Josie frantically pushed Oliver away, only to find him pressing in again. Her heart raced as his bare skin confronted her. Oliver's handsome visage caused a mix of panic and confusion.
"Josie, don't be scared. I won't hurt you," he assured, though his body betrayed him, stubbornly refusing to cooperate.
Blushing fiercely, Josie nudged him with her arm. "Get up, Oliver. If you don't, I swear I'll be mad."
Oliver promptly stood, not wanting to upset her. In that brief moment of eye contact, he moved from the bed to sit on the couch. "Sleep, Josie," he murmured.
Josie lay in bed, the covers up to her chin, while Oliver stretched out on the sofa, now in a T-shirt.
With the lights off and the room at a comfortable temperature, Josie listened to Oliver's steady breathing and finally felt at ease enough to drift off. But when Josie fell asleep, Oliver joined her in bed. It was large enough for the two of them, after all.
He snuggled close, enveloping her in his arms, and peacefully they slept.
...
Waking up the next morning, Josie was bewildered to find Oliver beside her. "How did you end up in my bed?" she asked, puzzled.
Opening his eyes, Oliver realized something important. He could only truly sleep when he was with Josie.
"I haven't slept this well in ages," he said, his dark eyes reflecting her flustered expression.
Oliver held her close, still half in a daze. "Let me sleep a little longer."
Josie gently pushed him away as the clock on the wall struck nine. If they slept any longer, they'd miss work.
She got out of bed just as a knock came at the door. "Josie, are you up? Feeling alright?" came Hattie's voice from the other side.
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