the kitchen. I wanted to check in on Steele quickly, then run back to my room to put some sweats on. I'd stolen one of Steele's shirts off his floor, but I preferred my own sweatpants so I wasn't hauling them back up off the floor every three steps.
Slipping back into his room, where I'd spent the day, I found him in the exact same position as I'd left him when I woke up, fast asleep and so peaceful. I should have left him and crept out again, but my stupid heart took control and I found myself sliding back under the covers with him.
The second I was horizontal, though, he roused enough to snare me in a tight bear hug. He grumbled unintelligible things as he buried his face in my hair, then huffed a sigh as he slipped back into sleep once more.
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Instead, I pressed a kiss to his bicep, the only part of him I could reach without wriggling free.
We lay like that for long enough that I drifted off lightly, but then anxiety and guilt about Bree started creeping in again, making my lids snap open. I needed to get up in case Dallas came over earlier than planned.
As carefully as I could, I lifted Steele's arm off me and wiggled out of his warm nest. He didn't stir as I made my way to the door, and I didn't make any more noises to wake him up.
Back in my own room, I found my bed rumpled and my bathroom still steamy from recent use. Archer must have slept in my bed rather than risk a bit of Jase’s jizz getting on his face. Snickering to myself, I hunted out my comfiest pair of sweatpants, then tucked my butterfly knife into the pocket. Archer had found it at the crash site and returned it to me while we were at the hospital. Call it paranoia or cautiousness, but I wasn't willing to be anywhere without my knife. The moment I put it in my pocket, it eased a small amount of my stress.
Music was booming from the gym as I made my way back downstairs, and I smiled when I heard Kody yelling at Archer over the thumping bass. Total fucking sadist.
The big, comfy couch in the den was calling my name, so I tucked in with blankets and pillows, creating a cozy nest before turning on Netflix. I was usually the first one to select action and adventure movies, but some part of me just badly craved sweet and normal.
Perfect. Utterly perfect. I hit play on The Kissing Booth.
I’d made it around halfway through the movie and was crazy into the angst between the adorable lead characters when Steele leaned over the back of the couch to kiss my hair.
"Hellcat," he murmured, still sounding half asleep. "You look way too cute there right now."
I tipped my head back to look up at him. "You wanna join me?"
Steele glanced at my choice of movie and wrinkled his nose. "Maybe another time. I'm going to go join the boys and work out a training plan for when you're back to top health again."
I shot him an understanding smile. "Your loss..."
He cupped my cheek gently and kissed me softly from upside down. Just like Spiderman. "I'll come back out when food arrives. What's on the menu tonight?"
"Chinese," I told him, already feeling hungry. "Don't worry, I'll over-order for you three."
He beamed. "You're the best."
I couldn't help watching him leave the room, his muscles shifting under tanned, tattooed skin. The huge battle angel in the middle of his back—the piece that represented Rachel—drew my eye like a magnet. The fact that my guys seemed to be allergic to shirts inside the house? Amazing. I never wanted that to change.
My phone buzzed with a message just as the closing credits on my movie started rolling, and I picked it up to see Dallas's name.
Dallas Moore: Katie, I'll be there in 5, okay?
It was sooner than I'd expected him, but that suited me fine. I was desperate to hear news on Bree and the baby. Fucking hell, Bree was pregnant. Did she even know, yet? She hadn't mentioned it to me, and Dallas had been totally blindsided.
Madison Kate: Cool, see you soon.
I climbed out of my blanket nest and made my way to the gym to let the guys know. One of them would need to tell the gate guard