Page 110 of Hold Me Instead
Zachary shifted in his seat. “Wanna get out of here?”
Her smile was coy, and she trailed a finger down his arm. “Come over?”
He pressed his lips to her temple and murmured, “Right behind you.”
Chapter 31
Charlie
SunlightseepedinaroundCharlie’s bedroom window shade, the white sheer curtains softening the glow. Last night, she and Zachary hadn’t quite made it to her bed—in fact, they’d only made it to her floor. She rolled over, grateful they had spilled their boneless bodies into bed to sleep, at least. Zachary was sprawled on his stomach, face nearly consumed by the berry-and-white-striped pillow, hair askew. She scanned the contours of his arms, bent underneath the pillow, the muscles in his back exposed by the soft sheet that went up to his waist. He lookedrightin her bed, especially in the morning light. A shift near his feet caught her eye, and she found Toothless changing positions on the navy down comforter, curled between his legs. A small sleep-bark sounded, and both Charlie and Toothless popped up their heads, glancing over to see Maple asleep on her orthopedic bed, chasing squirrels in her dreams.
Charlie chuckled and flopped back on her pillow.
“What’s so funny?” Zachary’s muffled words emerged without opening his eyes.
Just absorbing how much I love this.
“Them,” she said instead. “Toothless is sleeping on you, and Maple had no problem staying here overnight.”
He opened one eye. “Maple can sleep anywhere.”
“It’s nice.” Her fingertips skated along his face, then coasted through his hair. She reveled in hishumin reply. “How about you? You also had no problem sleeping here.”
He chuckled. “And I’m very picky about where I sleep.”
“This was night two for you.”
She rolled onto her side, wearing his white T-shirt, tucking the sheet right below her breasts. He followed her movements, heat zipping along every area he scanned, and her nipples tightened in response. He bit his lip.
“I…yes. It was the second night. Sleeping. Here.” He blinked rapidly, seeming to clear his eyes. “How do you feel about that?”
She leaned close and kissed his cheek. “I’m looking forward to night three.”
“Mmm.” He flopped out a hand toward Charlie, his fingers landing on hers unceremoniously.
She laughed, and he groaned.
“My hand’s asleep,” he moaned. “I was trying to do…this…” He shoved his fingers between hers.
Her laugh softened, and she kissed his fingers.
He grunted, a smile tugging as he buried part of his face into the pillow again. Sleepy Zachary was terribly adorable.
“I have to step out of the office tomorrow afternoon, by the way. Had to schedule PT at a different time this week.” She’d increased appointments to get her mind ready.
“Oh, okay.” He was quiet a moment before he asked, “What will that be like?”
“She’ll check on how things are going. How much pain I’m experiencing. How my tissues feel. How well my dilator work has been going. Which, you’ve been providing me another exercise.” She wiggled her brows, and he smiled.
“How often do you use your dilators?”
“I try to at least every other day. In the beginning especially, it was hard. I had to get past some of my more depressed stages. Thankfully, my doctors understand that there are multiple areas that need focus—not just the physical, not just the mental. All of it.”
“I’m glad you found them,” he said quietly.
“God, me too.” She turned onto her back, stared at the ceiling. “I’m so grateful for them, and so extremely frustrated for women that don’t have access to the same kind of care.”
He traced his fingers up and down her arm soothingly. “If there’s anything I can do, you know, let me know.”
