Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Sleep pulls me under slowly, like being wrapped in a cocoon of safety, and I let go. The world fades.
At some point, though, I stir. Something firm presses into my back, and for a second, I can’t piece together where I am. My mind fumbles through the fog of sleep, but then the warmth and scent—fresh and woodsy—register. I blink, trying to refocus. Soft morning light filters through the window, casting a pale glow across the room, and that’s when I feel it.
An arm. Not just any arm. Orion’s heavy arm, draped over me.
My breath catches in my throat. He’s behind me, his body close, the warmth radiating from him like a furnace. I can hear his soft, even breathing, and my heart does a somersault as I realize the situation I’m in. I’m in bed with him. Well, technically he’s in bed with me, but still.
I freeze, my thoughts a jumbled mess. What do I do? Do I move? Do I stay here? My mind flits to the ridiculous idea that I should be analyzing what’s pressing into my back.
Oh my god.
I realize the thing poking me in the back is him. Like him him.
I jolt upright, his arm falling off me. This action wakes him up and he groans. It’s so sexy too. However, I try my best to pretend I didn’t just wake up to Orion pressing his hard dick against me.
And from the weight of it. The size of it.
It’s massive.
Like the Titanic of dicks. Probably even bigger than that.
I bound out of bed, trying to escape the awkwardness as quickly as humanly possible. Smooth, Briar. Really smooth.
My feet make a beeline for the bathroom down the hall, and as soon as I shut the door, I let out a slow, deep breath. I lean against the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror, heart still pounding.
Did he actually wake up? I wonder, hoping against hope that he didn’t notice me bolting like a startled deer.
I quickly do my business, splash some cold water on my face, and exit the bathroom. With ninja-like precision, I steer clear of the bedroom. No way am I risking another awkward moment there. Instead, I head for the kitchen, and like some kind of wizard, Orion is already there, standing at the counter, brewing a pot of coffee.
Great. Of course, he’s up.
“How’d you sleep?” he asks, his back still turned to me as he fiddles with the coffee maker like some expert barista.
I freeze, my brain suddenly swarmed with one very specific, very inappropriate thought: I wonder if he’s still hard.
Nope. Nope. Nope. Abort mission, Briar. Focus on literally anything else.
I plaster on a smile and answer way too quickly, “Great! Like a baby.” Then, because I apparently have zero self-control, I keep talking. “Although I never get why they say that because babies don’t actually sleep. My cousin’s baby slept maybe an hour a night and cried the rest of the time. Honestly, it was more like sleeping next to a banshee.”
I stop mid-ramble, realizing how far off the rails I’ve gone. I clamp my mouth shut, suddenly wishing for a time machine.
Orion turns just enough to raise an eyebrow, his expression mildly amused. “You talk a lot, don’t you?” His voice is low and casual, like this is all perfectly normal while he masterfully works the coffee machine, barely glancing my way.
“Only when I’m nervous,” I whisper, inwardly cringing.
Why did I just admit that?
He stops mid-coffee-pour, blinking at me as if I’ve said something far more interesting than intended. His eyes lock onto mine, amusement still dancing in them. “Are you nervous now?”
Cue internal freak-out. “No! I mean—yes. I mean—" I throw my hands up in surrender. "I woke up with you in my bed, okay? I’m a little… flustered.”
He smirks. "You bolted pretty fast."
I shrug, playing it off like I’m totally cool and collected. “I have a strong bladder.”
He chuckles, turning his attention back to the coffee. "You should work on your exit strategy. Maybe next time, don’t run like I’m chasing you."
“Next time?” I raise an eyebrow, trying not to think too much about the implications of that statement.
"Who knows," he says, smirk still in place as he pours another cup. He slides one across the counter to me. “Stranger things have happened.”
I take the mug, hoping the warmth of the coffee hides the flush creeping up my neck. "Yeah, like a big bad bodyguard who also dabbles in magic tricks."
He grins at that. "Hey, never underestimate the power of sleight of hand." He winks, and damn if my stomach doesn't do a little flip.
I take a sip, trying to distract myself. "Yeah, well, just don't pull any disappearing acts on me."
Chapter 8
Orion
Have I mentioned how cute Briar is? She’s the kind of cute that sneaks up on you and stays lodged in your mind, like a catchy tune you can't stop humming. She has this effortless way of making you smile—her whole vibe is like sunshine wrapped in a messy bow, and before you know it, your heart is pounding like you've just run a marathon. I try to play it cool, but there's no denying the effect she has on me.