I turn and stare at him. “What are you, six? It’s bedtime mister.”
His eyes twinkle with amusement. “Come tuck me in mommy,” he smirks.
“No!” I shout at the same time that I can’t hold back my laughter. I whip around to Jason. “Water! We need water now!”
I walk over to the cabinets and start opening them until I find the glasses. I turn toward the fridge and fill the glass all the way up before setting the glass in front of Reed. “Drink.”
He smiles at me before picking up the glass and gulping it all down in one go. He sets the glass back down in front of me and leans forward. “All sober now,” he tries.
I refill the glass and grab the bowl of pasta that Jason scooped for him and start walking back toward the room. “Bed. Now!” I say to him.
He follows behind. “Yes, ma’am. You don’t have to ask me twice.”
I set the water and pasta on the nightstand. I point to the bed next to it, and he pauses before getting in and pulls his pants down, leaving him in only a pair of black briefs.
I quickly turn away. “Don’t you have some pajamas?” I ask through clenched teeth.
Don’t look, Wren. Don’t you fucking dare look. God, I’m looking.
Jesus, am I attracted to thighs? Fuck, stop. But the way his abs curve down to his hips, pointing directly to his… Fuck!
“Eat your damn pasta,” I grit out before turning and walking back to the kitchen to grab water for myself.
When I walk back in the room, he has a goofy grin on his face as he slurps up some noodles. I roll my eyes and try to hide my own smile as I walk to the other side of the bed. I set my water down and then slide under the covers on the other side.
He finishes the noodles in a matter of minutes since he basically inhaled them, so I reach over and turn off the lamp, leaving only the light from under the door to illuminate the room.
I get cozy under the blanket and lay on my side facing him. “I’m exhausted,” I say as I close my eyes.
He reaches forward and places his hand on my waist. “You did amazing today,” he whispers.
I don’t know what to say back, so I just smile at him. He scooches closer. “Everyone kept asking me where we were hiding you and your amazing food.”
I let out a small laugh, but then he reaches forward and pushes my hair behind my ear. “I hate him for holding you back,” he whispers softly.
“Reed,” I choke on the word a little.
He leans forward and places the softest kiss against my lips. “Don’t ever let anyone do that to you again. Promise me?” he whispers when he pulls back.
He stares at my face waiting for an answer, so I nod. “I promise.”
He sinks further down the bed as he cuddles up next to me. He wraps his arm around my waist, and his legs tangle up with mine while he leans his head against my arm. “I’ll always take care of you, Wren,” he mumbles so quietly that I barely hear him, and moments later he drifts off to sleep.
I lay there for a while staring up at the ceiling while he sleeps. I can’t sleep. Even though I am tired, my mind is wired. What am I doing here? I shouldn’t be doing this. Am I really that desperate for affection that I am falling for my dead husband’s brother?
No, wait. I’m not falling for him. No. These feelings aren’t real. I’m just lonely. I can’t love this man like that.
Just because he’s always been there for me, and he’s always had my back doesn’t mean I love him. Just because he would defend me even when it made himself look bad, and just because he’s always been able to make me laugh when I’m feeling down doesn’t mean anything. Just because I trust him with everything in me that he will always do what’s best for me doesn’t mean I can feel this way.
As quietly as possible, I slip out of the bed and grab my bag. I shouldn't have come here. This was a mistake.
I close the door softly, but when I turn around, Jason is sitting in the living room still. I gasp and clutch my chest. “I didn’t realize you were still awake.”
He takes a glance at my bag in my hand and raises his eyebrows. “What are you doing?”
I hesitate because I don’t know what to say. “Uhm...” I say awkwardly.
He covers his face with his hands and slides them down. “Ah fuck, Wren. Does he know you’re leaving?”
I look down to the floor because I feel guilty. “He’s sleeping,” I mumble.
He blows out a breath and shakes his head. “He’s not going to be happy when he finds you gone.”
I sigh. “You’ll talk to him for me though, right?”
He slaps his hands against his thighs and sighs. “Or you could just stay.”