Page 36 of Bliss: Part 1
“I think you’re figuring things out in the most impossible situation imaginable.” I paused, watching her swallow hard. “And I think they make you feel wanted in a way you’ve needed for a long time.”
She nodded once, eyes glassy but she didn’t cry.
“I don’t think you’re doing this because you’re reckless,” I added. “I think you’re doing it because you feel safe with them.”
Her eyes lingered on mine. “But I feel safe with you, too. Why don’t I want to be as close to you as I’ve gotten to them?”
“That’s something you’ll have to figure out yourself, Bliss. I can’t answer that question for you. Just know that I’m here if you ever need me.”
Her eyes lowered, and her fingers now toyed with the edge of the sheet. Then, her brows furrowed. Deeper than before. “Rhys punched Ashby in the face, and Dash in the stomach when he found out. Why didn’t you have the same reaction?”
I laughed and sat up straighter, still leaning against the headboard. “Because I’m not a violent person. You know I’d never hurt a damn fly.”
“Yeah, but…Rhys was angry when Ashby told him. It was like he wanted to get revenge.”
“Yet, he ended up wanting the same shit from you as they did. Hate to tell you this, but our brother is a huge fucking hypocrite.”
A smile tugged at her mouth, but she tried to hide her amusement. I could see her cheeks flush ever so slightly in the dim moonlight shining through the window.
I reached over and placed my hand on her thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze before pulling her closer. Her body was rigid, but she relaxed once her body pressed against mine.
“Just because you’re not sure about me, doesn’t mean we can’t cuddle like we always do.”
“You’re right,” she whispered, letting me hold her in my arms as she buried her face into my chest. “Love you, Tripp.”
“I love you too, Lissy. And don’t ever think you owe me anything. Ever.”
She didn’t respond to that. Just breathed in deeply.
As unbearably warm as it was in my room, I fell asleep surprisingly fast with her in body pressed against mine. The heat suddenly didn’t bother me, and all I cared about was her being happy and at peace with her heart and mind.
***
I woke up alone in the morning. Bliss was gone, and from the lack of warmth on my mattress next to me, I knew she left a while ago. I stretched and ran my hands through my hair, thinking about staying in bed now that I was able to since we closedThe Oldfor the next six weeks. But as good as it sounded to lie here and not do shit, I got up to take a quick shower to get the stickiness of dried sweat off my body.
My hair was damp as I walked out of my room, and I wore only boxers to head downstairs. As I passed Dash’s room, I peeked inside to find Bliss cuddled up against him. I wasn’t surprised, but the sight made my body tense.
But not out of jealousy. Not exactly. It was more complicated than that, I figured. Something tight and sour twisted in my gut, and I moved along before I could read too much into it.
Bliss needed time, and maybe she’d never let me in the way she had with the others. I’d survive that. I had to. But if it already felt this strange just thinking about her holding back from me, I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out how it would feel if she never let me in at all.
I pushed all of those thoughts aside at the sight of Rhys sitting at the kitchen counter, shoving a spoonful of cereal into his mouth.
“Morning,” I muttered.
He looked up. “Morning. Did you sleep?”
“Yeah. You?”
He shrugged. “Took me a while. It’s only getting warmer upstairs.”
I agreed with a nod. “Might need to start sleeping in the basement. Way cooler down there.”
“Yeah. That’s a good idea.” He put another spoonful in his mouth and lowered his gaze to his phone again. “We still going to that party tonight?”
“That’s the plan.” I said, as I walked to the fridge and poured myself some juice, then leaned against the counter. “Bliss is coming too.”
That got his attention. He looked up at me through a narrow squint. “Did she tell you that?”
