Chapter 57: Nightmare
As if Justin’s gentle words reached her sleepy mind, Natalie relaxed, her grip loosening. He carefully lifted her in his arms, repositioning her along the bed. As he adjusted the pillow under her head, her defenses fully melted away, her furrowed brows relaxing.
Without realizing it, she nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck, her hands instinctively reaching out to hold him, seeking comfort in his presence and scent.
Justin’s body tensed, his breath hitching as he looked down at her. Seeing her so comfortably sleeping, he didn’t want to move away and enjoy that unexpected closeness with her, but...
’She’s unaware of what she’s doing, but I’m wide awake,’ he reminded himself.
Gently, he released her hands from around him and settled her comfortably in the bed. Relieved that her sleep was not disturbed, he moved away and pulled the blanket over her. He moved the other side of the bed to sleep and slid under the same blanket as her, enough to cover them both despite having left a huge space between them.
Justin turned off the lights, leaving only the soft glow of the night lamp illuminating the room. Lying there, he stared up at the ceiling, feeling something strange and new.
It was the first time he had ever shared a bed with someone. He had no such memory with his father or grandmother or even friends. The experience was surprisingly comfortable and there was no sense of loneliness—something he had never realized he felt until now.
He turned to look at Natalie. In the dim light, Natalie’s face appeared serene, even more beautiful in her sleep, urging him to close that gap between them and hold her in his arms, leaving his mind to wonder how good it would feel to fall asleep while holding her soft and delicate body so close.
But as usual those would only remain his thoughts. Looking at her, he whispered softly, "Good Night, Natalie."