Page 74 of On the Chase

It was one thing to be confident and sassy when Hugh was staring at her with hungry eyes, but her confidence faded a little as she lay in his bed, alone. The silence of the room made her thoughts too loud. After everything they’d been through, her worries seemed silly, but she couldn’t shut them off. Would things be different between them now? Would they be stiff and awkward with each other? With a groan, she flopped onto her back and covered her eyes.Shut it, brain.

Hugh walked in, and she quickly yanked her hands from her face and pretended that she hadn’t been freaking out. “Hey.”

“Well,hellothere,” he said in such an over-the-top smarmy voice that she immediately relaxed.

Crawling into bed, he scooted over until he was right next to her. After wiggling his arm under her head, he draped his casted arm over her waist. “That okay?” he asked.

“Sure.” The fiberglass cast was lightweight and smooth, so it didn’t bother her. “Why am I not shocked that you’re a snuggle bunny?”

“Why would you say that?” he asked, pulling her closer and tucking his face into her neck.

She chuckled softly and reached up to give his head a pat. “Good night, Hugh.”

“’Night, Gracie.”

As she was dozing off, Hugh asked quietly, “You worried about tomorrow?”

Grace started slightly. With everything that had just happened between her and Hugh, she’d actually forgotten about the meeting with Noah. “Not until you said that.” She struggled to keep a teasing tone. “But thanks for reminding me.”

“It’ll be fine.” He sounded like he was reassuring himself, rather than Grace.

“I know.” Even she could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

“It’ll go well.” When she didn’t respond, he asked, “Know how I know?”

“How?”

“Because you’ll be amazing. Know how I know?”

Her smile grew more genuine. “How?”

He kissed her neck, making her shiver as warmth spread from the spot. “Because you’re always amazing. It’s impossible for you to be anything else.”

She ran her nails lightly over his head, and delighted in the fact that she could make him shiver, as well. “Thanks, Hugh.”

“Also, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Sleep was creeping up on her again, and her eyelids slid shut. “I know.” This time, she actually meant it.

She was almost asleep again when he said, “Grace?”

“If you woke me up to tell me ‘good night’ again, I’m going to punch you in the junk, John Boy.”

His husky laugh was warm against her neck. “Sorry. I’ll let you sleep.”

“Okay.”

“Just one question.”

“Junk. Punch.”

“Please?”

“One question, and then I can sleep?”

“I promise.”

She huffed out an exasperated breath. Now that she was curious, she wouldn’t be able to sleep without knowing what his question was anyway. “Fine. What?”