Page 59 of Go Deep (A Bad Boy Sports Romance)

“Sure.” I rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head.

We both dozed off, and when I woke up again, she was still curled up beside me, her chest rising and falling as she slept. It was nice that we didn’t have to rush tonight. I wasn’t in a hurry to see her go, and somewhere in that hint of a thought, this image of losing her created a lump in my throat that wouldn’t subside. I didn’t know what that was, other than a sinking feeling that I needed Cassidy. The realization chilled me to the bone, and all my instincts were telling me to stop right there and put a heap of distance between us.

I think my body froze like a statue, because Cassidy woke up just then. She looked up at my face and ran a hand along my stomach.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I have a lot to do to prepare for SECs,” I stammered. “And the write-up. I should probably get some sleep.” That was so full of shit, even for me.

“I guess I should go, then?”

“Yes.” She stood up and stretched, then found her shoes and bag. I got up and grabbed my car keys.

“I can walk,” she protested.

“No. I’m driving you.” It was the least I could do, getting her home tonight so I could go back to when things were simpler, when I didn’t need anyone but myself.