Page 17 of Incomplete
Chapter9
Lakelyn
Istirred myself awake in a pool of sweat. Nearly every inch of my body was overheating, my skin suffocating, and my legs noticeably slick with moisture from being wrapped tighter than a burrito, entangled amongst the sheet and comforter.
Boden, who was still sleeping on his back soundly beside me, on top of the covers, had his arm draped casually over his eyes. I wasn’t sure when we’d fallen asleep, but we had done so with the television still on.
After some stealthy finessing, I broke free, slipped out from under the covers without disturbing the man sleeping in my bed, and padded to the other side of the room where the remote rested on the nightstand and paused.
While he snored peacefully, I found myself defenseless against the smile that crept up on me as I realized last night was the first time in a while that I’d had a restful night’s sleep—despite being woken every three hours, as per the doctor’s orders. But before I gave the rare moment pointless attention, I shrugged it off with having anything to do with Boden’s presence and more likely to do with the painkillers and my adrenaline crashing.
Once I finished brushing my teeth, I opened the door to find Boden awake. He was sitting on the side of my bed, with his bare feet firmly planted on the floor, forearms resting on his thighs, and his eyes full of concern cast my way.
At that moment, I wanted so desperately not to crumble before him again, but summoning the mental strength I needed felt like a monstrous hurdle I couldn’t surpass if the lump forming in my throat was of any indication. I closed my eyes and blew out a shaky breath to calm myself. When I opened them, Boden had stood from where he’d been sitting but hadn’t bridged the gap, almost as if he were assessing me. It wasn’t until my bottom lip quivered that he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me in a consoling embrace that caused the uncertainty of the storm brewing inside my chest to crest.
The way Boden held me wasn’t out of obligation but felt rather protective with how his arm draped tenderly around my waist, anchoring me to him while his other hand slowly brushed soothing strokes up and down my back. The simplicity of the contact and the silence filled with ease—it was so far removed from anything I’d ever experienced with another man before that I wanted to soak in the awareness. Unfortunately, my stomach picked that inopportune moment to break the spell I found myself wrapped in, prompting Boden to step back.
When his gaze met mine this time, a playful smile lit up his irises.
“What’s the likelihood that you didn’t hear my stomach gurgling like a savage animal that hasn’t eaten in days?”
“Well, last time I had my hearing checked for work, I was told it was exceptional.”
“So selective, right?”
“But, of course, beautiful.” He squeezed my hips before walking back over to my bed, only to surprise me further by making it.
“You really don’t need to do that.”
“Nah, it’ll only take a second.”
Admittedly, I had a love/hate relationship with making my bed. Yes, I always pulled the sheets straight, so they weren’t a crumpled mess, but adding all the decorative pillows sometimes felt unnecessary.
“Can I make something for you for breakfast?” he asked.
“I’ll just grab a protein bar since my fresh groceries were in the truck.”
“Right, well, what do you say we get changed, and I’ll take you out? There’s a diner—”
“No,” I blurted out in a panic. “Sorry, ah . . . I’m not up for going anywhere in public.” I lifted my hand and pointed to my face, using my bruising and cuts as an excuse.
“Understandable. I think I’ve got some stuff in my fridge.”
“Boden, listen, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but you don’t have to take care of me. I’m fine, really.”
He put the last pillow in place and stepped into my personal space. His eyes were soft and pleading, and I was mesmerized by the depth of emotion I felt, drawing me into his world.
“I know you don’t need looking after or someone all up in your space, but I do think you could use a friend in your corner. I said as much the first night we met, and I’d like nothing more than to be that person if you’ll allow me.”
My lips parted with everything I wanted to say on the cusp, but the words were confined in the vault I wasn’t ready to relinquish the key to just yet.
“Why?”
“Why,” he parroted, “would I want to be your friend?”
I nodded solemnly.
Boden reached for my hands, and the moment he held them within his grip, a wave of calm surged over me. While my instincts had led me askew in the past, this—standing there in my home with him felt different. The past twelve hours had been horrifically scary for reasons only I knew. Yet, I was positive I wouldn’t have survived mentally without his unwavering support and refusal to leave my side throughout the ordeal.
