20. Gianna

As the door clicked shut, I gripped the red fabric to my chest. I wasn't super comfortable walking around naked, but I hadn't wanted to pause to put on my dress. Besides, all I had to do was cross the hall. Walking out might not have been the right choice, but I didn't want it to be weird when he came back. Flings meant leaving. But I was terrible at flinging, apparently, because I was already being hit with a wave of emotion. I blinked back the tears and the disappointment crashing through me. I desperately wanted a hug. And that wasn't a fling thing. Cuddles were for couples.

Plus, I had a hang-up about sheets. That was far too much to get into with a fling, so giving him space seemed like the best bet.

But now my legs were shaky, and I was swinging between sore and blissed out. Part of me wanted to go back to his potentially germy sheets just so I could bask in the comfort of his arms around me.

I sighed. I'd asked for one night, and he'd given it to me. No matter how great it was, it didn't seem fair to ask for more. I got his reasons for not wanting a situation that came with strings. And there was no way I'd interfere with his baseball career. So, swallowing down my unease, I dropped my red dress on the chair and pulled on a T-shirt.

I was scrutinizing my bed, considering whether I was really going to climb in, when my door opened. Emerson strode in wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs and headed straight to me. He tipped my chin up and placed his lips over mine. Of its own volition, my body sagged against him.

"We'll sleep in here, and I'll get new sheets tomorrow," he promised against my lips, pulling me toward the bed. "I'm big on cuddling, Mariposa, so I need some snuggles."

He pulled the comforter back and helped me in. Then he climbed in and spooned right up to me. With his knees cupped against the backs of my legs, he looped an arm around my middle and tucked me tightly against the hard wall of his chest. It was exactly what I needed, and yet?—

"Emerson?" I whispered.

"Night's not over until the sun is up. We can figure out the rest tomorrow," he mumbled into my hair, keeping me locked in his arms. "You feel really good like this, Gi," he whispered against the back of my neck, his lips finding the skin there.

And although he kissed me when he woke me up to tell me he was leaving for his game, we never actually talked.