But I had to suck it up and go to work. Even though I knew tonight’s shift would crawl by, since I’d be counting the hours until I could see her this weekend.

Chapter Fifteen

Paige

A whispered voice at the edge of my bed woke me. “Paige?”

“Yeah?” I slurred, blinking in the darkness. The only light came from the hallway, casting the room in shadows.

Cannon’s shadowy form stood a few feet from where I slept. He said nothing, just crossed the room and sat beside me on the bed.

Groggy and confused, I lifted my head. “What time is it?”

“About one in the morning. We were overstaffed and slow, so they sent me home early.”

That didn’t explain what he was doing in my bedroom. I blinked at him slowly.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” he continued.

It took me a second to remember what had happened earlier. I’d gone on a date with Daniel the Douche and ended up with a bloody nose. It hadn’t hurt much, so the blood had surprised me.

“I’m fine,” I said.

Cannon’s warm palm found my cheek, and he brushed the hair back from my face. “Couldn’t sleep till I made sure you were all right.”

I swallowed, leaning into his touch, enjoying the way his strong fingers felt moving through my hair, stroking my scalp. Letting my eyes slip closed, I murmured something unintelligible, and Cannon chuckled.

“Just rest, princess. Sorry I woke you.”

I felt his lips on my forehead, and then the mattress shifted as he rose from the bed. Missing his warm, masculine touch almost immediately, I reached out toward him.

“Don’t go. Not yet,” I whispered.

Normally, I would have been too ashamed to say that. I would have forced myself to be an adult and let him leave. But deep in the night, in the pitch-black darkness, I could ask for what I wanted. I didn’t have to look at his face or worry about what he saw on mine. Nothing that happened between midnight and sunrise counted; I could hide behind the strange darkness that blanketed the world when everyone we knew was asleep. And in the daylight, I could write off this slipup as a dream.

He hesitated for the briefest of moments, and I moved over, making room in the bed.

Then he climbed in beside me, lying down on top of the covers, and in his calming presence, I fell back to sleep almost instantly.

Chapter Sixteen

Cannon

I woke up with a face full of hair and a massive erection. The hell?

Combing back the honey-colored tresses with my fingers, I blinked open one eye and saw that I was still in bed with Paige. I’d fallen asleep listening to her deep, steady breaths, enjoying the closeness long after I should have moved to my own room. It usually took me forever to unwind enough to fall asleep after a shift, but lying there in the darkness and listening to her breathe, I was able to break through the day’s tension and just relax.

But what had started innocently, with me on top of the blankets, somehow had ended with me stripped down to my boxer briefs and under the covers with Paige. I had no idea what time it was, only that it was barely daylight. The T-shirt she’d slept in had ridden up to expose her pink cotton panties printed all over with little donuts, complete with colorful sprinkles.

A wry smile tugged at my mouth. She was sexy without even trying. Most women weren’t sexy first thing in the morning, but there was no black makeup smeared under her eyes, no death-breath emanating from her in an unpleasant wave. There was nothing but soft, sweet female to worship and indulge in.

She stretched her long, toned legs under the blankets, letting out a squeak, then opened her eyes. “Morning, Cannon.”

“Hi, princess.”

“You stayed.” She smiled shyly.

I hadn’t meant to, honestly, but no way was I telling her that. I couldn’t stand to see that smile chased away just yet.

“Yeah, I fell asleep. Is that okay?” I rubbed one hand over my hair and smiled back at her.

“I didn’t take you for the cuddling type.”

“I can be.” I’d never been the type to sleep over or cuddle before in my life. But I didn’t want to think about that right now. “Come here.” I opened my arms, urging her closer, and Paige lifted the corner of the sheet to slide over.

Then she jerked back. “Shit.”

“What is it?” I followed her gaze down to my crotch. Christ! My cock was so hard and eager, standing so tall, that he was peeking at her from the top of my briefs.

Her shy smile fell away, and she bit her lip.

“Ignore it. Come here,” I said again, encouraging her.

She obeyed, cautiously scooting closer until her body was against mine.

“Is that just a normal biological thing, or are you turned on right now?” she asked, her voice hesitant.

“A little of both?”

I was turned on as fuck, but I didn’t want to scare her away or have her thinking I was going to stuff her full of all eight inches . . . unless she was damn sure that was what she wanted. And after last night, I had no idea if it was.

Uneasy laughter was followed by a pat to my chest. “Okay, Cannon.”

She snuggled closer, placing her head next to mine on the pillow, her body touching mine from shoulder to hip. I held her there, enjoying the feel of her warm softness. Perfection.

I wondered if she was thinking the same thing I was. This was the first time we’d been together since our failed attempt at sex.

“I’m actually a little hungry,” I admitted, gripping her hip and tugging her ass back until my dick was nestled right between those soft, plump cheeks.