Page 64 of Mr. Edwards

The sheets are pooled around her tiny waist, and I smile when I see she’s wearing my T-shirt. Her long lashes are resting against her velvety soft cheeks. My eyes flicker to those thirteen freckles that dot her perfect little nose, and her full lips that are slightly parted. I’m tempted to lean down and kiss them. I gently sweep back the few strands of long, blonde hair that have fallen across her face. She’s so dang sweet.

I’m at a loss as to why anyone would want to harm Carlee; I have this deep-seated need inside to shelter her. I’m well aware of the fierce infatuation I seem to have developed, but the depths of possessiveness I feel toward her is alarming. A tight feeling settles in my chest as the truth becomes clear…I’m falling in love with her.

This is a first for me.

The realization hits me full force, sending a shot of terror through me. What if she never reciprocates those feelings?

Again, my feet seem to have a mind of their own as I move around to the other side of the bed, peel back the covers, and climb in behind her. If she’s doing this because she’s scared to take us to the next level, she needn’t be, I’ve got her. I’m pretty sure I’m leaps and fucking bounds ahead, I can only pray one day she eventually catches up.

I scoot toward the middle of the mattress and slide my arm around her waist, gently pulling her body toward mine. Her back’s now flush with my chest. She’s in such a sound sleep, she doesn’t even flinch.

I will my heart rate to slow. I need to just live in the moment and appreciate the here and now. I bury my nose in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent, and a calmness settles over me.

This is how I want to wake up every day for the rest ofmy life, with her in my arms and our bodies meshed together. My eyelids drift close as the exhaustion takes over. This was all I needed… her by my side.

When I wake, I’m going to hook her leg over my hip and slide deep inside her, slow and lazy as my fingertips circle her clit. I want that special kind of sex with Carlee, the one that’s specifically made for early mornings.

I’m jolted from a deep sleep when a sharp elbow comes into contact with my ribs. I groan from the pain, and my eyes spring open when the body beside me starts to thrash around.

“Let me go.” I know it’s Carlee, but her voice sounds different…childlike, almost terrified. “Please, please let me go.”

Instantly, I do what she asks, lifting my arm to release her, and in a flash, she shoots off the bed. She’s lightning quick, but one of her legs is still tangled in the sheets, causing her to fall forward onto the floor with a loud thud. What the fuck?

Whimpering, she rights herself immediately, scurrying toward the door on her hands and knees.

Tossing back the covers, I rush in her direction to make sure she’s okay. Adrenaline is coursing through my veins as I lean forward and encircle my arms around her waist.

The tortured cry that escapes her sounds like a wounded animal. “No, no, no!” she screams.

Seeing her in this state breaks my heart. My lips partin an attempt to pacify her, but before the words are out of my mouth, she’s violently throwing her head back, colliding with my forehead and the bridge of my nose. Her elbow is next, striking me in the side of the head. I swear I’m seeing stars.

“Jesus, fuck, Carlee.” Releasing her, I drop to my knees, placing my hand under my nose to catch the dripping blood.

Her body freezes for a moment before she spins around to face me. I raise my right arm, ready to block her next strike.

“Grayson?” she shrieks.Who in the hell did she think it was?“Oh my God, Grayson.” She leaps toward me with such ferocity, the collision sends me backward onto my ass. Her petite arms wrap around my middle, clinging on for dear life. “I didn’t know it was you.” She buries her face in my chest and starts to sob uncontrollably, causing her entire body to convulse.

“Shit, babe,” I say, sliding my free arm around her and pulling her in tight. “It’s okay.”

“I thought you were him.”

“Him?”

“Bobby.”

“Who the fuck is Bobby?”

She sniffles before answering. “I… never mind, I don’t want to talk about it.”

I sit up straighter. “Who’s Bobby, Carlee?” She may not want to talk about it, but I do. She just whipped my ass; I deserve to know why. And if she tells me there’s someone else, I don’t know what I’ll do.

“He… he’s nobody. Just someone from my past. An old boyfriend of my mom’s.”

For a moment none of this makes sense, and then it dawns on me. The realization of what’s really going onhere sends shock waves through my entire body… like ice running through my veins.

Releasing the pressure on my nose, I wrap my other arm around her. Fuck the blood, she’s more important.

“Did he hurt you?” I already know the answer, but I have to ask.