Page 30 of Close Knit (The Hastings #1)

Chapter 30

Cameron

I gently brush the hair away from Daphne’s face. Lying on the pillowcases of my childhood bedroom, she breathes deeply, nestling her feet between mine and clinging to my forearm. A freckle beneath her right eye catches my attention. The creases on her forehead, the dimples on her cheeks, her thick lashes, and that full lower lip…Perfect.

This is the first night I’ve been able to sleep without the tormented nightmares of the Overton game revisiting me. Sleeping next to someone is new territory for me. It’s not like those nights of rushed undressing and empty promises—nights that ended with me leaving as soon as I got what I wanted.

I’ve always played goalkeeper with my emotions—deflecting and blocking, never letting anything get past. I told myself I didn’t have the time or energy to deal with other people’s feelings, but maybe that’s not true. Maybe it’s the fact that when I finally let my guard down, it only led to betrayal.

“Cameron?” Her soft murmur nuzzles my chest.

“I’m right here, sweet girl.” I press my lips against her temple and pull her closer. “Go back to sleep.” Soon her breath deepens again, and I let my head fall back against the pillow.