âShall we sleep?â Landon blurted it out without much thought, but he instantly regretted it.
He sounded like a pervert whose only thought was to get it on. That wasnât what he had intended.
âIâm not sleepy,â Lauren finally said softly.
âI just wanted some quiet tim âOh. Iâll keep you company,â he offered, gently caressing her nape.
âI wonât sleep if youâre awake. If you find me bothersome, Iâll sit beside you quietly. Youâll need someone to get you drinks and food when youâre thirsty or hungry, isnât that right?â
âWhat if I stay up all night?â
âIâll stay up with you.â
âAlright then. Go ahead and sleep,â she softly urged him, still not looking up Feeling dejected, he sighed heavily and said, âIf youâd rather I leave, I will.â With that, he made a move to get up.
Lauren suddenly grabbed his arm and held it tightly as her breathing quickened.
âLauren?â He was taken aback.
âPlease donât go, Landon! Donât leave!â she pleaded, looking up with trembling lips and tear-streaked cheeks.
She admitted, âI lied to you. I was wrong. I want you to stay. Landon, I want you by my side!â
Feeling touched, he wiped away her tears and assured her, âIâm not leaving. I never intended to. I was just teasing you.â
Lauren knelt on the bed and stared at him through tears like a pitiful kitten. She said, âLandon, hold me.
Tears brimmed in his eyes. He pulled her into his embrace, his heart bursting with affection. âHereâs a hug.
âTighter.â
âMmhm.â He rested his chin against her neck, and his lips brushed against her reddened earlobes.
âEven tighter.â
âOf course.â Once again, he held her close and patted her trembling back. He whispered, âI wish I could be even closer to you, Lauren.â
hugged each other longingly in the soft light. After some time, Lauren began to feel drowsy.
bin Landon joined her in bed, and they lay there together like a newlywed couple.
She rested her head against his arm and buried her head in his chest, where she sniffled a little before closing her eyes.
âLauren, can I ask you a question?â Landon held her shoulders and gently caressed her arms.
âUm, sure.â
âDo you have feelings for me?â Landon asked, his heart pounding.