Chapter 19: Chapter Nineteen

Everett

I have kept my promise and behaved. It hasn’t been easy, but I know if I didn’t, Aubrey would have left. I hate the long game, but I will continue to play along until I get what I want. She is already close to breaking. It had been a relaxing night, spent watching a movie and enjoying snacks.

I check the time, and it is getting late. If she wants to go home, she should leave before it gets any later. I glance over at Aubrey and find her sound asleep, her head resting on the arm of the sofa. It doesn’t look very comfortable. She can stay here. If she doesn’t like it, tough. I would rather she not crash on the way home because she is half asleep. I will take her to my bed. At least that way, if she wakes up and freaks out because she forgets where she is, she will see me next to her.

I stand, going around and making sure everything is switched off, and the door is locked. I arrange my bed so I can just put her straight into it. She still has clothes on, it won’t be comfortable to sleep with those, but I am not going to change her into something else. She will wake up if I do that. I don’t like women sleeping in my bed. It isn’t something that happens often.

When I return to the living room, she hasn’t moved or woken up. I carefully scoop her into my arms. She nuzzles her face into my neck, and a soft whimper falls from her lips. I chuckle at her reaction and command the living room light to go off, taking her to my bedroom. I lay her down, and she stirs. I thought she was going to wake up, but she doesn’t. Thank God. I don’t want her to wake up and yell at me for bringing her to my bed.

I strip down to my boxers and slip in next to her. I stare at the ceiling, sighing to myself. I really hate sharing my bed with anyone. I should have put her in the spare room. I feel the bed move from next to me, and a second later, half of Aubrey’s body sprawls over mine. She shifts and rocks her hips against me. I groan at the contact. This will not work! I can’t have her all up on me like this. It is too much, especially when I know it won’t lead to anything. I gently remove her body from mine and put the most distance possible between us. If she does it again, I will go to sleep in another room.

I roll onto my side, my back to her and close my eyes, hoping sleep will take over. I soon find myself beginning to drift off. Aubrey may not be here when I wake. That is fine. I will make sure to see her again soon.

I don’t know how long I was asleep, but by the darkness, it is still the middle of the night. I turn over and realise the spot next to me is empty. Where did Aubrey go? I check the time. It is three in the morning. She did not drive home at this time, did she? I sit up and run my fingers through my hair, climbing out of bed to search the place in case she is still here. I check the living room and see her figure sitting on the windowsill, staring out of the window, her knees hugged to her chest. She has one of the small lamps on. She seems lost in her thoughts.

“Aubrey, are you okay?” I ask softly.

Aubrey jumps and lets out a small squeal. She must not have heard me approaching.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I reply, making my way over to her.

“It is okay. What are you doing up?”

“I woke and noticed the spot next to me was empty. I wanted to make sure you hadn’t driven home. What is on your mind?”

Aubrey shrugs. “Nothing, I am fine.”

“People who are fine don’t stare out of windows at three in the morning.”

She is lying to me. I don’t really care what is wrong, but I need to pretend like I do.

“I told you before, I don’t sleep well some nights.”

I sit across from her on the bay window. “Why? There must be a reason for it.”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Why did you put me in your bed? You could have put me in another room or left me on the sofa.”

She seems as closed off as I am. I know what causes mine. I wonder what causes her to be such a way.

“Because I didn’t want you to wake up somewhere strange and freak out. In bed, at least if you looked over, you would see me there and relax.”

She gives me a soft smile. “It makes sense.”

“Will you come back to bed? It is late. You need to try to get some sleep.” I say softly.

Aubrey lets out a deep sigh and nods. She doesn’t seem keen on the idea. I jump to my feet and offer my hand to her. She is hesitant but takes it. I help her up and lead her back to my bedroom, not a word spoken between us. She slips back in, turning her back to me and mumbles a goodnight.

“Goodnight, Aubrey.”

I settle back down, but Aubrey begins to fidget. I roll my eyes. Screw being in a relationship with her and trying to sleep next to her every night. You wouldn’t get much sleep at all. It takes a few minutes before I become frustrated, but I keep it inside because I don’t want to yell at her for moving.

I reach over and slip my arm around her, bringing her back against my chest. It seemed to work the last time, hopefully, it will be the same this time.

“What are you doing?” she asks, trying to wriggle out of my arms.

I hold her tighter. “Making sure we both get some sleep. Now, hush and stop acting like you don’t enjoy my snuggles. Sleep.” I chuckle.

She mutters something under her breath and relaxes in my arms. Have I mentioned I hate cuddling? It is way too intimate, but if it means sleep, then I can do it for one night.

“You are a pain in my ass.” She huffs.

“Yes, but you enjoy it. Don’t deny it, sweetness.”

She curses me out, and the conversation gets left there. It doesn’t take long for her breathing to even out, and she finally falls asleep. Thank fuck! I close my eyes, more than ready for sleep, too.