Page 74 of Almost Ours

“Hm.” She shifts against me and her peachy bum drags over the front of my boxers, forcing a sharp breath through my nose. “I think I would’ve preferred you being undeniably attracted to me.”

That too.

There isn’t a universe where I wouldn’t find her attractive. Nothing about Ruby fades into the background. I like her brown hair and huge hazel eyes. I like the colour of her skin and the curve of her waist beneath my arm. I like how fast her brain moves and how little interest she has in pretending to be quieter, easier or less strange than she is.

I can’t think of a single thing I don’t like.

I spent years learning how to flatten every reaction before anybody could use it against me, and Ruby seems capable of pulling one out of me without even trying. A stupid bird can chase us across campus and suddenly I’m hissing at it while she’s bent double laughing. She can call me Grumpy, sugar pokie or whatever other ridiculous thing enters her head, and instead of wanting her to shut up, I wait to hear what she comes out with next.

My attention drops to where my arm is hooked around her middle beneath the duvet, and I try to piece together how the hell I ended up here in the first place.

I’d gone back to The Shed for her phone after carrying her home. Brooke had it in her bag, along with Ruby’s coat at their table, and by the time I got back to halls she’d changed into pyjamas, made us both tea and put The Fault in Our Stars on her laptop.

At some point, I got onto the bed with her. At another point, she’d fallen asleep against my shoulder. And judging by where I am now, I must have followed her not long after.

I don’t remember deciding to stay. I definitely don’t remember getting under the duvet, though I do remember undressing. I have absolutely no memory of wrapping myself around her like a fucking koala, but there are worse places I could’ve ended up.

Ruby moves her head across the pillow as she turns to face me. I loosen my arm so she can roll over, then it settles across her waist again once she’s on her side, our knees knocking beneath the duvet and one of her shins sliding lightly along mine.

“Is there a reason you decided to cuddle me in the middle of the night?”

“Is there a reason you let me?”

She shrugs. “I was asleep.”

“So was I.”

“Hm,” Ruby tuts. “You don’t seem like someone who moves in their sleep.”

“I’m not usually.” I barely ever woke spooning Bonnie, and we’d spent plenty of nights in the same bed. Most of the time I’d wake exactly where I’d fallen asleep, usually on my side with half a mattress between us.

“You’re telling me I migrated across the bed and attached myself to you?”

“Maybe.” I shrug. “I was unconscious. I can’t confirm or deny.”

Ruby’s leg slides between mine as she shifts closer, the inside of her knee dragging slowly up my thigh until it settles dangerously close to my dick. Every part of me stiffens and my hand clamps harder around her hip, fingers digging into the soft flesh there while I drag a breath through my teeth and try not to fucking think like a bog-standard man.

She blinks up at me with the most innocent expression I’ve ever seen. “Still morning wood?”

I laugh. “Get fucked.”

“Are you asking me or telling me?”

“Ruby.” My pulse is racing.

“Okay, okay.” Her voice is throaty. She tilts her head, hazel eyes full of mischief. “What normally gets him to calm down?”

“Ruby—"

She starts thoughtfully tapping her chin. “Is it thinking of your grandmother?”

“You—” I strangle out.

“—A cold shower?”

“—honestly—”

“—Have you tried clenching your ass cheeks?”