Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (reading tree txt) 📕

tired. It’s stupid, really. I thought I could sleep up here. How pathetic is that? As if I would be able to sleep up here. I can’t even sleep on my own.”

“It’s not pathetic at all. You should be able to do that if you want to.” He’s still holding my hand, his thumb rubbing over the back. It’s so familiar. So right, but I can’t let it be.

“And yet, I can’t,” I whisper.

“I’ll stay up here with you. I can sleep right here on the floor.” He points to the floor at our feet with his free hand. My eyes follow, looking to the dirty grey carpet and cringe.

“The carpet is filthy.”

“I’ll use blankets, don’t worry. And it’s not that bad.” He grins.

“It’s bad enough.” When did my carpet get so dirty? It has been a long time since I’ve really paid much attention to my room. Probably ever since Mike moved in.

“Lex.” Ayden squeezes my hand, and I glance back up to meet his hypnotising eyes. “I’m not leaving you. I’m staying so you can try to get some sleep.”

I don’t get a chance to respond when we’re interrupted by what one could only assume is a herd of elephants stampeding up the stairs. Moments later, Marcus, Jared, Shaun, Simon, and Garrett are bumping shoulders as they try to squeeze through the doorway into my bedroom.

Having them all in here is weird.

“House is clear. No sign of anyone breaking in.” Marcus sounds puffed. I bet they raced up here trying to beat each other. Adorable idiots!

“The back shed was unlocked, though. No sign of the door which means whoever did this took it with them.” Jared adds.

“What do you want to do, Lex? Stay here or go somewhere else?” Garrett asks, and all eyes turn to me.

“Lex?” Ayden urges when I don’t respond.

“Stay here. If you guys are here with me, then I’m safe. Safety in numbers. Isn’t that the saying?”

“Yep.” Simon nods, “where you go, we go. Which is why I’m pissed at you!”

“What? Why?” I frown.

“You had totally planned to ditch us tonight. You were going to sneak off to go god knows where with a chick we don’t even know. I mean, she’s fucking wicked, don’t get me wrong, but still, we don’t know if she can or will protect you like we will!”

Shit. Simon is genuinely pissed at me. I’m lost for words. His face, typically wearing a clown grin, is screwed up in anger.

No one speaks, and all eyes remain on me. I guess they all feel the way Simon does.

Well shit! How do I talk my way out of this? And do I want to?

“Sorry,” I whisper, casting my eyes to the floor.

“Is that all you have to say? No excuse or explanation?” Simon scolds, and I cringe, shaking my head, keeping my eyes cast low.

“How about you back off Hastings? You don’t know the full story.” Ayden snaps.

“It’s okay, Ayden.” I stand, deciding not to cower anymore. Simon is right. I should never have thought about sneaking off and putting myself in danger, especially since I’m fairly sure that Mike is still around. “Simon is right. I should have told you all what my plans were. That was stupid.”

Simon grins, “Yes, it was. Don’t do stupid stuff again. That’s my job.”

Chuckles sound out from all of the guys, even Ayden, and Simon steps forward and pulls me to his chest.

“Also, FYI, Lexi. We like parties. You could have invited us too.” Simon pouts, and I pull back and mouth another sorry.

“Right well, I’ll double-check all the doors and windows again, and we should all get some sleep.” Jared declares, effectively ending the conversation.

Each of my pack gives me a grin or a friendly shoulder bump as they file out of my bedroom, leaving me alone with Ayden again.

He doesn’t speak but pulls some blankets out from my wardrobe and makes his bed on the floor.

“Ayden, stop.”

He freezes mid blanket placement, peering up at me.

“If I ask you to sleep in my bed, are you going to think more of it than two friends sleeping side by side?” I want it to mean more, I really do, but I know it can’t.

Ayden stands, dropping the blanket from his grip and rakes his hand through his thick dark hair. God, I miss running my own fingers through that hair!

“I’m always going to think more of things between us, Lex, but that doesn’t mean I can’t hold my restraint and be the friend you need right now.” Honest words match his sincere blue eyes as they seize me in place, unable to move. His candour is confronting yet refreshing.

“I don’t deserve you.” The whisper slips past my lips and floats across the small space to meet his ears.

Ayden’s eyes warm, his right dimple making an appearance as the corner of his mouth heads north. “You’re wrong. It’s me that doesn’t deserve you.”

I can see that no one will win this argument, and I can’t hold back my grin in return.

“Get in the bed. No touching!”

“What? No, spooning?” He’s so smug right now.

I’d slap it off his face if I could be sure I wouldn’t melt the moment our skin makes contact.

“Definitely no spooning.” I ignore his pout and move to the other side of the bed, taking out a hoodie from my draws.

“You want mine?” Ayden asks, hopeful, but I don’t turn to look at him. I shake my head and slip the hoodie over my head. If I wear his hoodie, I’ll be powerless to stop myself from giving in to him.

Keeping my arms inside the hoodie, I slip my red boob tube and strapless bra off before sliding my arms in place and turning.

Ayden eyes me as I shimmy my jeans down my legs needing to be free of the tight fabric. I don’t say anything because I don’t trust myself not to say something that will make him step over the line between friends and, well… more.

Before he can get any