Page 21 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

“This is perfect.”

“I think so,” she agreed, turning her head so she could see the movie.

She could see it, but she couldn’t focus on it.She certainly couldn’t claim to be watching it; she was just enjoying the moment.

Trip seemed tense at first, but after a little while, he moved his hand and brushed her hair away from her face.

She looked up at him with a smile, and he smiled right back.

“I was just checking if you were still awake,” he explained.

“I am, for now.But I don’t know how long I’ll last.”She grinned.“I’m comfy, though, so I’m happy to hang out if you want to watch the rest of the movie.”

“Okay.If you fall asleep again, I’ll wake you up when it’s over.How does that sound?”

She nodded happily.“Sounds like a plan to me.”

She turned back to face the TV but closed her eyes when he stroked his hand over her hair.Shivers chased each other down her spine.She wanted to say something, but she didn’t dare.She didn’t know if he was only doing that because he thought she was already asleep.She didn’t want to overthink any of it.She was just going to go with the moment and enjoy it.

It seemed like only moments later when she heard him say, “Shelley, honey…”

“Mm?”

“Do you want to move up to bed?The movie’s over.”

She turned onto her back so she could look up at him.“Damn, that went fast.”

He chuckled.“You’ve been there for an hour.”

“Wow.I had no idea.Yeah.I guess we’d better move up to bed, hadn’t we?”

She sat up, and he got to his feet.He held his hand out and hauled her up to join him.When they were standing toe to toe, she decided to take another risk and held her arms out.

“Hug goodnight?”she asked.

For a second, she felt as though she’d done the wrong thing.She couldn’t read the expression on his face, and he seemed to tense.Before she could step back, his arms closed around her.She melted against his hard chest, wrapping her arms around his waist, and when he pressed a kiss to her forehead, she gave him a squeeze.

Instead of letting her go, he squeezed right back.

They stood there that way for what seemed like minutes, but was probably just a few moments, before he stepped back.

“I’ll get your bag from the kitchen,” he said.

“Thanks.”

She followed him, and when he picked up the small duffel she’d packed as an overnight bag, she reached for it.He held it away from her with a smile.

“I can bring it.I’m guessing you brought pajamas, but I left the ones from last night on the end of the bed if you want those.”

She pressed her lips together, not sure if she should admit just how much she’d enjoyed sleeping in his pajamas.

It was a little thing, and a silly thing at that.She met his gaze and held it.Perhaps he understood—he’d left them out for her.

The way he winked at her made her breath catch.

Did he know what she was thinking?

He offered her his hand and headed for the stairs.