Page 73 of False Start

“You can always flash me back if it’d make you feel better to get even.”

I did a quick check to make sure he had clothes on, then I peered at him over the edge of the covers with my eyes narrowed, earning me a laugh that warmed my insides.

He didn’t pull on more than a pair of briefs, and after putting his phone on the charger and flipping the extra safety lock on the door, he shut off the lights.

And then the bed dipped with his weight, a flash of cold air sweeping over my skin as he pulled back the covers and slid under them.

I couldn’t swallow the lump in my throat, couldn’t hear anything over the sound of my heartbeat in my ears.

But I could feel him.

It didn’t matter that I was hugging the edge of the bed, I could still feel the heat of his body, could smell his body wash and hear the groan he let loose as he settled into the sheets, stretching a bit before he lie still.

The blackout curtains snuffed out the city lights, and even after my eyes adjusted, I could barely see a thing in the dark room.

But I felt every subtle move Kyle made, my ears trained on the sound of each breath.

“You have plenty of room,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. “Scoot over.”

“I’m good.”

There was a soft laugh in the darkness. “Madelyn, you’re about to fall off the fucking bed.”

I swallowed, shimmying a bit until my ass was no longer hanging off the mattress. Even though I only moved a couple inches, I felt even more of his heat, and every nerve in my body buzzed to life.

“I put your water on the nightstand,” he said.

“Thank you.”

The words were a squeak, which made me cringe a bit, but then silence fell over us, Kyle’s breathing evening out a bit.

“Goodnight,” I said.

There was a long pause before he spoke. “Goodnight.”

I didn’t close my eyes, didn’t dare move even a centimeter. I just stared up at the ceiling with my eyes unable to see anything, trying to subtly take deeper inhales without letting Kyle hear how hard it was for me to breathe at the moment.

In for four, out for eight. In for four, out for eight.

I repeated the mantra in my head, feeling my heart settle a bit the longer the silence stretched between us. I thought I heard Kyle’s breathing change, too.

Maybe he really is going to sleep.

I didn’t know if it was relief or disappointment that I felt the longer we laid there without anything happening. Eventually, the cage around my chest loosened, and my breaths started coming easier, more natural.

The memories of the day faded, tucking themselves into files in my brain as my eyelids grew heavier. They fluttered, and then shut, and I rolled onto my left side, away from Kyle, curling into myself a little as one arm slid under my pillow.

I didn’t realize how tired I was until that moment, all the adrenaline from the day slowly leaking out of me with each breath. The hotel bed was so comfortable. I let out a long, contented sigh as I settled in, letting the memory foam take my weight.

I was almost asleep when I felt a subtle movement on the other end of the bed.

I swallowed, body stiffening as I listened to the slight rustle of the sheets.

He’s probably just rolling over, you weirdo. Go to bed.

I was too hyper-focused, and I rolled my eyes at myself, burrowing deeper into the covers.

Until I felt a large, warm hand at the small of my back.