I felt heat drop to my breasts, my nipples tightened, and I looked down, realizing the damn things were free, the tank top had turned sideways and somehow my bra had disappeared. I turned away from him quickly and grabbed the blanket I’d been given, covering myself with it before he noticed.

"Yeah, fine."

When I turned back to look at him I realized by the little look of surprise in his eyes that he’d seen. He looked away and heard him lick his lips.

"You were so tired I just put you on the couch. There is another bed if you’d like more room. It’s full of clothes and shit but I’ll put them somewhere else. I don't want you falling off the couch again."

“Okay,” I got up and grabbed my bra from the back of the couch and then looked at him, waiting for him to lead the way. "Sorry I fell asleep on you."

"It's alright, Elly. Kind of reminds me of old times when you'd nod off at the computer." He winked as he turned around and took me to the guest room. He opened the door for me and scooped a pile of clothes off the bed. He put them on a chair in the corner of the room and then stepped back. “Want me to tuck you in, sleepy head?" Kent chuckled.

"Yeah, I do." I swept past him and crawled into the bed, flirting with him in my still sleep-laden state. I was being a smart ass and didn't expect him to follow through. Not the way I’d alluded to, anyway. He'd pull the covers up and kiss my forehead, of that I was sure.

And he did. He sat down on the bed next to me and pulled the covers up. But instead of my forehead he leaned down and kissed my cheek just a few inches from my lips. For a moment he seemed to hesitate. Or maybe it was just my imagination.

My stomach clenched at the intimacy. The near intimacy. "Why did you do that?" I whispered, staying deathly still under the covers, my words gushing out. The darkness of the room making me feel braver than I was.

Kent grabbed the blanket that had fallen onto the floor and re-wrapped around his waist as he pulled a breath in and let it out slowly. "I… I don't know, Elly. I, uh… I'm going to go back to bed. If you need something just call…"

I sat up and grabbed for the top of the blanket at his waist, pulling him forward towards me in the darkness. I knew that this would be the only time I’d get this chance, the chance to feel his warmth in the bed behind me. I could close my eyes and pretend that he was mine.