You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(13)

“I guess you have a point.” She handed the phone back to me.

I stuffed it into my pocket then turned back to the screen. The credits were rolling. “I guess it’s over. Want to watch another one or should I take you home?”

“Next one, please.”

“Cool.” I put the movie in then returned to the couch.

It was difficult to pay attention when she was so close to me. If I reached out my arm, I could touch her. Instead of watching the screen, I tried to watch her in my peripheral vision. She looked so cute snuggled under my childhood blanket while she lay on the couch.

When the movie was halfway over, I heard a quiet sigh escape her lips. I looked over and saw her eyes closed and her chest rise and fall at a steady rate. She was out.

I let the movie finish before I turned off the TV.

What do I do now? Do I wake her up and take her home? Do I leave her there?

She would get a kink in her neck if she stayed there all night, so I picked her up and carried her into my bedroom. I’d never wrapped my arms around her so I didn’t realize how petite she was. She was lighter than air. Her soft locks moved past my arm, making me tingle.

I lay her on my bed and she stirred slightly, getting comfortable even though she was still asleep. She turned on her side and pulled the blanket further up her shoulder. I sat at the edge of the bed and just stared at her.

I studied the curve of her lips. They were shaped like a bow. They were full and red, alluring. Her high cheekbones led to gorgeous eyes, which I couldn’t see because they were closed. I watched her sleep, noting the steady rise and fall of her chest. She looked so small on my bed. I was twice her size and easily a foot taller than her, and seeing her in a place I slept every night made me realize our size differences. A brown strand came loose from behind her ear and fell across her cheek. Without thinking, I tucked it back. “Good night, Beatrice.”

I went back into the living room then took her place on the couch. It wasn’t nearly as comfortable as my bed but it would have to do for the night. I’d rather be in there with her, but I had a feeling it would make her uncomfortable.

I tried to get some sleep but I couldn’t. All I could think about was the weird knot in my chest, the pain that was inexplicable. I felt something. It was like a burn, slow and steady. It thudded constantly, and every breath I took reminded me more of it.

***

When my eyes fluttered open, a face formed in my vision. Beatrice was looking down at me, still as beautiful as the evening before.

“I’m so sorry I fell asleep,” she whispered.

I took a deep breath and stretched, still waking up. “It’s okay.” My voice was coarse and raspy. “Not a big deal. It’s a slap in the face to George Lucas though.”

She chuckled lightly. “Since I’ve seen those movies at least a hundred times, I think he’ll let my transgression go.”

“Let’s hope so.” I yawned then ran my fingers through my hair. “What time is it?”

“Seven.”

“I’ve got to get up and head to class,” I said miserably. I preferred going back to sleep and passing the day in laziness but I knew I couldn’t.

“Me too.”

I sat up then felt my head spin slightly. When it subsided, I stood. “Do you need to leave now or can I shower?”

“No, I can wait.”

“Okay. Help yourself to whatever you want in the kitchen.”

“Okay.”

I showered then stepped out with a towel around my waist. I heard Beatrice moving in the kitchen. “Do you have sugar for your coffee?” she called out.

“Top shelf in the cabinet,” I said back.

“I can’t reach it. Can you help me?”

I walked into the kitchen, not thinking about what I was wearing. “Sure.”

When she saw me, her eyes widened. Automatically, she stared at my wide chest and tight stomach. She didn’t move or flinch. Her eyes were honed in. Then she got red in the face and turned around, fidgeting with the coffee grounds.

I was used to doing whatever I wanted in my apartment and didn’t think about how inappropriately I was dressed. Oh well, it was too late now. I grabbed the sugar then placed it next to her on the counter. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

She didn’t look at me, her gaze downcast. “Okay.”

I headed back into my room and changed. When I thought about her reaction to me, I smiled. She was definitely attracted to me. I was used to the gawks and stares from women on a daily basis, but seeing the same look on her face was priceless. I wondered if she was just as affected by me as I was by her. Now I had my answer. But I guess it didn’t matter since she was emotionally unavailable. The thought made me feel hopeless all over again.

I grabbed my backpack then walked back into the kitchen. “I’m ready.”

“I made coffee,” she said. “I would have made breakfast but you only have butter and cheese in your refrigerator.”

I chuckled. “I eat out a lot.”

“No way,” she said sarcastically.

We headed to my truck then I drove back to her place. I turned on the radio but kept it low. I was still slightly asleep. I glanced at her every few minutes, surprised that she still looked perfect after a night of rest. Her face was free of make up but her eyes were still bright. Her clothes were slightly wrinkled but that was the only indication that she had woken up and rolled out of bed.