Touch by Touch (Riggins Brothers #4) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,74
rock him a little.”
“Aw,” Aspen says.
“Call me in the morning if you want me to watch him.”
“Will do. Drive safe, oh, and, Aspen?”
“Yeah?”
“Keep his ass in line, will you?” Owen says before ending the call.
“I love your family,” Aspen comments.
“They love you too.” Reaching over, I take her hand in mine.
“I’m so tired, but it was worth it.” Glancing at the clock on the dash, it’s just after one in the morning.
“Me too, but you’re right, it was worth it.” The rest of the drive to my place is quiet, and I think she’s fallen asleep until I pull into the garage and she opens her door. Placing my hand on the small of her back, I lead her inside. “You hungry? Thirsty?” I ask her.
“Just sleep,” she says, covering a yawn.
“I’m glad we made the bed earlier,” I say, leading her down the hall to my room. It’s weird being here, in this new house. This isn’t how I thought this night would turn out, but I wouldn’t change it. Roan is here and healthy, Sawyer is doing great, and my big brother, well, he’s beside himself with love for his family. I’d say the night ended better than I could have imagined. I have a new nephew, and Aspen is here with me. I couldn’t ask for more.
In my room, she digs into the bag she packed and disappears into the bathroom without a word. A few minutes later, she’s opening the door in a pair of pajamas, and her hair is tied up on her head.
“Climb in bed. I’m going to change.” I kiss the corner of her mouth as we pass one another on my way to the bathroom. I rush through changing and brushing my teeth before turning off the light and blindly making my way to the bed. “Ouch,” I curse when I stub my toe on a box.
“You okay?” her sleepy voice asks.
“Sorry. Yeah, I need to unpack these boxes.”
“I told you so,” she says. I can hear the smirk in her voice.
Finally reaching the bed, I feel around and realize it’s the side of the bed that she chose. It will forever, from this point on, be her side of the bed. “I’m coming in,” I say, climbing over her and snuggling up to her back.
“Am I on your side?”
“No. I don’t have a side. I sleep alone. This is now your side of the bed.”
“You sure? I don’t mind moving.”
“You’re not moving. I finally got you where I want you.” I kiss her shoulder. “Night, babe.”
“Goodnight,” she whispers.
Within no time, we’re both sound asleep. How could I not be? She’s here in my arms, where she belongs.
Chapter 27
Aspen
Conrad’s thumb lazily strokes my belly. He thinks I’m asleep, and I would have been had it not been for his touch. The feel of his skin against mine is too real, and I knew it wasn’t a dream. No, this is the real thing. I’m here in his new house, in his bed, relishing his touch.
“Morning,” I say sleepily. I glance over my shoulder to find him watching me.
“I love that you’re here.”
“Me too,” I confess before tossing off the covers.
“Where are you going?”
“I have to pee.”
“You’re coming back to bed, right?”
“Do you want me to?” I ask, moving toward the bathroom door.
“If I had my way, you’d be living here, and I wouldn’t have to worry about you leaving me anytime soon.”
“Baby steps, Riggins,” I say, closing the bathroom door. Quickly, I take care of business and wash my hands and brush my teeth. As I brace my hands on the counter, I let his words filter through my mind. He wants me to live here. It’s crazy and too soon. However, if I’ve learned anything about Conrad these past six weeks, it’s that once he’s made up his mind, that’s it. He’s all in. What’s even crazier than him asking me to move in with him is that I want to. I want to be in his arms every night.
Opening the door, I find him leaning against the wall, his legs crossed at the ankles. “My turn, but I’m not done snuggling you.” He gives me a pointed look, which tells me I’m to get back in bed. He’s not going to get any complaints out of me. It’s still early, and snuggling with Conrad is something that I can easily become addicted to.
I’m barely back under the covers when Conrad climbs over the top of me and slides under the