly bolt upright, grabbing my phone from the nightstand to check the time. Madden shifts into a sitting position behind me to look over my shoulder at the screen, only to press a kiss to the side of my neck. “Relax, it’s only eight. Neither of us have class before ten.”
“Yeah, it’seight.You were supposed to be gone two hours ago.” I’m out of bed a second later, shooting him a glare as I head for my closet. “Why is it that you were up at the crack of dawn in Vermont, but it’s impossible for me to get you out of bed when you stay over?”
“Let’s see. In Vermont, I was terrified that I might wake up and find myself accidentally cuddling you or something. Which we both know would’ve been a huge fucking problem, so I just…didn’t sleep.”
The statement gives me pause, and I do a double take in his direction. “Wait, really?”
He shrugs and nods. “I mean, I slept a little, but it was better than the alternative. And obviously waking up with my hands on you isn’t something I worry about anymore.”
Damn. That’s…really sweet.
Unfortunately, this really isn’t the time for me to unpack my feelings about his admission, not when I need to figure out how the hell I’m getting him out of this house without being spotted.
Of course, it doesn’t help matters that he’s still in my bed, amusement written all over his face while he watches me dress in a panic.
“So help me God, Madden. If you don’t get out of my bed and go home in the next five minutes, you will never see me naked again,” I hiss while shoving my feet through a pair of jeans.
He raises his hands in surrender instantly, though he can’t help himself from laughing as he makes a show of climbing from my bed.
“Happy?”
“Immensely,” I mutter sarcastically.
Two seconds later, I’m fully clothed and heading over to open my window for him, but he grabs me by the wrist before I can even flick the latch.
“It’s broad daylight. Sneaking out the window is only gonna draw more attention.”
Shit, he might have a point.
Glancing at his half-dressed form, I let out an annoyed huff and work through an option for plan B. Which, unfortunately, is hoping and praying like hell that no one is downstairs when I try to sneak him out the front door.
“Fine. Get dressed, and I’ll go check if the coast is clear.”
He shakes his head, another little laugh coming out while he grabs his shirt from the floor. “Go figure. The first time I get to use a door, I’m still sneaking through it like your dirty little secret.”
“Yeah, it’s hilarious,” I mutter, not at all amused.
Stepping out in the hall, I take a quick peek down the stairs to find the living room and kitchen are both empty.
Perfect.
