Page 139 of Control Freak

“You guys stock pretty good coffee too,” I teased. “And Emory makes delicious waffles.”

He scowled at me, but I could see the amusement dancing in his eyes. “Anyone else you want to praise?”

I cast a look toward the foot of the bed, where white ears perked on Holden’s fluffy dog. “Well, Banshee is pretty cute too…”

Holden huffed. “I see how it is.”

I caught his eye and held it. “Of course, none of them would matter if you weren’t here,” I said more seriously. “Because I love you too.”

“Good. It’s settled, then.” He edged closer. “Would it be okay if I tried holding you for a few minutes before we get ready for work?”

My mouth went dry. Holden had stopped bundling up in a sleeping bag, and last night, he hadn’t bothered with the pillow barrier. But this was something more. Something new.

I nodded and rolled onto my side, allowing him to settle behind me. He laid one arm over my waist, the blanket still a barrier between us.

“How’s this?” he asked, breath heating the back of my neck.

“It’s perfect.”

We’d had sex that was far more thrilling, but cuddling in bed felt like the most significant milestone of them all. I closed my eyes, floating on a wave of contentment.

I really was home.

Holden slowly inched closer, bringing more of his body in contact with me, his thighs tucking in under my ass.

Skin-to-skin.

I melted into the bed, reveling in the intimacy.

“We need to get up and go to work soon,” Holden murmured.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Just a few more minutes first…”

I smiled to myself. Holden had pushed so hard to overcome his touch aversion—and while his panic attack and the aftermath proved there would be times he couldn’t handle it—moments like this reassured me he’d have more than enough affection to share with me.

We lingered in bed until Banshee decided she was missing out and squirmed between us, whining for attention.

I laughed as I stroked a hand down her wiggly back. “Aha, I get to make Banshee jealous for a change!”

“What do you mean?” Holden asked as he tugged at her ears and allowed a doggy kiss to his chin. “Were you…jealous of the dog?”

“No,” I lied, cheeks heating. “Well, maybe just a smidge. She always had an invitation to your bed. Got to be close to you when I couldn’t.”

Holden leaned over her to kiss me. “Well, believe me, I like your kisses much better.”

“Good.” We kissed again.

“For one thing, you don’t have doggy breath.”

I giggled. “That’s a relief.”

Banshee got tired of our make-out session and squirmed out from between us. She went to the door and barked sharply.

Holden glanced at the clock and winced. “We’re running late now.”

“Worth it,” I singsonged as I rolled out of my side of the bed.