Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,7
no one can get in? I’ll sleep better that way.”
She hated the idea of the door being locked at all. However, she understood his concern. “What if someone locks it from the outside again?”
“Either I’ll pick the lock or knock the door down.”
Smiling, Reid crawled under the covers, leaving her clothes on.
After snuffing out the candles, Dexter situated himself on the floor.
Since the bedchamber didn’t have a fireplace, the room’s temperature wasn’t all that comfortable. “Dexter?” Reid whispered.
“Yeah?”
“Umm…” She wasn’t sure how to say what she wanted to. “It is rather cold.”
“Yes, it is.” The floor creaked as Dexter tried to get comfortable.
Instead of tossing him a blanket, Reid scooted over. “Will you join me? I could use your body heat.” And she needed his strong presence beside her. The room was so dark she couldn’t even see her own hand in front of her face. And, if she were being completely honest, she wanted Dexter next to her.
“I’m not sure that’s a smart idea with your parents in the manor.” His voice sounded husky.
“I don’t care.”
The floor creaked again. There was a rustling sound. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
The bed dipped as Dexter climbed on it, sprawling next to her.
Reid rolled onto her side to face him, although she couldn’t see him in the darkness. “Are you on top of the covers?”
“I am.” He swallowed.
“You don’t want to get under them?”
He was quiet for a minute before answering. “It’s not that I don’t want to…”
“I’m fully clothed.” It wasn’t like she was wearing a thin nightdress. She even had on socks. “It’s freezing, and it’s only going to get colder.”
“If I get under these blankets, I can’t guarantee I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
The thought of him wanting her—of him even thinking about her that way—made Reid’s heart race. “The whole point of you being in bed with me is for us to stay warm. We’ve slept side by side before.” And they were getting married. What was the harm in sleeping in the same bed?
Dexter slid under the covers. His hand slowly inched over Reid’s torso, pulling her toward him. The last time she’d laid with him, she’d been facing away from him. Face to face was entirely different. She could feel his breath on her lips. It felt too intimate.
“This is definitely much warmer,” he murmured. “And more comfortable.”
She couldn’t form a coherent response, so she nodded. Which, of course, he couldn’t see.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
No, she was not okay. Her heart was beating too fast, her breathing too rapid, and now she was too hot. “Umm…”
“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” he whispered, sending a shiver down her spine.
“I’m going to face the other direction.” So she wouldn’t be tempted to do something stupid—like kiss him. She rolled over. His arm remained draped over her hip, his hand now on her stomach.
“Goodnight, Reid.” He kissed the back of her head. “Sweet dreams.”
Closing her eyes, she listened to Dexter’s breathing as it evened out. Before she knew it, she fell into a deep sleep.
Peeling her eyelids open, Reid blinked at the sunlight streaming in through the window.
Dexter laid on his side with his head propped on his hand. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
She rubbed her eyes, then stretched.
Dexter raised his eyebrows. “I think I could get used to this.”
“What?” she asked, sitting up.
Shaking his head, he slid out of bed. “Let’s go eat breakfast so we can leave.”
Reid liked the sound of that. After getting out of bed, she pulled on her boots while Dexter opened the door. Anna stood there with her arms crossed, her face expressionless.
“Morning,” Dexter said, blocking the doorway. “Is there something you need?”
“I want a moment alone with Reid.”
“Don’t we all?” Dexter murmured. “We were just heading downstairs for breakfast.”
“Excellent. You go to the dining room. I will escort Reid there in a few minutes.”
“Give me a moment.” He stepped back, closing the door in Anna’s face. “Do you want to talk to her?”
Reid wasn’t prepared to have any sort of in-depth conversation with her mother. Too much anger and hurt filled her to be able to speak calmly.
Dexter came over to Reid, placing his large hands on her shoulders. “How about she comes in here to talk to you while I remain outside in the hallway? If you need me, all you have to do is raise your voice and I’ll come in.”
While Reid appreciated the gesture, she didn’t want to rely on others. “You can go to breakfast.