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When I’m close enough to touch her, she meets my eyes. “I had a nightmare.”
“I’m sorry,” I say as she falls into my arms.
At first, I hesitate, but I quickly cave, wrapping her into me, feeling the warmth of her thin frame against me. I think I hear her crying as I hold her.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.” Her voice cracks, and we stand like this for a moment too long. “I’m tired,” she mutters.
My mouth parts. I don’t let anyone sleep in my bed, but seeing her like this stirs something inside of me and I think back to the plane, when she had me. We both try to speak, but neither of us gets any words out.
“What were you going to say?” I place my finger under her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Do you want to stay with me?”
A small smile meets her lips. “Is that allowed?”
“Not usually, but I’ll make an exception this once.” I can’t return her to her room when she’s visibly upset. I only want to comfort her and tell her that whatever it was, it wasn’t real, that it will be okay.
“Thank you. I’m sor?—”
“No. Don’t apologize.” I place my hands on her shoulders and shake my head. “I’ve got you, Lexi. The same way you had me.”
She nods.
I wipe a tear from her cheek and it breaks my fucking heart. “You’re too pretty to cry.”
She shuts her eyes tight and sucks in a deep breath. “Sometimes … I have these nightmares about my dad. And …”
“Hey,” I softly whisper, wiping more tears. “Tell me later. Okay? We don’t have to talk about this right now. You’re exhausted, Lexi. Let’s get some sleep. Okay?”
She smiles, almost grateful. “Okay.”
I lead her to the bed and pull down the sheets and blankets. She slides in and I move the covers over her, tucking her in.
“Now, you’re a human burrito,” I say, and she grins.
I love to see it.
Brown hair splays around her head as she blinks up at me with bright green eyes. “Do you always sleep in clothes?”
“Sometimes I choose to be naked.”
She gulps and closes her eyes tight. It’s the only time she’s not eye-fucking me, and I know why. My little naughty girl.
I walk to my side of the bed, climb under the sheets, and realize she’s in the middle of the king-size mattress. “Will you be moving to your side of the bed?”
“I like the center,” she whispers, pulling the covers farther.
I shake my head, reaching over and turning off the lamp. Then, I stay on my side, making sure there is space between us so I’m not tempted. Lexi rolls in the opposite direction, and our backs face one another.
The storm continues, the rain pounding harder, and the lightning flickers outside. Ten minutes pass, and I’m staring at the raindrops falling down the windows, replaying it all.
“Easton?” she whispers into the quiet, startling me from my thoughts. I assumed she was asleep.
“Hmm?”
“I’m really glad we met.”
“Me too.” I chuckle. “Good night, Lexi.”