He finished showing me around and took my things to his bedroom. “You can sleep in here. I’ll take the couch.”
I tried to hide the wave of disappointment that swept through me. It wasn’t that I was ready to jump into bed with him, not in that sense. Sure, I was wildly attracted to him, and that rough lumberjack of a man could probably ravage me in a hundred different ways. But that wasn’t where my head was. I was tired and upset and I didn’t want to be alone.
But what was I supposed to say? Could you please let me sleep in your bed with you without having sex?
That would be too weird, right?
“Unless–” He paused, as if he were trying to find the right words. “I won’t push you into anything.”
Deciding to take a chance and ask for what I wanted, I met his eyes. “Will you stay in here with me? Even if it’s just to sleep?”
The corners of his mouth lifted. “Yeah.”
Pleasant warmth spread through me at that smile.
It wasn’t late but I was happy to go to bed early. I took Max outside for one last potty break, then came in to get ready for bed. I felt a little awkward, being in Josiah’s space. I didn’t want to get in his way. But we navigated the process of getting ready for bed without too much weirdness, and the simple intimacy of it was oddly exhilarating. There was something about standing next to him in the bathroom while we brushed our teeth and almost bumping into each other reaching for a towel that felt familiar and sweet.
My heart beat a little faster when we got into bed together. Max jumped up and decided on a spot—he tended to be a foot of the bed sleeper and didn’t seem to care that we weren’t home and there was another person in bed with his mommy.
Josiah turned out the light and for a moment, it felt like I couldn’t quite breathe. Then he reached over and pulled me close, tucking my back against his front. He took a deep breath and with his exhale, the tension in my body melted. He was warm and strong and close, and I could have stayed in bed with him forever.
And as I fell asleep, warm and safe in his arms, I fell a little bit in love with Josiah Haven.
CHAPTER 23
Audrey
Light peeked through the bent blinds and it took me a second to remember where I was. Josiah’s house. Not just his house, I was in Josiah’s bed.
I took a deep breath and let that sink in.
The reason I was there threatened to dull my moment of bliss. But I pushed reality away just for a moment so I could bask in the feeling of waking up next to Josiah Haven.
Since I had my back to him, I shifted a little so I could peek, hoping to catch a glimpse of him sleeping.
I was not prepared for what I saw.
Josiah was on his side, facing me, and between us was Max. My dog lay stretched out, belly up, tucked alongside Josiah in blissful doggie sleep. It was the cutest thing I’d ever seen. Josiah, who’d been somewhat indifferent to Max at first, was basically snuggling him in his sleep.
If I hadn’t fallen for Josiah a little bit the night before, I would have then.
Max seemed to sense I was looking at him. He opened his eyes and was wide awake in the space of a second. He jumped off the bed, tail wagging.
“I’m coming,” I whispered. “Give me a second.”
I cast a longing glance at Josiah. He looked so big and warm and comfortable. I would have loved to tuck myself against that burly body, but I didn’t want to test the limits of Max’s bladder. I got up, careful not to wake him, and took Max outside.
Considering everything that had happened, I decided to give my mom a call. I didn’t want to worry her, but I also knew she’d be upset if I didn’t fill her in. It was early, but she’d always been an early riser. I knew she’d be up. While Max sniffed around the yard, I took out my phone and called her.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Hi, Mom. Sorry it’s so early.”
“Is it? I’ve been up for a while. How are you?”
“Fine. Sort of. Actually, something creepy happened last night. I figured I should call and let you know what’s going on.”
“Are you all right?” she asked, her voice suddenly laced with concern.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It was disconcerting but I’m not hurt or anything.”
“What happened?”
“This is going to sound crazy, because it is, and I don’t know how else to tell you other than just coming out and saying it. Someone wrote a swear word on my door. In squirrel blood.”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I got home last night and someone had written a swear word in big letters in squirrel blood. The poor little squirrel was left in front of the door.”