Page 52 of Dump Tackle My Heart
I don’t panic.
Not really.
But my heart does clench when I glance across the room and see her.
Dani.
In that ridiculous oversized hoodie and thick socks, perched stiffly on her side of the bed that we’d already dragged in front of the fireplace, hiding behind that damn pillow wall again like she’s got something to prove.
And it makes me both madand hard.
Because she’s so damn stubborn. And so damn cute.
I told her I’d give her space.
I meant it.
But she’s shivering now.
Small, uncontrollable tremors that make her teeth click as she hugs her knees tight to her chest, trying to make herself smaller.
“Come here,” I say softly, not bothering to mask the concern in my voice. “You’re shivering.”
“I’m fine,” she lies through her teeth.
“Dani—”
She tugs the hoodie tighter and tries to bury herself deeper into the cushions.
Like that’ll help.
Like stubbornness is warmer than body heat.
The pillow wall mocks me with its smug, fluffy indifference.
And I snap.
“I said come here,” I growl, reaching out and tearing the barrier down, hurling cushions to the floor like Godzilla tearing through the city on one mother of a temper tantrum.
She gasps, startled. But when I touch her, I swear, she sighs.
“Hudson, this isn’t a good idea?—”
“Why not, Dani?” I bite out, dragging her across the mattress—not rough, but sure.
Certain. Into my arms where she belongs.
She fights it, just for a second.
A flutter of resistance, like her heart doesn’t know whether to leap or retreat. But she’s here.
She’s here and trembling against my chest, and I’mdonepretending I don’t feel every goddamn thing for her.
“Because it’s easy? Because it feelsright?” My voice is hoarse, filled with everything I’ve been holding back. “Because the second you let yourselfbreathearound me, you remember how fucking good we are together?”
Her breath stutters, shaky and shallow.
Her fingers fist into the edge of the blanket like it might hold her together.
