Prey

Chapter 65

Doe's POV:

Xander threw back the blankets after we rounded our way over to his side of the bed.

After getting them to his liking, and tossing that pillow he liked to hug out of the way, he stepped back.

"Do you wanna get in first or..." his sentence faded into nothing.

At the moment I loathed his ability to see well in the dark so I could get a better read on as to why he spoke like that.

He seemed... tense.

So, I just agreed with a nod, stepping forward to hoist myself up onto this awkwardly tall bed.

I scooched myself over to the middle, my limbs sinking comfortably into the mattress with each movement.

Which took no time at all in making the memory of how quickly I fell asleep the one time I allowed myself to sleep here return.

I sat in front of the pillows once I had reached my destination, watching as he got in after me.

Or I guess, just watching the slight silhouette I could make out, and the glow of his eyes.

I didn't quite know what I was supposed to be doing, so I was just hoping I'd pick up the context clues as they came.

He got into the part of the bed he usually kept to, lowering his head onto the pillow and lying straight on his back.

The glow focused on me, the arm closest to me outstretching in invitation while he laid on the other one to prop his head up.

My brows rose, the positioning of how this was going to work finally clicking.

Oh... I see.

I maneuvered myself closer, trying to ignore the peculiar reaction that realization had in my chest.

"So I just," I pointed, the edge of my finger poking the center of his chest, "Here?"

"Mhm," he replied with a nod.

Just in that response alone, I heard less of that tension and more amusement.

Well... okay.

I continued my movement, closing the space between us.

Yet once it came down to me having to lower myself, I was caught.

There was a hesitation in me, but not in the same way that there usually was when it came to people touching me.

This one wasn't born out of fear, and I was finding it annoying in a different way.

Despite what it was or where it came from, it was being a hindrance that I wasn't appreciating.

My annoyance got cut short the second I felt gentle fingertips press against my lower back.

I somehow managed to catch my startled gasp, my focus being pulled back to him.

Right...

That hesitation vanished as the touch snapped me out of my head, allowing me to finish the movement that I had started.

There was a light pressure from the hand on my back as if guiding me into the position I needed to be in.

I let it, which left me laying partially on my side with my head on his chest, nestled under his chin.

My arm laid on top of him with me, shifting a bit to find a comfortable position.

After a few seconds, I ended up with my hand up near his shoulder fingers curling with it and brushing against his hair.