Page 54 of Austin
“Kris?”
“What?”
“Why are you over there?”
He glanced over his shoulder at her, saw that she was propped up on one elbow, staring at him through the semi-darkness. “So I don’t hurt you.” She spoke as if it were patently obvious why she was a good six feet away from where he wanted her to be.
He closed his eyes, drew in a breath. “I think you should come over here and risk hurting me.”
“Austin…”
“It’ll help me sleep.”
She didn’t answer, but a long moment later, he heard her push back the covers and get out of her bed. “I’m keeping my T-shirt and shorts on.”
“Fine.”
“And elevating your foot.”
“I’d appreciate that.” He rolled onto his back.
She retrieved a sofa cushion and pulled back the sheet to gently settle his foot on it. Then she got into bed and settled about two feet away from him. He reached out to pull her closer to him.
“Just don’t jar anything and I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t know how bull riders’ wives handle this,” she murmured as she snuggled closer to him. She curved her hands over his shoulder, one on top of the other, and settled her head on his pillow. Their lower bodies were separated by several inches.
“I guess they adapt to circumstances.”
“Guess so.” Her breath feathered over him as she spoke and even through the pain meds had half-numbed him, it felt good. “I’m afraid to move,” she said.
“I like having you here. It’s our last night… I didn’t want to spend it alone.
