Page 33 of The Deadbeat DILF
I leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth. I didn’t think about it—I just did it. He stiffened, and for a second, I thought he’d pull away. Had I ruined everything? Had I destroyed our growing friendship too?
But a second later, he relaxed and kissed me back, his lips moving slowly and tenderly against mine.
I scooted closer to him, my hand slipping around to the back of his neck. I needed to be closer to him.
As if he could read my thoughts, he grabbed my hips and pulled me into his lap in one swift motion. My legs draped over his, and he put his hand into my hair and cradled me close, kissing away the pain.
Warmth washed over me in waves. This felt so right. I felt safe and protected and cared for as he held me tightly.
I didn’t know how long we kissed for, but eventually, we pulled away to catch our breath. I waited for the awkwardness to hit us, but it never did. Instead, Robert just held me, occasionally stroking my hair.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“I’m tired,” I admitted. Everything that had happened with my family had completely exhausted me, and now even my eyelids felt heavy.
“I’ll take you to your room,” he said. He hooked his arms under my knees and neck and rose up from the couch, holding me against his chest as he headed to the bedroom.
I wrapped my arms around his neck. I couldn’t help admiring his strength as he carried me like I weighed nothing.
He laid me down in bed. I was so tired, I didn’t even care I was still in my work clothes. I just wanted to escape into sleep.
He pulled the covers over me, his lips grazing my forehead. “Goodnight,” he murmured.
Just as he took a step away, my hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. “Wait. Don’t go.”
Yes, I was about to fall asleep, but I’d feel better if he was with me. I wanted his arms around me. I wanted to feel safe again.
For so long, I felt like I was floating out at sea. Free, but alone. Surrounded by the unknown.
With him, I felt moored.
He hesitated, but my need must’ve been clear on my face, because he nodded and slipped into bed with me. His arms reached out and pulled me close, and I laid my head against his chest. His heartbeat thumped against my ear, and it helped lull me to sleep.
“Thank you,” I murmured as my eyes fell shut. Only now, I realized how much I’d been wanting this. For a man to hold me, to make me feel cherished.
And not just any man.
Him.
My ex’s father. Someone who was almost stranger.
But he wasn’t a stranger anymore. He became my roommate, and now I considered him a friend.
I hadn’t known him long, but it felt right, lying here with him, and I was asleep within minutes.
The blare of my morning alarm jolted me out of deep sleep. I silenced the alarm on my phone and blinked a few times as I woke up. Morning sunlight peeked through the curtains covering my bedroom windows, filling the room with a hazy golden glow.
My bed felt cozy and warmer than usual. That’s when I noticed the weight on my hip and something firm against my back. My eyes flew wide open as I turned around to look over my shoulder.
It was Robert. He was still asleep, breathing gently, his arm draped over my hip.
Last night, I’d fallen asleep on his chest. That felt like a century ago, and while my cheeks went hot, I didn’t regret asking him to stay.
Last night had been the best sleep I’d had in a while.
For a few minutes, I studied him. He looked younger while sleeping. His features were relaxed, and the fine wrinkles around his eyes seemed to smooth out.
He shifted, and I held my breath, afraid he’d wake up. What would we say to each other? Last night, I’d laid all my cards on the table. I’d kissed him—something I promised myself I wouldn’t do.
