The Alpha and the Mistake novel Chapter 22

Ryder had put in another movie, but I was falling asleep about halfway through. I woke when I'd rolled on my bad shoulder and hissed with the stinging pain. "You okay?" Ryder asked. "Want me to get a pillow or something to support your shoulder."

"No, I'm fine. I should probably go back to my room and go to bed." As me being half asleep wasn't proof enough, I yawned loudly.

Ryder grinned but held me to him when I tried to get up. "We could just lay here for a while. I like this, and the couch is big enough."

"But I'm falling asleep."

He shrugged. "Yeah, me too, but I don't want you to leave."

I started to laugh, despite the fact I kind of didn't want to leave either. "Werewolves are so weird."

Ryder grinned again. "So is that a yes? Will you stay with me? It doesn't have to be here, we could go to your room or mine."

That sounded a little too... "Uh..."

"I'm talking about going to sleep, nothing more. Only doing it together."

"Sure, I bet that's what you say to all the girls," I told him, sitting up.

Ryder actually snorted. "They wish."

I glanced over my shoulder at him and narrowed my eyes. "Oh really?"

"Yep, but this offer is for one girl only - you."

It was stupid, but it was flattering. I returned Ryder's smile. "Okay." Why not? YOLO, and all that right?

"Okay? Really?"

"Yeah, but let's go. I'm tired, and my head is starting to hurt."

Ryder practically jumped off the couch to take my hand and helped me up. He laced his fingers with mine as we walked down the hall.

My nerves grew as we walked into his room. What was I thinking? I was going to sleep in Ryder's bed while he's sleeping too...at the same time? Ryder sat on the bed, taking off only his shoes before pulling back the covers and lying down. I blew out a breath as I did the same. Only I was on the very edge of the bed.

Ryder snaked an arm around my waist and pulled me to him until my back was against his chest. "Just sleeping, that's all," he said, sounding tired. "Do you want me to leave the lamp on or are you good with the dark?"

"Seriously, what am I, six?"

He grinned. "Hey, don't be hating. There is a lot of people afraid of the dark and are older than six."

"Sounds like you're talking from personal experience to me?"

"Maybe."

I looked at him over my shoulder. "Really?"

"You're not going to make fun of me are you?"

"No, of course not."

Ryder hesitated. "I was afraid of the dark until I was fourteen. It's true." I gave him a dubious look. "Why would I dare make up something like that? My rep would be ruined if it got out. I hadn't shifted yet, so my night vision sucked. I always had this paranoid fear of someone being in my room without me knowing. Dean knew about it and would always psych me out before we had to go to bed."

I smiled despite my best attempts not too. I couldn't help it.

"You said you wouldn't laugh."

"I'm not."

"You're smiling, that's like silent laughter."