Page 22 of No Small Sin

It wasmybed.

I would be gone the next morning before she’d ever realized I’d been there.

I eased myself down next to her, shuffling under the thick comforter, careful not to startle her.

Being next to her relieved the tightness in my muscles a fraction.

I breathed in her vanilla scent, a long intake of breath that made my lungs ache. I felt this chemical attraction to her – some force begging me to lean into her, to pull her into me. To find a way to bind our bodies into one.

I shoved those urges someplace I hoped they’d fade away and be forgotten.

Her hand twitched toward mine and I wondered if she’d felt this pull too, even in her sleep.

That was my last thought once my head hit the pillow, before I drifted off, more quickly and easily than I could recall experiencing anytime in recent memory.

* * *

TK

I felt the moment Beck entered the room. I’ve always been such a light sleeper. Even the most gentle shift in the atmosphere of a room can wake me.

But Beck didn’t know that.

So I’d feigned sleep, curious what he’d do. I’ll admit that I was shocked when he climbed into bed with me. That shock quickly faded into a simmering warmth low in my abdomen.

It took everything in me to bite back the smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth. I’d hoped he didn’t notice.

I was a little disappointed when he kept to his own side of the bed.Such a gentleman.He fell asleep much quicker than I’d anticipated. So quickly that I was actually kind of jealous of his capability to shut his mind off like that. So little effort.

Such a man thing. Why were they all able to do that? No thoughts, empty head. While I and women all over the world had to lie there and overthink for ourselves and everyone else for a few hours before we could finally nod off.Rude.

Once his breathing had remained at a heavy, steady cadence for several long minutes, I scooted a bit closer. He shifted onto his side facing me and I paused my movement. Thankfully, I hadn’t woken him.

Instead, he’d just given me exactly what I’d wanted.

A golden opportunity to make myself his little spoon.

I turned to face the opposite wall and shimmied into him until my back was flush with his front. I held my breath, hoping that he wouldn’t wake at the physical contact.

It seemed that Beck was no light sleeper, so I settled in a bit. Being this close to him felt like a homecoming.

I was in limbo, somewhere between awake and asleep when I felt him stiffen behind me.

I lay painfully still, my body aching with the need for him to be okay with this and my heart somewhere in my throat. I felt the warmth of his presence, a mix of dread and anticipation hanging in the air. I was terrified he’d woken up and was seconds away from rejecting this scenario between us.

I glanced tentatively up at him. His eyes were closed and his breathing steady, his body seemingly peaceful now.

And then I felt the warmth of his hands on my body.

His long fingers tentatively explored my curves. Heat radiated through my skin like a ripple of electricity. His hands were big and strong, moving gracefully and elegantly, leaving me breathless.

I wanted to feel his skin on mine.

I wanted his hands to learn me in every way.

His fingers gently traced my neck, moving down my shoulders, sending a shiver down my spine.

He gripped my chin with his thumb and forefinger, lightly turning my face to his. Our eyes locked, the most intense moment of my life.