I realized that I needed more than to just be in the same room with him. I had to see if that voice of mine was right.

“Noah.”

“Hmm?” He sounded like he was on the edge of sleep.

“Come here.”

I scooted over, pushing back the blanket. He turned his head toward me. “Are you sure?”

“Just to sleep,” I said. “You shouldn’t be on the floor.”

“Is that the only reason?”

I hesitated and felt the weight of the word I was about to say. “No.”

He got up, leaving his bedding behind. He paused next to the bed, staring down at me. He put his hand over his chest, and I didn’t recognize the emotion on his face, but he almost looked . . . pained. Maybe even a little overwhelmed. But his expression was gone before I could understand it. Then I felt the mattress sink under his weight as he climbed into bed next to me and the covers being lifted up as he pulled them over his body.

“Turn over,” he said in a voice that sounded rough with feeling, and I did, my heart pulsating in my throat. He pulled me against him and put one of his arms under my head, the other around my waist. His legs curved into mine. I put my arm on top of his, holding him the only way I could as he spooned me. His warmth surrounded me, and I sighed happily. We fit so well together.

He reached down and gently kissed my shoulder once before laying his head against the pillows.

His breath was warm against my neck, and I felt the tension leave his body as he drifted off to sleep. But he didn’t let go of me. Not even once sleep overtook him.

I smiled. I wasn’t the only person in this room who snored.

My eyelids started to feel heavy—cuddling like this with him was making me feel utterly relaxed. It was almost funny: a month ago the idea of this would have terrified me.

But now? This was where I always wanted to be.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

The next morning I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing repeatedly. I was facing Noah, our legs intertwined and our arms wrapped around each other. I carefully extricated myself as much as possible and then turned over to find my phone, which was only a few inches from my head. I turned it on, glancing at the battery indicator. It was almost dead, since I hadn’t charged it last night.

Then I looked at my messages. They were all from Shelby.

I texted her back as quickly as I could, although my eyes weren’t exactly cooperating. I felt like Noah had drugged me with his expert sleep-holding skills.

Her response was instant.

Then:

I smiled and texted: