Page 72 of This Bitter Sweet Temptation
I’m so flipping close to spraying wine all over the fancy carpet.
I just throw back a death stare of my own as Holden Hardass chuckles.
I don’t remember fallingasleep, but when I wake up around midnight with a cotton mouth and achy head, there are memories.
Vague memories of passing out on the sofa in front of a Netflix comedy and strong arms sweeping me up. Holden carrying me to the bedroom.
Me, fighting like a drowsy kitten, slurring my words. “Jusss put me on the floor. I’ll… I’ll manage.”
“Don’t be silly. The bed’s big enough for two,” he’d growled back.
I didn’t have it in me to fight. Just like I couldn’t say no to polishing off that wine bottle, lightweight that I am. I also suck at drinking water when I travel.
Holden’s sleeping next to me now, his breath coming in deep, heavy waves.
The room is dim. I rub my eyes and roll over to check my phone.
Nothing.
No surprise. Fairfax wouldn’t bother in the middle of the night.
I try to ignore the way my gut wrenches, my heart thudding against my ribs.
Holden was right. There might be a million reasons why Fairfax hasn’t called, and they’re not all bad.
Still, I can’t stop my brain from cycling through worst-case scenarios.
There are so many things that could still go wrong. Holden admitted that, too.
Somehow, hearing him agree was comforting.
So was the way he fed me. He looked after me today. He went above and beyond the duties of any basic bodyguard forced on me by Gramps’ will.
Moving slowly, haltingly, I crane my face up to look at him.
Just a small peek.
This bed feels like a sea of cotton, big enough for both of us, but he still takes up a lot of space. He sprawls out like a lionwhen he goes into deep sleep, gracefully asserting his presence, even unconscious.
I smile. Not like I can hold it against him.
Most people look goofy in their sleep. I know I curl up like a little hamster, and sometimes I drool.
Supposedly, I snore.
Not sure I believe that—I don’t want to—and I’m pretty sure someone else would’ve mentioned it by now.
Dad has sleep apnea and I hope it doesn’t run in the family. Won’t that be a fun new addition to my dating life?
Having to worry about strapping a hose to my face whenever I spend a night with guys.
Ugh.
But Holden, he’s different.
He just can’t have any physical flaws. Even when he’s asleep, he looksfire.
Zero softness, yet somehow graceful.
