Page 143 of For Your Consideration

“Thank you,” she mumbled. Her sleepy voice meant it was time to get her to bed.

I stepped out first, grabbing one of my fluffy towels. I held it out for her as she stepped into me. I wrapped her up then pressed another kiss to her shoulder. “Want me to blow dry your hair?”

She looked at me over her shoulder with a smirk. “Do you know how to do that?”

I just blinked at her. I had no idea. But I would figure it out if she wanted me to.

“I just want to crawl into bed. I’m exhausted.”

“I laid out clothes for you. They’re on the bed.”

She smiled as she slipped out and I went to get myself dressed. By the time I came out, Sutton was in bed, her eyes closed with the baby monitor on the nightstand beside her, facing me. I grabbed the towel she’d dropped and put it away.

“Sutton?” I asked as I came back into the room.

“Mhhm?”

“Can I go get Sophie to sleep in here with us tonight? I can grab the fold up crib from downstairs.”

Her eyes popped open and she propped her head up. “You want her to sleep in here?”

“If that’s okay? I just want you both with me.”

I thought it would be good for both of us.

“It’s okay,” she said after a moment. I didn’t wait to see if she’d change her mind.

I moved the folding crib upstairs next to me, slipped into Sophie’s room, picking her up as gently as possible. Her eyes fluttered open but then closed again as she sighed. I held her in bed for a while until Sutton was asleep before I transferred her to the crib.

Lying back down and letting out a contented sigh, I finally relaxed. I felt better with both girls safe with me.

42

Sutton

Itilted my head to the side and yawned, blinking away sleep. Sophie was sleeping between Asher and me. He had one hand resting on her stomach like he was keeping her in place and the other underneath my pillow.

Yesterday had been a lot.

I was hardly functioning when Jaxson appeared out of nowhere and took control so I could panic in peace. All that was whirling through my head was that I wasn’t sure what Ben would have done if that man in the parking lot hadn’t come up. How there was a part of me that was relieved, because what kind of judge would give a man like that custody?

But it had all been a little easier with Asher by my side.

When I looked over at him, his dark eyes were locked on mine, watching me closely. He’d clearly been awake for a while.

“Morning,” I said, my voice soft. “What time is it?” It looked like it was still dark outside.

“Early. How are you feeling?”

“I’m feeling angry and I’m not sure how to process it all, but I slept better than I expected. I know I’m safe with you next to me.”

Instead of relief, his eyes darkened. Not what I wanted.

“That’s your mind. Your body?”

I shifted to test it out. My shoulders and back were stiff and I felt a little bruised. “Could be worse.”

That wasn’t the answer he wanted since he let out a deep sigh, gently untangled himself from Sophie and me, and then got up, heading to the bathroom.