Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
"Ready to turn in, sweetheart?" James asked, his voice carrying just enough for others to hear. “We should get you to bed before you get too tired. You know how you snore when you stay up too late.”
What?
I forced a smile, wincing at the amused and confused expressions of the others watching me. “Yep,” I managed in a small voice. “Wouldn’t want to snore tonight! We should get going.”
James wore a shit-eating smile as we walked out of view. As soon as we were alone, I punched him hard on the arm. “What was that for?” I demanded. “And is that even a thing? Snoring because you’re tired?”
“No idea,” he said. “But it was funny. And it’s the kind of weird detail real couples know about each other. I’m just trying to make sure nobody has any reason to doubt how deeply in love we are.”
I thought about arguing more, but I frankly didn’t trust myself to speak anymore. The reality of our sleeping arrangement was starting to sink in.
The elevator ride was silent. So was the walk down the hall. James opened our door.
I stared at the bed like it was a snake. At first, I’d been nervous about this, but the truth hadn’t fully hit. Was I really going to sleep next to him? What if he tried something? What if I let him?
"Are you alright, Em?” James asked as his hand easily slid across my lower back.
“Rule number one,” I muttered.
James let his hand fall, features dancing with amusement. “Right. I forgot for a moment.”
“And don’t call me pet names when we’re alone.”
“You’d prefer I use your full, proper name, then?” he asked.
“Yes…”
“Alright, Emma…”
I swallowed hard. How the hell did he make my goddamn name sound so erotic? Just hearing it on his mouth made me feel like he’d slipped the strap of my dress down and pressed his lips to my neck, like—
I cleared my throat. "I'm going to change."
The bathroom was tiny, because of course it was. I changed into my pajamas—silk shorts and a matching camisole that suddenly felt way too revealing—and tried to give myself a pep talk in the mirror.
It's fine. You're fine. It's just one night. With the man who broke your heart. In a bed. Sharing a pillow.
When I’d finished my nighttime routine and emerged, James had changed into sleep pants and nothing else. Because apparently the universe hated me. Despite trying very hard not to look, my eyes skidded across everything, burning the image into my mind where it might never fade.
A dusting of chest hair on a broad, defined chest. Sharp rows of abs, arms that looked good enough to lick, and… well, his sleep pants were thin gray material. They did almost nothing to hide the shape of his package, which—
I jerked my eyes up. “Would it be too much to ask for you to wear a shirt?”
“If you want me to toss and turn all night, I can. I was being kind by wearing pants. I usually don’t.”
“What do you usually wear?” I asked, even though I knew I shouldn’t.
James’ lips twitched. “Nothing. I get hot at night, so I usually sleep in the nude.”
Of course he does.
“I like your little sleep suit,” he said, gesturing. “Looks comfortable. But cold,” he added, eyes lingering on my chest.
I folded my arms, realizing my nipples had gone hard after seeing his shirt off and those freaking pants that were thin and partially see-through. I could actually see the full shape of his toned legs outlined by the moonlight coming in through the window, and even…
Nope. Nope.
I rushed into bed and pulled the comforter up to my neck.
“Good night,” I said with my back to him.
“Night, Emma,” he said, and he did that damn thing with my name again that made me feel like his hands were all over my body.
I shivered, pulling the comforter tighter as I heard the bathroom door shut and the water start to run.
When he returned to bed, he smelled fresh and minty—maybe the scent of his toothpaste or mouthwash. He slid under the blankets and I immediately felt his warmth radiating outward. It was impossible not to think about his body so close to mine—to think how nice it would feel for him to wrap his arms around me, especially since this room was freezing.
I curled in a little tighter, trying to gather some warmth from the blankets, but they seemed to hold the cold, making it impossible to warm up.
I lay there willing myself not to shiver.
Sleep seemed impossible. Especially when he shifted and some part of him brushed against my ass.
"Sorry," he murmured.
"Rule number one and two," I reminded him, but my voice sounded breathless even to my own ears.
"Right." He moved away slightly. "The rules."
I lay there in the dark, listening to his breathing, remembering another night when we'd been much closer. When his hands had—