“I think he gets that from me, though. I can pretty much sleep through anything.” Her silence has me straining my neck down to catch her closed eyes. “Mia?”
“Hmm?”
I smile. “Did I render you speechless?”
“Hmm.” Her arm that’s wrapped around my waist tightens as the rest of her body stays completely limp.
She’s falling asleep, but she can’t let go of me. It’s as if she’s afraid I’ll slip away from her the moment she passes out. Or that I won’t be there when she wakes up. She’s holding on to me with everything she has, which is how I’ve always felt around her. Even when I was only holding on to the memory of us together.
I press my lips to her forehead, pulling the covers up over us both. “Sleep, angel. You have me. I’m never letting you go.”
And with those words to her, she finally relaxes.
Mia
I don’t want to open my eyes.
I don’t want to wake up and have this not be real.
I want to stay asleep for days, months, years even. Because this dream is different. This isn’t just my typical nightly fantasy that stars Benjamin Kelly bringing me to orgasm over and over. Not that those aren’t amazing. But this dream is better. Because he stayed. He is holding me like he did the first night we were together. It feels so right. So real. And I’m terrified of opening my eyes and discovering that I’m alone. That we’re still only friends. I can feel his skin against my cheek. I can smell his scent, the strong masculine pheromones that are purely Ben. Is my mind completely fucking with me right now? I shouldn’t be able to feel or smell anything. Right? My curiosity is piqued and I have to risk the disappointment I am sure to feel when I open my eyes.
I peek one, then both open, and I almost cry at the sight of him. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this happy before. Forget sleeping forever. I never want to pry my eyes away from the man that is asleep right next to me.
He’s in my bed.
It wasn’t a dream.
His breath blows across my forehead, his legs tangling with mine under the covers. It’s real. I reach up and brush my finger down his nose, seeing his lip twitch slightly. I run my finger over the tattoo that covers his shoulder, tracing over the outline of the design. It’s beautiful. The way the colors blend together, the way it stretches down his arm and over his muscles. It’s a scene of objects and quotes, but certain ones stand out. “Nolan” is etched on his skin in the handwriting of a child. It’s the sweetest thing, and I trace over it several times with the tip of my finger. Ben stirs underneath me as my finger runs up and over the police shield that is on his upper arm. The words “Honor The Fallen” in bold ink stands out on his tanned skin. I run over the words several times as my mind drifts.
How many fallen men did Ben know? He doesn’t have the safest job, and the thought of him being in danger is enough to make me want to hold on to him forever and not let him out of my sight. If something happened to him… no. I can’t go there.
He stirs beneath me again, and the feel of his finger brushing down my nose brings my attention up to his face.
“Hey.” I press my lips to his chest and rest my chin on my hand.
His eyes seem brighter in the morning, almost as if there is a light shining behind them. His hair is a bit messy and he’s rocking the perfect amount of stubble. I could get used to morning Ben.
I run my finger down his nose and he catches it, bringing it to his lips.
“I like it better when you’re not trying to sneak out on me in the morning.” He rolls over onto his side, running his hand down my arm. “You looked like you were stuck in that pretty little head. What’s going on?”
I glance from his tattoo back to him. “Have you ever been shot at?” He raises his eyebrows, seemingly unprepared for that type of question. I trace over the words underneath his shield again. “I mean, your job is really dangerous, isn’t it?”
“Sometimes. But I’ve never been put in a situation like that. Luke got shot in the leg a couple years ago.” My eyes widen, and he shakes his head at my worried stare. “The bullet barely grazed his shin, but when he tells the story, he almost died. I’m pretty sure his version has gotten him laid on more than one occasion.” His hand grips my hip tightly and he pulls me against him. His eyes darken to a devious shade as I become aware of his need for me. Very aware. “Is my girl worried about me?” he asks, rolling on top of me and settling his body between my legs.
“Yes.” I wrap my legs around his waist, lifting up my pelvis to grant him access.
He enters me slowly, groaning and dropping his forehead to mine. “Don’t be.” He kisses my lips once, then once more. “Nothing could take me away from you. You’ve got me, baby. This is where I belong. Right here.” He braces himself on his hands, thrusting into me deeply. “Christ, there’s nothing like this.” His voice is strained, his eyes focused on my face, gently caressing my features as he moves inside me.
“Ben.” I reach up and stroke his cheek.
The connection we share is so strong, so undeniable. I never want to break it. He’s so familiar to me. Being with Ben feels like being home. And I can’t imagine my life without this man in it. But after the summer is over, what will we
