Page 95 of Heartsmashed
Awake with my stomach aflutter, which had everything to do with the man sleeping beside me.
Beckett was on his stomach, one arm shoved under the pillow, his dark blond hair a mess like he’d tossed and turned all night. Awake, he was so put together and controlled, the man who could apparently fix string lights and charm my parents and make me fall head over heels before I realized what was happening. But fast asleep he was softer somehow, more vulnerable—yet just as beautiful, and I realized I was smiling as I watched him.
The fact that this wasn’t fake anymore should’ve scared me. Well, itdidscare me, but not enough to stop me from staring at him, glad he didn’t realize I was such a creeper.
A creeper with excellent taste, though.
Last night came back to me in pieces when I realized we were both still wearing our clothes. I remembered rocking on the porch swing. Beckett’s arm around me. He’d been a little quiet, but I’d been so damn tired, and he was the one who’d been moving boxes and doing all the physical stuff, so he had to be exhausted. I remembered wanting to stay awake because the day had been so amazing, I hadn’t wanted it to end.
Then…nothing. I didn’t even know how I’d gotten in bed, but I was sure Beckett had everything to do with the fact that I wasn’t still passed out on the swing.
I glanced at the wooden clock hanging over the kitchen sink to check the time and realized it was later than I’d thought. My alarm should’ve already gone off at least twice, but…
Shit, wherewasmy phone?
I rolled to my back, scrubbing a hand over my face. Today was going to be a lot. I had a feeling my parents were already awake, and if I’d thought yesterday was a long day, today would be twice that.
But hopefully in a fun way, since we wouldn’t have to be part of the cleanup crew and could actually enjoy the festivities. And Beckett would be there with me…
I grinned again, glancing over at him before easing out of bed, careful not to wake him. I grabbed some clothes and quickly showered so he wouldn’t wake up to my hot-mess self from last night, because while he looked gorgeous all disheveled, I knew I couldn’t pull that look off.
I’d be getting ready in my tux later with my brothers, so I threw on a pair of jeans and a shirt for now.
“Morning.” The voice that greeted me as I zipped up my toiletry bag was still rough with sleep. I glanced over at Beckett, and he cracked one eye open.
“Good morning.” I rounded the bed to sit beside him, then leaned down to press a kiss to his lips. “Sleep well?”
“Mmm,” was all the answer I got, and I chuckled.
“Yep, I can decipher that. It means, ‘Yes, I did, and also you’re welcome for making sure you got in the bed instead of sleeping outside with the deer.’ Thank you for that, by the way.”
He cracked a smile, still waking up, and put his hand over mine. His thumb brushed along the inside of my wrist.
“Is it late?” he asked.
“No, I’m just supposed to meet my brothers in a bit. Do the whole get-ready-with-the-family thing before the ceremony.”
“Ah, right. Of course.” He sat up on his elbow, shaking the sleep off, and that was when I spotted my phone precariously close to the back edge of the nightstand. I stood up and grabbed it, but the screen was black. I hit the side button, got the flashing dead battery alert, and sighed. “How rude.”
I glanced around for my charger but didn’t see it anywhere.
“Looking for something?”
“Have you seen my charger?”
He shook his head. “No, but you can use mine. It’s in my bag.”
“Aw, look at you being so helpful before you’re vertical.” I leaned down and stole another quick kiss—any more than that and I’d be too tempted to join him in bed, and then that would lead to clothes coming off, and then multiple orgasms, followed by missing the ceremony, and then the inevitable hunting party, when my family would bury us in the lake.
Only a slight exaggeration.
“Thank you,” I said, going off in search of his bag while he pushed off the bed.
“Just gonna grab a quick shower.” He started toward the bathroom but then paused. “You don’t have to go down there soon, right?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll still be here when you get out,” I said cheekily, shooting him a wink.
He nodded once and then gestured toward his bag. “Should be in the front pocket.”
