Page 59 of Only You

“Oh.”

He carried her inside, and without turning on the lights, he went straight to his bedroom. Soft, plush cotton cushioned her body as he laid her down on his bed.

“You’re sleeping in here so I can keep an eye on you,” he stated.

Kayla was too tired to argue. Jack removed her ankle boots and plunked them onto the floor. Then he covered her with a blanket, tucking it tightly around her.

“I’ll get you a glass of water and some ibuprofen. Don’t move,” he instructed.

“Mmm-hmm.” Kayla wasn’t going anywhere, even if she knew she shouldn’t be in Jack’s bed. Her body was too limp and mind too numb to move. She just needed to sleep for a while, and then she’d get up and go upstairs.

“Here you go,” Jack said, rousing her again. He propped her up and forced her to drink water and swallow the pills. Then he gently lowered her down. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”

“Mmm.”

That was the last thing she remembered until her eyes popped open again. Feeling cold, she reached for a blanket and discovered she was wearing only her bra and panties. Panic set in. Where are my clothes? Then she heard the rhythmic sound of someone breathing. Twisting her head to the side, she saw a manly shape under the covers. Jack.

It all came back to her—the strong cocktails, dancing with Jack, him carrying her inside, laying her on his bed, and crawling in beside her. Oh no! Did we do it? She fought down the panic and tried to remember what happened between the time they got home and now.

Little by little, the memories crept in. “I’m hot,” she’d complained.

“Undress, and I’ll get your pajamas,” Jack replied.

Had she taken off her clothes or had he? “Jack?”

“I’m right here.”

“Where?” She glanced around but didn’t see him.

“On the floor.”

Kayla looked down and saw him lying in a sleeping bag beside the bed.

“What do you need? Are you going to be sick?” Jack scrambled out of the sleeping bag and gazed at her with concern.

“I’m cold.”

“Do you want another blanket?”

The next thing she remembered, he climbed into bed and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Warmed by his body, she’d fallen back asleep … Unless something else had happened.

At some point, she’d said, “You smell good.”

“Thank you.” Jack’s breath tickled the nape of her neck.

“You’re so handsome.” She ran her hands up and down his bare forearms. Had he been wearing a shirt?

“Go back to sleep,” he whispered.

“I mean it.”

“Thank you.”

“What time is it?”

“Too late for talking.”

Sometime later, she woke and said, “Jack. I have to pee.”