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“Uh-huh,” I tease.
She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling as she scrolls through our options. We land on a crime movie neither one of us has ever heard of. She fluffs up the pillows and once she’s settled, I reach over, turn off the lamp, and pull her into my side. She wasted time on the pillows. She was always meant to be in my arms. She fits as if she were made for me, so that’s where she’ll be.
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
Courtney
Merrick pulls me into his arms, and I go willingly. I wasn’t sure if he’d be up to staying, but he readily agreed. We’ve been lying here for about thirty minutes when his breathing changes. I glance up to see he’s fallen asleep. The room is dark except for the glow of the TV screen, which gives me plenty of light to take him in. I know he was up early to mow the grass before the heat of the day. He looks peaceful and is still the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. Yes, even his twin. There is just something about Merrick. Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten to know him better, and maybe it’s some invisible force that makes me drawn to him. Either way, he’s here and I’m in his arms, and I’m going to enjoy that while I can.
Feeling around for the remote, I turn off the TV and snuggle into his chest. He tightens his hold on me but doesn’t wake up. My body relaxes into his embrace, and I don’t fight the safety I feel in his arms. As I drift off to sleep, I can’t help but think about what my life would be like if Merrick were really mine. Nights like tonight, hanging out with my sister and her fiancé, and then coming home to snuggle and fall asleep in the same bed? It’s too much to wish for, but my heart doesn’t seem to get the memo.
I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep, but I jolt when the bed moves. I lift my head and blink a few times so that I’m able to make out Merrick’s figure as he sneaks out of bed. “Hey,” I croak.
He sits back down on the bed and faces me. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I was trying to be quiet.”
“Where are you going?”
“Heading home.”
“What time is it?” I ask as I battle with myself. I want him to stay. I want him to come back to bed and wrap his arms around me. Ryder’s words roll through my mind. This isn’t a fight, but then again, Merrick is always telling me I need to stand up for myself. I need to voice what I want. Can I do that? Can I ask him to stay? It’s going to make me seem desperate, but as he answers me, I realize I don’t care. As long as he stays.
“Just after two.”
“Stay.” The words are whispered, but they sound like I’m screaming them into the quiet room. I keep my eyes on his dark figure, holding my breath, waiting to see what he decides to do.
He reaches out and pushes my hair out of my eyes. How he can see to do that in the darkness that surrounds us is beyond me. He finds me easily with nothing but a sliver of moonlight shining through the blinds to guide him. Maybe it’s because I’m still half asleep? I don’t know what I expect him to say, but it’s not his simple “Okay.”
I can hear the smile in his voice, and I recall the conversation where he told me good things happen when I say “okay.”
Suddenly, I’m wide awake. I waver for about thirty seconds before I slide out from beneath the covers and stand. He sucks in a sharp breath when I tug his T-shirt over my head and shimmy out of my panties before moving back beneath the covers. I know it’s too dark for him to see all of me, but it was easy for him to make out what I was doing.
“Court?” His voice is thick, and I can only guess that it’s desire. That’s what I’m allowing myself. I refuse to think it's because he can’t stomach the thought of sleeping naked next to me. The last time, his desire was evident, and I’m holding on to that memory to help me push forward.
“Will you hold me?” I ask softly. The words are out there, and I can’t take them back.
Merrick leans over me and presses his lips to mine. He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t have to. He lets his kiss do the talking as he deepens each stroke of his tongue. When he finally pulls away, he stands and strips out of his clothes. He settles beside me beneath the covers and pulls me into his chest.
Feeling bold, because I spoke up for what I wanted, and he delivered, I let my hands roam his hard chest and abs. My hands trail lower, and he doesn’t stop me. His chest rises a little faster, letting me know his breathing has picked up, but that’s the only indication that this is affecting him.
Moving further, I grip his hard cock in my hand. I stroke him gently, just getting a feel for his rigid length in the palm of my hand.
“Court,” he hisses as his cock twitches in my hand.
“Mer,” I say. There’s a teasing quality to my voice, one I don’t recognize in myself, but this is me with Merrick, and he brings out the best in me.
“We should talk about this.”
“About me stroking you?”
He huffs out a laugh. “Yes.”
“Am I not doing it right?”
“Y—You’re perfect,” he breathes.
I want to pat myself on the back. I’m doing this for him, turning him on. “Then what do we need to talk about?”
