Page 76 of The Baby Dragon Cafe
“Are you nervous for tomorrow?” she asked. He got comfortable, putting a hand under his pillow.
“Kind of,” he said. “But Sparky did great today, so I’m sure everything will be fine.”
The room was mostly dark, and in the dark, it was easier to be less stressed about sharing a bed with him. She just focused on the sound of his voice.
“Those trials were insane,” she said.
“They really were. I thought I was gonna pass out.”
“No! You were so composed! While I was being a big baby.”
“Don’t worry, I was being a baby on the inside, too.” His voice softened. “It isn’t always easy for me to show what I’m feeling, but that doesn’t mean I’m not feeling it.”
“I never learned how not to show what I’m feeling,” she admitted.
He smiled. “I know. I like that about you.”
It was nice, chatting. “I feel like I’m having a sleepover with my best friend,” she said. “Not that I have ever had sleepovers with a best friend before. But hypothetically.”
He paused, considering something carefully. “Saphira?”
She held her breath. “Yeah?”
“I think you’re my best friend,” he said, voice quiet. Happiness spread through her.
“You’re my best friend, too,” she said. “It’s strange—we haven’t even known each other for that long, but it feels like I’ve known you forever.”
“I feel the same way,” he told her. “Like there’s no version of me that existed before knowing you.”
As they spoke, they inched closer, until they were both on the edges of their respective pillows. She could feel the warmth of his body just beside hers, and her pulse quickened.
Saphira reached for his hand as he was reaching for hers, and the point of contact sent a zing of pleasure through her.
He brought her hand up, brushing his lips against her palm. She spread her fingers over his cheek, his stubble rough against her skin. The moment was sweet, so sweet.
The intimacy of being in bed together like this felt so real, like they’d done it a million times before, and would do it a million times again.
And then she thought of what else they might do while in bed together, and her heart rate spiked. It would be so easy …
She felt as if they were racing toward something inevitable, and resisting was pointless. She wanted to give in. She wanted it so badly.
But Aiden did not move closer. He held onto her hand as he closed his eyes.
“Goodnight, Saphira,” he said, voice soft and gentle as a caress, and that was okay, too. She was glad just to be here, beside him.
“Goodnight,” she replied.
Chapter 20
Aiden was trying his best to be honorable. It was why, last night, he had used every ounce of his willpower not to take advantage of the situation of them being in the same bed together, despite how badly he had wanted to kiss her, lay her flat on her back, hear her gasp.
It had taken him what felt like ages to get his blood to stop pounding after he had held her in the springs, the sensation of her body pressed against him a torturous memory.
He dreamt of her all night, but there was nothing new about that.
Whatwasnew was waking up with their bodies entwined, as if in their sleep, neither of them had had the good sense to stay away.
He opened his eyes. His arms were around her, their legs tangled. He felt hereverywhere.
