Page 31 of I Knew You
The mattress enveloped me like a cloud. Of course, his mattress was perfect, while my borrowed one across the hall was a torture device.
“Tell me if you’re seriously hurt.” His words were harsh, but his voice was trembling, and I blushed under his concern and attention.
“No, it’s…I was already hurting.” I rubbed my back a little, near the middle part, where the damage was. “And I’m embarrassed. I’d evaporate into thin air if I had the power.”
He chuckled. “I could ask what you were doing, but let me guess, you were going down the stairs, saw my door ajar, and decided you’d go full Peeping Tom like you used to when we were in high school.”
My eyes snapped to his. His amber irises shone with teasing warmth.
“You knew I watched you?” I shrieked and sat up clumsily, ignoring the shooting pains from my sudden movement.
It was true. I’d watched him change more than once when he’d stayed at our house growing up. I was a creeper from way back. I thought I’d been discreet, but obviously not.
His eyes shone bright with mischief. “Oh, I knew. I could see wisps of your hair from around the door.”
I dropped my face into my hands, and my cheeks burned with mortification.
“But you never said anything?” I peeked through my fingers and saw the intense smolder he was giving me.
“Why would I? I liked having the attention of a hot girl on me.” He winked, and I had to pretend he didn’t, lest I giggle like a schoolgirl with a crush.
Which I wasnot.
“Come on, it was years ago. Fun memories,” he said it with ease, trying to absolve my shock.
I dropped my hands in surrender. There was a pause, and his eyebrows furrowed a bit. “Tell me how I can help you, Jules.”
He squatted beside the bed, and I turned to face him. We were only a foot apart from each other. I took a deep breath.
“I really need some of my naproxen and water to take it with. And maybe you can let Lakey sleep with me tonight?”
“Hmmm…” He acted like he was thinking it over, rubbing a hand along his shaped, scruffy jaw. “Well, let me put on some pants, then I’ll get you a drink downstairs, and some naproxen from my bathroom.” He nodded toward the open doorway a few feet away, “And considering Lakey’s already curled up behind you…” Lakey’s warm, furry body was lightly tucked against my back.
“I meant, can she sleep with me in the bed down the hall?” I corrected, even though I would do anything to sleep in this perfect bed with Lakey and Bram.
I shoved the wayward thought aside.
“Lakey likes to sleep in here,” he said.
My heart fell—no Lakey, no bed, no Bram, just me and my humiliation. I swallowed and began to get up, but Bram stood and reached out, grabbing my upper arm to steady me.
“Don’t move! I mean, you stay here. We can switch back rooms tomorrow.”
I tilted my head.
“But, t-this is your room...” My voice cracked with emotion.
Your bed. Your sheets. You are everywhere here, and I can’t stand it.
He smiled broadly. “It’s still my room. It’s not a big deal. Let’s get some sleep.”
“I won’t be here tomorrow night,” I replied matter-of-factly. “So you’ll have your bed back, promise.”
“Mhm. We’ll see.”
Before I could open my mouth to protest, he walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. As if to cement the decision, Lakey spread out her body whole against mine, settling in for her night’s rest.
My back was screaming, my head was pounding, and my shoulder throbbed where it hit the floor when I fell into the room, yet I was comfortable. The sheets felt and looked clean, and knowing they held him at some point was overwhelming.
