Page 56 of Unbound

Making sure she doesn’t get hurt is one of my top priorities, but I also intend to make sure she doesn’t push herself too hard. I have a feeling that’s been her norm for the last couple years, and it’s time for that to stop.

“You just thought you should go sit back in front of the computer, right?” I reach the edge of the bed, wrapping an arm around her waist as I go. “You don’t have to answer that. I already know.” Resting one knee on the mattress, I drag her back to the middle, pulling her down with me as I fall to my side. “You’re not going back downstairs tonight. You’re going to get a full night’s sleep.” I tug the covers over both of us before wrapping my arm back around her middle and tucking her back against me. She’s a sneaky little thing, and I don’t put it past her to try to worm away after I crash. “Good night, Sybil.”

“Are you serious?” she scoffs. “It’s only ten o’clock.”

“Don’t care. I’m tired and I know you’re fucking exhausted, so shut your eyes, shut your mouth, and go to sleep.” I slide one leg between hers, securing her to me in a second location. “Tomorrow, you can sit in front of your computer for as long as you want.”

That’s probably not true, but if I can get her to sleep a full night, I’m willing to break the news that I’m a liar to her in the morning.

“Fine.” She huffs out a breath. “But only this one time.”

“Only this one time,” I agree. This can only happen one time. Not only the sleeping together part, but everything that preceded it. Unfortunately…

We’ve already established I’m a liar.

18

Sybil

Waking up has never been my favorite thing. Usually because I stay up way too late, only passing out when I literally can’t stay upright anymore. But this morning, I’m actually feeling a little refreshed. A little like I might not spend the first few hours of my day downing coffee and scowling at my computer.

Weird.

Pulling in a deep breath, I lift both hands over my head and curl my back like a cat, stretching⁠—

“What the fuck.” I scramble away from what feels a hell of a lot like a person in the bed next to me. Unfortunately, I’m fully tucked under a pile of blanket and sheet, the tangle of fabric impeding my escape.

And resulting in a very ungraceful topple over the edge of the mattress.

I hit the floor hard, but barely feel the impact as adrenaline pumps into my veins, telling me to run like hell because…

Because…

“Oh…my…damn.”

I stare at Walker, the events of last night—and how he made me go to sleep, nixing my intentions of heading to his office to look through more documents—coming back to me in a rush.

A rush that’s almost as affecting as the cool air drifting across my bare ass.

I slam both hands in front of my lady parts, hiding them behind my palms the way I did last night when I was concerned he wouldn’t get me off.

Ha.

Ha ha.

“Good morning to you too.” Walker’s voice is rough as he scrubs one hand over his face. Dropping it to the blankets, he lets his blue eyes roam over me. “There a reason you’re hiding that from me?” A smirk twists his lips. “Because I thought I proved myself more than capable of meeting your requirements.”

Holy hell.

I find calm, stoic, serious Walker more than appealing. But smug Walker would make my panties drop. If I hadn’t already lost them somewhere last night.

“I’m just…”

I get a glimpse of the very unimpressive cotton underpants I put on yesterday, never once thinking anyone would witness them but me. Moving to the corner of the bed where they’re snagged in the sheets, I stretch one arm out to tug them free.

“You’re just what, Sybil?” The rumbling way Walker says my name nearly has my knees giving out as I try to wiggle my panties on one-handed.

“I’m just…”