Page 84 of The Kiss Connection

I pull back the covers, waiting for Juniper to join me. Climbing under the covers, I stick to my half of the bed, hoping that will suffice because there’s zero chance that I’m crashing on the floor or anywhere else for that matter.

We have to give a united front, that we’re dating. If I get caught sleeping on the couch, our fake relationship is over. And the floor is not comfortable.

The bathroom door opens, and Juniper comes out wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants. The bedroom is already warm, I can’t imagine sleeping in that much clothing. I’m in boxers and I’ve already removed my shirt. I’d prefer to sleep naked, but I probably shouldn’t push my luck with Juniper in the same bed.

“You’re wearing—” her words trail off, and I pull back the blanket, showing her I’m not sleeping in the buff.

“Boxers,” I say. “It’s warm in here.”

“You’re in the bed.” Juniper drops her dirty clothes beside her bag. “My bed.”

“I thought we established that we’re going to share the bed.”

She pouts and scowls at me. “I’m not sleeping with you, Myles.”

“Then, sleep next to me,” I say and roll onto my side. “There’s plenty of room. Don’t make it into something it’s not.”

Juniper opens her mouth and then quickly shuts it, like she’s trying to come up with a reason we can’t do this but is failing miserably.

“Are you telling me that you’ve never slept next to someone in bed and didn’t have sex?” I pat the empty side of the mattress. The covers are pulled down to my waist. I’m still warm and feeling her gaze move over my body doesn’t help cool me off either.

“No funny business, Myles.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I say.

I lie on my side, and once she’s settled, I reach over and turn off the bedside lamp, basking the room in absolute darkness.

The bed shifts as she stirs, trying to make herself comfortable. I do my best not to move because I don’t want her panicking if I bump into her. She seems wound tight, kind of like when I saw her at the airport. I can’t stop thinking about that, the dazed look she had on her face, her pale complexion. But once we got on the plane, together, she seemed fine.

She tosses and turns while I remain on my side, my arm tucked under my pillow. There’s a coolness that shifts over me and I tug the blankets higher around myself, accidentally nudging her.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m chilly. Grabbing the blankets. Why? Did I grab your boob or something?” I answer snarkily.

It didn’t feel like her breast or any other body part, all I grabbed was the blanket and lifted it a little higher on my side.

Silence fills the space.

“Goodnight,” I say, my tone calm, even. It’s late and I’m exhausted.

“Night.” She shifts again, and this time she’s the one touching me. Her body nudges mine, but I get the impression it isn’t on purpose. She’s rolling around again.

“Are you always this restless?”

Juniper rolls from her side onto her back. While it’s dark, I can make out the outline of her features.

“I can’t sleep,” she whispers.

We haven’t been trying for that long.

“Roll over.”

“What?” she asks, glancing at me.

“Roll onto your stomach. I’ll give you a massage; it’ll help you relax and hopefully you’ll be able to fall asleep.”

The bed shifts again as she moves onto her stomach. I sit up, climbing onto my knees, moving my hips over hers, straddling her from behind.