Big Bad Alphas novel Chapter 8

I lay in bed and stare up at the ceiling, still feeling the trace of his kiss on my skin. After our short moment in the kitchen we headed upstairs and I convinced him to let me sleep in one of the guest rooms, knowing that if I was in a bed smothered in his scent I would not be able to sleep. Though I am cozy under the covers my eyes will not shut. It is simple; I cannot fall asleep. Over the hours I have sifted through different causes: I'm still hungry, I don't feel good, I miss Kendra, I'm worried about my pack, I'm nervous about meeting Eric's Dad, and even that Olivia's acts have me worried.

I have tried it all: pacing my breaths, counting sheep, taking deep breaths, progressive muscle relaxation, visualizing a peaceful place, yet no matter what I do one factor stays glued in my mind; the fact that my mate is sleeping in the bedroom beside me and I cannot get to him. Obviously, I can physically walk over to him, but that is not the issue. I cannot simply barge in while he's sleeping and expect him to solve my problem. There's always the solution of sleeping in the same bed, together, but there is no way that is happening. Sure he has kissed my face, but sleeping in the same bed is on an entirely different level.

Rolling over, I groan for the thousandth time. All I can picture is his big arms holding me close, protecting me. Imagining the warm, intimate sensation of his breaths fanning the back of my neck make we want to scream. I want his touch and I want it now. Groaning again I shove my pillow in my face, hiding my intense blush from the world.

I didn't think about these things before— before him.

A part of me hopes he is struggling too, even though that is terribly selfish and egotistical of me. Yet, this part of me wants his thoughts to only be about me during times like these.

Kicking the covers off my hot body, I become frustrated. I just want to sleep.

Without him, sleep is becoming a chore.

Getting up, I roll out of bed and wonder over to the closest window. The moon still shines bright, yet every time I check it sinks lower and lower in the sky.

"Isabella."

My heart jumps and I shoot around to see Eric standing in the doorway. I place my hand on my chest while taking deep breaths. "You scared me."

"I came to check on you," he says and I glance at the clock resting on the bedside table.

"At three in the morning?" The moonlight pours through the window and drips down his face, making him look like some sort of angel.

He crosses his arms. "You're still up."

"I can't sleep."

"I know, I can hear you rolling around and groaning," he says and my face heats up. "Nothing has to happen, but you can come with me."

Immediately I protest, "I can't, it's too... It's too early to be doing stuff like that. We just met yesterday and sleeping in the same bed is so intimate."

"It doesn't have to be."