Page 221 of Heartless Sinner

Brooks is here. In my room.

Once the last lace came free, he settled his palm against my bare back. He rubbed slowly between my shoulder blades, his thumb bracing lazy circles over my skin.

“There,” he murmured in my ear.

The second his hand left me, I missed it.

I slipped out of the dress and went to change into my pajamas.

He stood there, waiting for my next move.

“Let’s talk in the morning,” I said while climbing into bed.

“I like that idea,” he muttered, getting into bed with me.

At first, he kept his distance.

That didn’t last long.

The mattress shifted behind me, and he slipped his arm around my waist. I smiled when he pulled me back against his chest.

The warmth of his body was the first happiness I’d felt in months.

Tonight, I’ll pretend everything isn’t broken.

Tomorrow, we’ll have to deal with it.

Sixty

Daphne

Iwoke up to Brooks watching me.

His eyes were sleepy.

But there was no anger in them.

That’s progress at least.

He sat propped up on one elbow.

Soft light filtered through the curtains.

For the first time in months, I didn’t hate that sunlight. It actually gave me hope.

“Morning,” he said in a hoarse voice.

“Morning,” I whispered, stretching my arms before rising up and resting my back against the carved wooden headboard.

He did the same, shifting up the pillows. The warmth of his bare shoulders brushing mine felt so right. So familiar.

“Sooooo …” I dragged the word out in the quiet room.

“Sooooo …” he repeated.

I couldn’t help but nervously laugh.

He did the same, the corners of his eyes crinkling.