“Try it,” he whispered.
“You don’t think it’s weird for me to use it?” she whispered back.
“I bought it for you, didn’t I?”
Well. That was true. Maybe she was being silly.
“Stop overthinking everything. Try it.”
She slid it into her mouth. It was kind of odd. She wasn’t sure she liked it for a start. It was obviously made for an adult. It filled her mouth. But it wasn’t as plastic tasting as she’d feared. Knowing Wolfe, he’d likely washed it well first.
Her eyes started drooping and she yawned again. Wolfe took off his glasses and settled on his back. She lay there, unable to sleep. However, she was determined not to toss and turn, not wanting to keep him awake.
“Princess?”
“Yes?”
“Not sure I’m up to the cuddling thing.”
“That’s okay,” she said hastily. “I’m fine.”
“Does Caleb cuddle you at night? Does it keep the nightmares at bay?”
“Umm, he does. But I’ll be fine. I have the blanket.”
“I don’t want you having a nightmare.” He was silent for so long that she wondered if that was all he had to say. If he’d gone off to sleep.
“Not sure I can hold your hand.”
“Wolfe, it’s fine.”
He was being sweet, worrying so much. It was kind of unexpected. Then she jolted in shock as he reached out and his pinky wrapped around hers.
“All right?” he asked qu
ietly.
“Yeah,” she replied.
The tension bled from her as they lay there side-by-side, connected by their hands. She understood what a step it was for him.
And it was perfect.
27
She awoke to find Wolfe leaning over her, his face in hers.
A gasp escaped her before she could swallow it down. She mumbled his name around the pacifier in her mouth. How had that stayed in there all night? Surprise filled her as she realized that she’d slept all night without a nightmare. And she hadn’t woken up with a headache. “Wolfe!”
“Good. You’re awake.”
Well, she was now.
“Is it late?” Why was he standing over her, watching her sleep?
“No, it’s eight. But you were making noises in your sleep.”
“I was? Sorry.” She tried to push herself up so she was sitting, wincing as she pulled at her sore arm.