Page 103 of Snow

His smile faded as he thought about her family. He despised her mother and father. But her siblings sounded like good people. Protective, occasionally annoying from what she had said, but good. Her sister had clearly been there for her, and her brothers seemed more than willing to step in when needed.

At least she had them. And now she had him.

He shook his head. Jesus. One night and you’re already mentally adding yourself to the family Christmas card.

He nearly laughed at himself. He needed to slow the fuck down.

Whatever happened last night didn’t mean Nova owed him anything this morning. She had just ended a two-and-a-half-year relationship, and although it had technically been over for a while, she had only recently learned the full extent of the betrayal surrounding it. Her parents were still attempting to manipulate her life, and somewhere on this rig was a very real threat they hadn’t identified yet.

Complicated didn’t begin to cover it.

If she woke up and told him she needed to slow down, they would slow down.

If she needed some breathing room, he would give it to her.

Would he enjoy either one? Fuck no. But he would do it because last night hadn’t changed the most important thing. He wanted Nova, and not just in his bed.

Snow stared at the ceiling for a moment, letting it sink in.

He felt Nova shift against him, her fingertips absently brushing his stomach before going still again.

His entire train of thought derailed at the feel of her hands on him.

“You’re playing a dangerous game for someone who’s asleep,” he muttered.

Her lips twitched against his chest.

Snow narrowed his eyes.

“You’re awake.”

“Shh…No, I’m not.”

He laughed.

Nova finally lifted her head, and the sight of her almost did him in. Her hair was a disaster; there were faint marks on one cheek, and her eyes were barely open. She was fucking adorable.

“How long have you been awake?”

“Long enough to hear you complain about me taking up too much room.”

He chuckled.

She yawned and settled her chin against his chest. “For the record, you were hogging the bed.”

Snow stared at her. “Sweetheart, you’re practically sleeping on top of me.”

“Exactly. Because you took all the good spots.”

He barked out a laugh. “That doesn’t even make sense.”

“It does before coffee.”

“Ah.”

She smiled sleepily at him, and something inside Snow’s chest gave a hard, uncomfortable tug.

There she was. Not the polished attorney. Not the woman trying to convince everyone around her that she had everything under control.