Page 82 of To Have and To Hold
“It’s been a long night,” Atticus said when Carson didn’t move. “If this is the only way I’ll get some sleep, then it is what it is.”
Carson didn’t look quite so certain.
“Get in the bed, Carson,” Atticus said firmly when he still didn’t move. “Turn off the light, too.”
Atticus closed his eyes, pretending his body wasn’t firing on all cylinders. He was exhausted, but at the same time, his engine was revving hot. He figured it wouldn’t take long for him to fall asleep once the light was out. A good thing, too, since he was ready for this day to be over.
***
Becs could not believe Evan was asleepin her bed.
She was even more stupefied by the fact she wasalsoin her bed.
With Evan.
Who was sound asleep.
If only she could close her eyes and drift off again. It wasn’t ideal. None of this was, but when she finally managed to get his drunk butt into the bed, he had insisted she stay with him. She had intended to relocate to the living room. The couch was just as comfortable as her bed, and she certainly didn’t mind sleeping there. She did it all the time. When she was lonely, the bedroom was the last place she wanted to be, and sleeping in the living room allowed her to be closer to Carly without interrupting her daughter’s sleep.
But Evan was here.
She recalled the look on his face when she opened the door to find him standing on her front porch. He looked as though he’d spent the night being tortured by evil men. She knew he hadn’t been because he’d whiled away his evening at Moonshiners, getting drunk with everyone there to celebrate with Brantley and Reese. Becs had been invited, but when she learned that the ladies in the office were gathering at JJ’s for a painting party—which she had also been invited to—she had bowed out so she could spend the evening with Carly. Kaye would’ve gladly babysat, but that didn’t seem fair. The woman already watched Carly all week while Becs worked. She deserved not to spend her weekend keeping up with rambunctious nine-year-olds.
If Becs had known Evan would show up, she would’ve gladly spent the evening at JJ’s, helping them paint the babies’ room.
But she couldn’t have predicted this if she’d had a crystal ball.
Ever since the night she and Evan had made out like teenagers in his home office, he’d kept her at a distance. And fine, maybe she’d put some extra inches in there, too, because she knew he wasn’t looking for anything serious. As much as Becs wanted to pretend she could handle a casual relationship, she knew better. She already felt far too much for this man.
Evan moved, shifting closer to her on the bed.
Becs remained perfectly still, hoping he would think she was asleep. The lights were out, so he couldn’t see her face. If she kept her breaths deep and even, he would—
“I know you’re awake,” he mumbled, sliding his arm under her pillow.
She didn’t say a word.
“I can hear your big, beautiful brain working.”
How could he tease her right now? How could he possibly act like this was okay? He’d done everything possible to let her know that what happened between them was a mistake. And it wasn’t the first time he’d done it either. The guy was giving her whiplash with all this back and forth.
So why did you let him in your bed?
That was a damn good question. Evidently, she was a glutton for punishment.
That and she was lonely.
And God, she was. She really was. Yeah, she had Carly, and she loved every minute she spent with her daughter. They laughed and joked, and it was the best feeling in the world. Especially after spending so many years in a tumultuous relationship with Carly’s father. Becs actually liked being single.
But that didn’t stop her from getting lonely from time to time. Which wouldn’t be a problem if she could handle something casual. Having a man to spend time with, talk to, and laugh with would be nice. She did all those things with Evan because their daughters were best friends. But this … this wasn’t something she had ever prepared herself for. She wasn’t sure she could have.
“Would you prefer I go?” Evan asked.
He wasn’t touching her. Not really. His arm was under her head, but he wasn’t trying to seduce her. In fact, he was fully clothed, except for his shoes.
“No,” she said honestly.
“Then come here. Let me hold you.”
