Revive Me by Charity Ferrell Page A

closing the conversation.
    “Goodnight.” I moved closer to her, making a bold move, and wrapped my arms around her waist. “I’m never going to stop keeping you safe,” I whispered into her ear, pulling her close. She didn’t say anything, just snuggled into me, and tucked her body into mine. It took me hours to fall asleep. I had the girl I’d loved for years trusting me to hold her in my arms and keep her safe like I was her protector. But how was I supposed to protect her without loving her?

    I woke up with my arm still winded around Tessa’s sleeping body, and her ass pressed against my fully alert cock. Well shit. I tried to push her forward gently without waking her up, but she mumbled something and pressed into me harder. Taking a deep breath, I did my best to slide out of the sheets and did a tuck-and-roll out of the bed. I silently cursed when a big thud shuddered from my body smacking the floor.
    She rolled over and looked at me. “Did you just fall out of bed?” she asked, rubbing her barely open eyes, and yawning.
    “Yep,” I said, not wanting her to know I threw myself out before I acted on my sordid thoughts. “Your bed is a little small for the both of us. You practically pushed me off.”
    “It’s a full-size bed. I’ve never had any problems.”
    “You’ve also never had a guy in your bed,” I said, waiting to see if she’d tell me any differently, but she just stared. “I’ve got to head out,” I told her, walking sideways to the bathroom so she wouldn’t notice my hard on, and grabbing my shorts from the bathroom. I slipped them on and looked at her from the corner. I was sure I was going to be a sight to see leaving her house this early with no shirt and sporting serious bed head.
    She nodded. “Thank you.”
    “You don’t have to thank me for watching out for you.” I blinked, looking at her. She looked breathtaking in the morning. Her fair skin was flawless against the light peeking through the blinds as she looked up at me with still-sleepy eyes. Her lips were slightly open and full. Her in the morning was my favorite view. Whenever I’d stay over, I’d always make sure I was awake when she’d come downstairs and start making breakfast for everybody. She’d throw on an old t-shirt, usually one of mine, and wear her tiny pajama shorts as she danced around the kitchen while flipping pancakes. “I’ll always be here. Remember that.”
    I walked to her, pressed a kiss on the top of her head, and tucked the blankets tightly around her body. “Now go back to sleep. It’s early.”
    She nodded, leaned over, and grabbed a black facemask from the drawer next to her that said, I need my beauty sleep, across it. “Very attractive,” I laughed, watching her slide it over her head and situate the strings carefully behind her ears. “I’ll call you later to check up on you,” I said, walking out of the room. I let out a gasp of air as I tiptoed past her parent’s closed door, and down the stairs.
    “Late night?” a voice asked when I hit the bottom stair, and I jumped. I glanced up to find Derrick turned backwards on the couch looking at me. Well, fuck. I didn’t know which one was worse … Derrick or his parents.
    “It’s not what it looks like,” I immediately rushed out. What the hell was he even doing up this early? Weren’t middle school kids supposed to sleep in?
    He shrugged his shoulders, a giant smile spreading across his face. “Right,” he drew. “But it’s cool. I’d rather her be hooking up with you than anyone else. You pass the brother stamp of approval.” At least I got one that from one brother.
    “We aren’t hooking up,” I clarified. The last thing I needed was for him to say that to Tessa.
    “Right, I’ll act like I believe your story.”
    I narrowed my eyes at him. “Just don’t say anything to anyone about seeing me, okay?”
    He saluted me. “Gotcha. Are we still hanging out today?”
    “You know it.” I was tired as hell, but