“Where are you going to sleep?” She frowned, trying to make her brain compute as her breathing turning to a soft pant.
“Beside you.” His deep voice sent shivers of pleasure shooting across her skin.
“I just thought you would be able to relax knowing I was there to keep you safe.” He shrugged.
Just like that her heart melted like a hot caramel at his kind gesture.
“It’s just sleeping, Haley.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little uncomfortable.
He’d probably never had to ask a woman to sleep in his bed before. They were probably all breaking their necks to jump right in.
“I know, Jayden. I trust you.” She touched his arm as she met his intense blue-eyed gaze. A ghost of a smile hovered on his lips and he nodded once.
Walking to the bed, he tugged the covers down and waited for her to crawl in. He started to unbutton his jeans and then froze.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t wear underwear.” A faint blush stole across his cheeks.
“To bed?” Haley swallowed. The thought of Jayden sleeping nude had her blood heating like a hot July summer. What would one night with him, wrapped in his arms, be like?
“Ever.” Jayden grumbled as went to the dresser and pulled out some basketball shorts before heading for the bathroom.
Haley snuggled down into the warm covers. She inhaled deeply, letting Jayden’s masculine scent wash over her.
Minutes later she felt Jayden slide into bed behind her. Unfortunately he made no move toward her but kept to his side of the bed. If she weren’t so tired it would have hurt her feelings. But not tonight. Her disappointment soon gave way to sleep as her eyes drifted shut.
#
Jayden opened his eyes just as the first light of dawn spilled gently through the blinds, casting the room in a soft glow.
He knew the second he opened his eyes what he would find. Haley snuggled against his chest, her body pressed against every angle of his frame and his arms wrapped around her. Her scent drifted up to him and heated his body.
He had waited until she fell asleep before he scooted closer. He didn’t touch her but settled for watching as she finally rested peacefully and without a care in the world. Without worrying if her stalker was right around the corner, waiting for his opportunity to grab her.
Jayden tightened his hold on her, fighting to keep the negative thoughts out of his head of what could happen if the stalker found Haley. He wouldn’t let that happen, not this time.
He was almost asleep when he felt her snuggle against him last night seeking out his warmth. He had been helpless not to touch her. So he pulled her into his arms, settling her against him before going back to sleep himself.
Something had shifted inside him, something changed that made him feel like he wasn’t himself. He felt more peace and more comfort when he was with Haley than he had in a while.
It scared the hell out of him.
They couldn’t go down this road. There was no future for them. She deserved to be with a male who was worthy of her. And that male wasn’t Jayden
But right now, he would hold onto her and pretend.
Right now, he couldn’t let her go. He knew the time was drawing near when he wouldn’t have that choice.
The time would come when she found out about him and she would be the one to walk away.
#
Haley knew it was morning by the light trying to sneak in behind her closed eyes. She didn’t want to move. If she moved, the moment would be gone. She wanted to stay right where she was, snuggled in Jayden’s arms.
When she first realized she had her leg draped over his and was wrapped around him she had almost pulled away, embarrassed at how she had ended up like that during the night.
She knew that if Jayden realized she was awake he would pull away. So she faked it and pretended to be asleep, just to enjoy the feel of his body for a few minutes longer.
His delicious heat sunk into skin, warming her body. Her nipples hardened and she knew he could probably feel them against his bare chest through the thin material of her shirt. Her hand rested low on his steely abs and her fingers itched to trace each deep groove of muscle lower until she was holding him in her hand.
Her stomach tugged with lust at the mental image of Jayden lying naked and letting her explore his body with her hand and her mouth and her tongue.
He moved under her hands as he took a deep breath. She knew he was awake. Still she stayed still, eyes closed, with her dreams clasped in her head.
Maybe if she believed hard enough she’d get her wish. After all, everyone deserved to get at least one wish in their life. God knows all her other wishes had long been forgotten.
Maybe her wishes didn’t come true because she had always hoped someone would grant them to her. Look how that turned out.
No, if she wanted something, she was going to have to reach out and take it herself.