Page 172 of Chasing Ruin
Thank fuck I can still have children. Preferably with her.
My train of thought derails immediately when she tries to smack my outstretched arm away. “Jesus Christ,” I grunt. “Charlotte—Charlotte! Baby, it’s me.”
She blinks rapidly, reality snapping into place. Her gaze clears, landing on me—curled up on her bed like I’m bracing for impact. Which, to be fair, I am. Mostly protecting my future children.
“Theo,” she breathes.
I huff out a laugh. “One and only.”
She freezes for a beat, then bursts into laughter. Loud, unfiltered, slightly hysterical.
I wince, still smiling.
“I—” She drags a hand down her face, still laughing. “God, I thought you were an intruder.”
Of course. She’s obviously not used to sharing a bed with someone. The thought, however, spreads like a warm bubble around me.
I raise a brow at her. “Yeah? And your first instinct was attempted murder?”
She squints at me. “You were watching me sleep.”
“That does sound bad when you say it like that.”
“Because itisbad, Stalkerson!”
Coughing to hide my laugh, I shrug, unapologetic. “In my defense, you looked cute. I couldn’t look away if I wanted to.”
She grabs a pillow and hurls it at my face.
I catch it easily—grinning. “Good morning, baby,” I rasp, pulling her back to me.
She rolls her eyes but snuggles up to me, resting her head on my chest. “Good morning.”
Unable to resist, I roll to my side, pulling her impossibly close. My face buried in her neck. God, I can’t get enough of her. I inhale deeply and pull her tighter against me. A needy whimper slips out of my throat, but I don’t give a fuck anymore.
“Aaand now you’re sniffing me,” she says flatly, though her hand settles on my forearm, holding me there. “Aren’t you supposed to—oh, I don’t know—get up and work?”
“Five minutes,” I mumble into her neck, my voice muffled and borderline whiny. “You threw me away in your sleep. I need some Charlotte time.”
“Awww,” she chuckles softly. “Is that manly, biker speak forcuddles?”
There’s a teasing lilt in her voice, gentle and warm, and I’m too far gone to pretend otherwise. As long as none of the brothers see me like this, I’m good.
So I nod. Probably a little too eagerly.
“Is your dressing okay?” she asks, her tone shifting with concern. “I hope I wrapped it tight enough.”
“All good, my love,” I reply without thinking, pressing a soft kiss to her throat.
She shivers, and I still.
Because I don’t know what caused it—the kiss or…my love.
Her swallow is audible, her pulse brushing against my lips.
“I… um…” She hesitates, then clears her throat. “What’s on your agenda today?”
My body locks, stomach dropping like a stone. I know exactly why she’s asking.
