Page 38 of Robbin’ the Rich

She flipped me off and curled against my side while I pulled up my favorite Next Generation episode. And somehow… That felt bigger than the sex had. Robin settled comfortably beside me beneath a blanket while arguing about fictional space politics.

Halfway through the episode, her head slowly tipped against my shoulder. I glanced down. She was asleep. I stared at her for a long second, genuinely stunned. Robin didn’t strike me as someone who fell asleep around people easily. But there she was curled against me, trusting enough to drift off during a Star Trek debate.

My chest tightened painfully around the edges.

Careful, Micah.

I stayed still through the rest of the episode, barely paying attention anymore while her breathing softened steadily against me.

Eventually, I brushed a hand lightly against her arm. “Robin,” I murmured gently before pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

She blinked awake slowly, disoriented for a second before looking up at me. “…Did I fall asleep?”

“A little.” I smiled softly. “Come on.”

Still sleepy, she let me guide her toward the bedroom. At the edge of the bed, Robin looked up at me with messy curls and sleepy green eyes and absolutely no awareness of how devastatingly adorable she looked.

My heart did something deeply unsafe. I pulled the blankets over her carefully before leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

“I’ll text you in the morning,” I said quietly.

Robin hummed sleepily and caught my wrist before I could fully pull away.

“Thanks for not murdering me,” she murmured.

I laughed softly under my breath.

“Anytime, trouble.”

Then I left her there warm and sleepy in tangled blankets while my stupid heart followed behind her like it already belonged there.

9

ROBIN

Water spilled over my shoulders as I squeezed some citrus scent body wash onto my loofa. I had woken up today before my alarm had even gone off and I was annoyingly happy for a Tuesday.

Then I remembered why. Micah.

A stupid little flutter started up in my chest. It was humiliating behavior. I finished my shower, got out, and dried off. After washing my face, I reached for my phone and found a text waiting for me already.

Micah: Good morning trouble, Did you survive my dangerous nerd propaganda?

I smiled so fast my face hurt. Ridiculous.

Robin: barely. Who knew space diplomacy would make me so sleepy.

Three dots appeared almost immediately.

Micah: Next time I’m going to wake you up so you don’t miss it

Robin: Don’t push your luck star trek boy

Micah: You know you like it.

A laugh escaped me softly as I strolled out of my bathroom. This was new. The flirty texting was one thing, but I found the softness of it all to be an entirely new feeling. Something about him put me at ease. Most people exhausted me eventually. Social interaction usually felt like balancing spinning plates while pretending I wasn’t counting the exits. Micah somehow felt restful instead.

I padded into the kitchen in plaid pajama shorts and an oversized sweatshirt to make coffee while my phone buzzed again.