Page 229 of Override

She knows my real name now. She could use it whenever she wants.

Instead, when it's just the two of us, she still chooses the name she gave me before she knew anything about me.

Somehow...that matters more than it should. I close my eyes for half a second.

This is becoming a problem.

Not because I don't know what this feeling is. I do. That's exactly what worries me.

I push myself up against the headboard before answering. "Yes."

The room is dark except for the thin strip of light spilling in from the hallway behind her. I can only make out the outline of her shoulders and the loose t-shirt she'd borrowed from me earlier, but it's enough to recognize the way she's standing.

Carefully. Like she's worried she's already asking too much.

"Are you okay?"

She nods once before remembering I probably can't see it. "I'm okay." A pause. "I just..." Her fingers tighten around the edge of the door. "Can I stay in here with you?"

The question reaches me a fraction of a second after my body has already answered it.

By the time my brain catches up, I've shifted toward the wall, making room beside me without thinking.

"Of course." The words leave quietly. Then the practical part of my brain finally catches up. "If you're uncomfortable being alone, I'll stay in the master bedroom." She looks confused. "I can sleep on the floor."

"It's unnecessary, but if knowing someone's nearby helps you rest, I understand." I glance toward the hallway. "The apartment is secure."

Every door is locked. Every camera is operational. No movement outside. No unexplained vehicles. No anomalies. "I don't think anyone can reach you here."

She watches me for a long moment before giving the smallest shake of her head. "That's not why."

"No?"

She walks the rest of the way into the room. "I don't want you on the floor."

Before I can respond, she slips beneath the blanket beside me. The bed is suddenly much smaller than it's ever been.

Not uncomfortable. Just...occupied.

She settles onto her side, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from her even before she gently rests her head against my chest.

Every thought I'd been having five minutes ago disappears. My body makes another decision before I do. My hand lifts on its own. My fingers disappear into her hair.

Soft. Softer than I expected. The strands slide between my fingers like water, and before I realize what I'm doing, I'm slowly combing them back from her face.

She sighs. Not dramatically. Just enough that I feel the sound more than hear it.

Something in my chest loosens. I haven't fixed anything. Ronan is still out there. Tomorrow will probably bring another conversation neither of us wants to have.

And yet, inexplicably, this feels right.

"Okay," I murmur.

She tilts her head slightly.

"We can move into the master bedroom." I glance around the cramped guest room. "The bed is larger. There would be more space. It would probably be more comfortable."

She smiles against my shirt. "I don't want the bigger bed."