Page 52 of Nemesis

The second I felt her cuddle against my body, everything in me settled, and calmness washed over me. An effect only one other person ever had on me.

She stiffened for a second at the intrusion but relaxed just as quickly, letting out a content sigh, and fuck if that didn’t sound sweet coming out of her mouth.

Dirty thoughts crept in when her waist pushed back, her ass rubbing against my groin, making my breath hitch.

I’m utterly fucked.

I moved my hand from her waist to her hip, attempting to stop her from moving any farther, but it was like she took that as an invitation and rubbed herself against me even more.

“Olivia,” I groaned under my breath despite knowing she couldn’t hear me.

Holding her this close was making me crave more, but I had to stop myself. Having her this near to me wasn’t supposed to make me feel like this.

I had to focus on protecting her, and I couldn't afford to get distracted, but I couldn't help but think that I hadn’t felt anything like this sinceher.

Since Sofia.

A memory fluttered at the back of my mind, fragments of a similar situation flooding my brain. I didn’t know if I could trust my memories, but the deep familiarity of her body cuddled against mine was spinning all my maybes further into certainties.

Frowning, I decided to test out my theory and gently squeezed her hand three times.

At first, nothing happened, but then I felt her stir.

Two squeezes.

I waited with bated breath. Seconds passed. Nothing.

She hadn't squeezed a third time.

I lay there, with her wrapped in my arms, listening to the sounds of her even breathing, counting every breath she took and the way her chest rose and fell beneath my palms.

Even though I desperately wished I’d been right, it wasn't her. I couldn’t keep doing this to myself, thinking she was who I lost.

My lids fluttered close and I fell asleep too.

But as if willed by my silent plea, I felt abarely there third squeeze right before I stumbled into a deep slumber.

CHAPTER21

SOFIA

Iwoke up to the sound of a faucet running, the rattle of dishes clinging against each other, and the smell of fresh coffee and eggs permeating the air. The early morning sun streamed through the windows, its rays warming my skin. I shivered, my body physically missing another kind of warmth.

I opened my eyes, squinting at the rays now shining right in my eyes. I rolled over onto my back, the images from last night still plaguing my mind, but a soft sigh escaped my lips as I remembered how it ended.

I slowly pushed myself into a sitting position, sending the blanket pooling over my bare thighs. I internally berated myself, forgetting I’d removed pretty much everything besides my oversized shirt last night.

Speaking of last night.

I quietly turned my attention to the small kitchen. My pulse suddenly halted, swelling in my throat as I took in the sight in front of me.

Theo’s broad shoulders stretched the thin fabric of his gray long-sleeved shirt, the sleeves rolled partway up. His forearms were on full display, flexing as he cleaned the dishes of what I assumed he used to make breakfast and the dark pants he had on were hugging his ass deliciously.

It wasn’t the first time I’d seen him like this, but it had been so long ago that I couldn’t help but keep gawking at him. I sat still, taking in the slope of his shoulder, and the curls grazing his neck that were just begging to be gripped.

I didn’t know how long I stayed like that when his voice broke me from my trance.

“You’re up.”