comfortable, but fuck it. I’ve slept on much worse in my life. Grabbing the remote for the TV, I turn it on, keeping the volume low, as I settle back on the cushions. It’s quiet back toward the bedroom. With how tired Olivia looked, I’m sure once she crawled into bed, she conked out.
A while later, I’m scrolling through my phone, when I hear the creak of a door and soft footfalls. I’m not surprised when I hear Olivia’s soft voice, as she hovers on the other side of the couch.
“Mind if I sit? Can’t sleep.”
Pushing upright, I make room for her on the couch next to me. She takes the opposite side, keeping a safe distance. Olivia keeps her gaze glued to the television, on the sports highlights that I know she cannot be interested in. She seems uncomfortable sitting here next to me. Her shoulders are stiff, and she keeps fidgeting ever so slightly.
Blowing out a sigh, I shift toward her. “Problem?”
“Hmm?” She turns to me, brows raised. “Nope. No problem. Just couldn’t sleep. I hope I’m not bothering you.”
“It’s fine—”
“You know what? This was dumb. I’m going to leave you to your own devices and head back to bed.”
She starts getting up from the couch, but I halt her with a hand on her arm. She freezes, her eyes growing round, as she glances down at my hand on her bare skin. An awareness of sorts sparks through the air, crackling in the space between us with tension. Slowly, I let go of her, watching, as her slender throat works a swallow. Olivia drops back down onto the couch, and we sit in a semi-awkward silence, until she breaks it.
“How are things going with your little brother?”
“My probation is over in a month. The social worker has offered to give me another chance. I just have to keep doing what I’m doing until then, then I’ll have Ryder back here. Hopefully.”
“How is that going to work exactly?” My brows dip into a frown at her question. She must notice, because she shifts, angling her body toward mine, giving me her full attention. “Well, I just mean, you work a full-time job. I’m sure your little brother, Ryder, is going to need someone to pick him up and take him to school.”
“I’ve already discussed it with my boss. He’s willing to work with me. He’ll let me come in after I get Ryder to school and leave when I need to pick him up from school.”
Olivia smiles, and I feel the effect of it hit me square in the chest. “That’s good. I’m happy for you. And you know, if you ever need anything from me, I’m glad to help.”
Uncomfortable with her praise and generosity, I flip through the channels, looking for something both of us can watch, while keeping my mouth shut.
“Oh, this! I love this movie.”
I refrain from rolling my eyes, but I still stop on The Notebook for her. We watch the movie in silence. Me, completely bored out of my mind, and her, glued to the television. She still keeps fidgeting, though.
“You doing all right? After everything that happened?”
She shrugs. “I think so. I’m a little shaken up, worried about the window and the person who got away. What am I going to do if they try to come back? I live alone, Rome. I don’t have anything or anyone to protect me. I mean, I would consider getting a gun, but can you just imagine me with that thing? I’d shoot my own face off.”
A spark ignites in my chest. “No one is going to come back and hurt you, Olivia.”
“You don’t know that,” she whispers, fear bleeding through her tone.
“I do. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Olivia gasps, her gaze swinging to mine. I feel the depth of her stare, the bright multitude of colors swirling there, along with emotions I can’t pin down to just one. I have to fight the sudden urge to reach for her and slam my mouth over hers. I drop my gaze down to her pink bee-stung lips. Lips I’ve tasted before and haven’t been able to erase from my mind since then.
She tasted like everything I’ve ever wanted, and everything I’ll never be able to have.
Olivia licks her lips, and my abs clench, my body tightening with need. It’s a driving force, percolating in the air around us. She clears her throat, glancing down at her lap, severing the connection.
“You make it seem like you’re