Page 26 of Legends and Librarians
I awkwardly picked up a book, flipping through the pages without actually reading them. “Oren said we should read to recharge the library’s magic. So I’ll be doing that for a bit.”
I’d never shared a room with somebody long term before, so I wasn’t sure what the protocol was. Did we have to go to sleep at the same time to turn the lights off? Or could I go to sleep while he was still up? Right, like that was a real possibility while he was moving to take his own bath, filling my mind with images of bubbles.
Each one I’d popped had revealed more of his well-toned body. That was some crafty wild magic. I almost wished it wouldhappen again...
I slammed my book shut. No. That was ridiculous. I should just go to sleep. But even after crawling under the blankets, I couldn’t stop picturing him. The sounds of water moving as he bathed filled my mind. He’d be done soon and then I could sleep. Right.
Ugh. This was hopeless. I got up, flinging the closet door open to grab some pillows. I stacked them along the middle of the bed, creating a wonderful pillow wall any fort-builder would be proud of.
There. Now Roan could share the bed with me and not feel awkward about it. And I could sleep in peace without the urge to cuddle up next to him.
Soft laughter drew my attention. “What’s with the pillows?”
“They’re for you. So you don’t have to feel weird about sharing the bed.”
My face felt hot, so I burrowed under the blankets, fully expecting him to take the floor still. I almost jumped when the bed creaked as he sat down.
“Are you sure?” he asked. “I honestly would feel more comfortable here.” Comfortable? So he did want to share the bed? My pulse raced at the thought as he continued talking. “If the creatures come back again, they’ll have to get through me to get to you.”
Oh. So that’s what he meant by more comfortable. He’d be a better guard if he shared the bed with me.
I dug my fingers into the mattress, not sure how to respond. “Let’s get some sleep. We’ve got a lot of work to do tomorrow.”
The bed shifted as he slipped under the blankets, with nothing but my silly pillow wall separating us.
Chapter 10
Roan
This bed was cozier than the ones in the inns I usually stayed at, soft and warm. There wasn’t anyone talking in other rooms or the sounds of a busy dining room downstairs either. It was way better than roughing it outside too.
I shifted, my fingers brushing against Nyssa’s arm resting on my chest. Her body felt nice and warm and her deep, even breathing almost made me doze off again. I hadn’t woken up next to anyone in a while and it reminded me how much I craved it. I started to pull Nyssa closer—
Wait. My eyes snapped open, my heart beating frantically. The pillows she’d built into a nice respectful wall were strewn all over the bed and Nyssa was snuggled up against me likeIwas her pillow.
Her hair had fallen over her face in delicate strands, her eyelids fluttering like she was still deep in a dream. My mouth went dry. She was breathtaking, but this was the exact situation I hadn’t wanted to happen. Getting close to her was just going to make leaving harder.
She nuzzled her head against my shoulder, letting out a soft mmmm noise that made my arms twitch with the desire to pull her even closer. My body seemed to have a will of its own, but it felt so good I almost didn’t want to fight it. We were justcuddling, was that really so bad?
Man, she really destroyed that pillow wall. I smiled, spotting a few of them on the floor. She must be a restless sleeper, tossing and turning, but right now she looked so peaceful I didn’t have the heart to move. She’d been working hard. The least I could do was lie here with her for a bit longer while she slept.
Her fingers curled into my chest like they were digging into the fabric of my heart. My skin tingled everywhere it touched hers. I took a deep breath to relax.
This was exactly why I shouldn’t have shared a bed with her in the first place. She was too comfortable, lulling me into a false sense of security. I should get up now, go get ready for the day while she slept.
“G’morning,” Nyssa mumbled, sleep making her voice raspy.
I froze. What was I supposed to say in this situation? Everything in me wanted to stay in bed with her all day, but I knew I had to move. Had to get away before these feelings started growing.
Flirt. That’s what I’d do. She always snapped back when I did that.
“Good morning, gorgeous,” I said in a low voice.
Her body tensed as her eyes slowly opened. “Why are you...” Her eyes widened and she jerked away from me. “I am so sorry! I didn’t mean to do that.”
“It’s fine, we both needed the sleep.” I forced a grin, already missing the warmth of her next to me. “I’d let you use me as a pillow any day.”
She groaned, putting her head in her hands. “Never again. We’re never talking about this again.”
