Page 27 of Fall With Me
Yelping, I yank my hand away, a new flow of heat rushing into me. Retreat!Retreat!I’m getting myself out of here before I embarrass myself further.
Scrambling like a fuse is about to explode under me, I jump off Dawson, cheeks aflame. “This is not what it looks like. I promise!”
Dawson stands, his eyes roving over me. “Uhhh…”
I cover my face with my hands. “You fell asleep. I tripped on the blanket when leaving and accidentally landed on top of you.” Taking a risk, I peek through my fingers at him. “Again, I’m sorry.”
He blinks a few times, running a hand through his hair.
I’m holding my breath, waiting for him to tell me I assaulted him and he never wants to see me again. Jeez, I’m not even sure I can handle being around him after this.
“Where’s Finn?”
“He went to bed.”
He nods. “You sent my son to bed so you could steal a snuggle?” His brows rise. “Bold move to make on a sleeping person.”
I drop my hands from my face. “That’s NOT what happened!”
He cocks his head, pointedly stares at the couch, then back at me. “Isn’t it?”
“Dawson, no.” He has to believe me. I wouldneverdo something like that. “I promise it was an accident.”
He slowly nods his head, thinking through my response. “Some advice for next time—”
“There won’t be a next time!” I say exasperated. “I didn’t mean to fall on you.” Why won’t he listen to what I’m saying?
His lips twitch, fighting a smile. “Stealth is the way to go, not an ambush.”
I groan. “You think this is funny?” I’m humiliated.
He laughs. “It’s absolutely hilarious. You attacked me in my sleep.” He stands, opening his arms wide. “If you need a hug that bad, bring it in.”
I shake my head.
“Don’t be stubborn.”
“Dawson,” I warn.
“Chloe,” he mocks.
“Fine,” I concede to a crime I didn’t commit. “You caught me. Okay? Happy now?” I step into his waiting arms, wrapping mine around his torso. “This was my evil plan all along. Sneaking a hug from my brother’s employee.”
Dawson’s chest rumbles with a chuckle.
I’m taken aback by the peace flooding my body. Who knew a hug could be so cathartic? So nice? Socomfy?
This feeling is too easy to want and I can’t want it. Can’t have it.
Bringing my head back into focus, I creep my fingers upward until they find his ribs, digging in between the bones, counting them like Carter used to do when we were little and he’d tickle-torture me.
He jerks away from my fingers, but doesn’t let me go. “Put those bad boys away. I’m doing what you wanted.”
Ignoring the warning bells in my head about how this is a bad idea, I concede, and with exaggerated slowness I spread my fingers across his back. Accepting the hug he’s offering, I surrender to his warm embrace. It soothes and heats me at the same time. Like sipping on tea, snuggled in a blanket, while watching a romance movie. It’s a pleasant feeling—one the instant we break apart I know I’ll want again.
Ugh, stupid Dawson and his stupid hug. Why didn’t I run out of his house instead of playing along with him?
“Better now?” Dawson asks.
