Pull (Seaside #2)(45)

“Am I the dog?” Alyssa asked quietly.

Crap, probably a bad comparison. “You are like the dog, Lyss. You’ve been so scared for so long that even though there isn’t any danger anymore, you still pretend there is, so you refuse to leave the box and experience anything. What do you think happens to the dog when it can’t get its food and water?”

“It dies.”

“Your soul isn’t meant to be in constant pain, Lyss.” I rubbed her head again and sighed. “Your heart isn’t meant to stay in pieces, and you sure as hell aren’t meant to mourn your dead boyfriend for the rest of your days.” She was silent for a really long time. I kept wondering if I screwed up, if I possibly pushed her too far.

Her knees cracked as she got up and held out her hand to me. “Will you stay the night?”

Seriously? I tried to keep my face from looking too shocked.

Tried, and failed as I felt my smile widen. “Yeah, that would be nice, but what about your parents?”

Alyssa went to her door and locked it. “They’d probably be so excited I was socializing with someone my own age that they’d feed you breakfast. But I’ll lock this just in case.”

I followed her to the bed and helped toss the pillows off.

Honestly, and I’d never admit this out loud, I was so freaking exhausted that I wasn’t really thinking about sex. I just wanted to hold her. I sighed. If Alec could see me now.

She turned off the lights and joined me in bed, tucking her head right underneath my chin. “Thanks, Demetri.”

“For what?” I wrapped my arm around her and closed my eyes.

“For saying no.”





Chapter Twenty-one


Alyssa


I woke up relaxed. I yawned and then stretched my arms above my head, accidently hitting something warm next to me.

“Thanks.” Demetri’s voice was deep and sexy with sleep. “I love getting hit in my sleep.”

I laughed groggily and nestled back into his arms, resting my head against his massive shoulder. “What time is it?”

“Time for more sleep,” he grumbled and then pulled me into his body so we fit perfectly together. His lips found my neck and soon I forgot all about sleep, all about anything except for the way he made me feel. Safe and loved.

“This your idea of sleep?” I moaned as his hands dipped beneath my shirt.

“Absolutely,” Demetri said between kisses. “The way I see it.” His teeth tugged at my ear. “Is if I say I’m sleeping right now, then I won’t get in trouble for doing this…” His hands cupped my butt, rocking me closer to him. Warmth spread through my body and then a knock came at the door.

“Shit.” Demetri sighed. “Sleep was just starting to get good.”

“Alyssa!” My dad shouted. “It’s time for work and you have group therapy tonight! Get up!”

Demetri laughed and tossed a pillow in my direction mimicking my dad’s words. Then he winked. “Your group leader says stay in bed. Don’t make me punish you.”

I blushed and shook my head at him before laughing.

“Alyssa? Is someone in there with you?”

Demetri looked at the door and froze. “Crap, is this the part where they break down the door and your dad chases me while I run down the street with no pants on?”

“Probably.” I shrugged happily.

“Cool. On that note…” He jumped out of bed giving me full view of his perfectly sculpted body. Damn his abs. With a seductive wink, one that made my insides turn to mush, he threw on his shirt and proceeded to shimmy — his words not mine — out the window and down to the ground.

“You sure that’s safe?” I whispered out to him.

“Nope.” Demetri laughed. “It’s an adventure. I’m an adventurous guy, just ask…” Lots of cursing followed as he slid, or technically fell, the last five feet to the ground.

I had unlocked my bedroom door when I’d got up to go to the restroom last night, which my dad just discovered as he pushed his way into my room and looked around suspiciously. Geez, you’d think he’d be encouraging me to socialize. Then again, having a guy in my bed probably wasn’t his idea of socializing — though it very well might be my new favorite thing.

I blushed as my dad’s eyes scanned the bed; the duvet was pushed away and fell onto the floor in a pool, and both pillows looked used. I blinked at him and waited for him to begin asking questions. Instead, he rubbed his head, saying something under his breath and then walked out of the room.

I exhaled in relief and texted Demetri.

COAST IS CLR.

He texted me back.

COME OUTSDE.

I threw on a long sleeve Henley over my tank top and ran down the stairs to find Demetri standing at my door.

“What are you doing?” My eyes scanned his bed hair and cocky grin as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and lifted his shoulders.

“I forgot something.”

I examined him further. He was wearing all his clothes.

“Not clothes,” he answered, reading my mind.

I squinted against the sun and lifted my hand to my forehead so I could see him clearly.”Okay, it’s too early to argue.

What did you lose and how can I help you find it?”