Dakota's back stiffened instantly.
She nervously clenched her fingers, creasing the corner of the blanket, her face hidden beneath the covers burning hot from his question.
Help me…
Don't call her, don't call her!
Just pretend she's asleep, ugh, this feeling of sharing a bed is so awkward.
But thankfully, Curtis only asked once.
Seeing no response from Dakota, he rolled over to lie flat, pulling the blanket up and closing his eyes to pretend sleep.
Dakota breathed a sigh of relief.
She relaxed completely, her hand that had been gripping the blanket slowly loosening.
Perhaps it was because she had let her guard down.
Dakota's breathing became softer and calmer, her nerves relaxing into sleep, truly sinking into the comfort of the bed and drifting into a peaceful slumber.
But what she didn't know was,
Curtis had long noticed that she wasn't asleep.
After he lay flat and pretended to close his eyes, he sensed her breath relaxing.
He lifted his eyelids slightly, using the moonlight to glance at the other side of the bed, seeing Dakota's hand relax its grip on the blanket, a clear sign she was faking sleep.
Was she this nervous?
It's just sharing a bed.
Wasn't she pretty bold when she kissed him while drunk?
Curtis slowly closed his eyes again.
He closed his eyes again, pulling the blanket around him, preparing to roll over to sleep, but just as he did, he heard some rustling behind him.
Curtis: ?
Sensing the movement behind him, he wanted to turn his head to look, but before he could react, the sleeping Dakota beat him to it—
She rubbed against the sheets, wrapped in the blanket.
Gradually moving closer.
A soft mass suddenly pressed against Curtis's back!
In that moment,
Curtis felt his breath stop.
He never imagined that Dakota, sharing the same blanket with him, would move closer on her own accord, causing his brain to freeze.
"Dakota."
Curtis's voice was tight.
His back was stiff.
Though he had no experience with emotions, this soft touch made him aware of something.
He dared not move.
Afraid that the slightest misstep could lead to crossing a line.
And there was an electric sensation that coursed through his body, making him feel weak and his mind numb, not knowing how to react.
"Asleep? Dakota?"
Curtis called out to her in a low, hoarse voice.
But the only response he received was a tighter cling, almost like a child seeking comfort, along with a sleepy murmur.
"Mmm..."
Dakota was indeed asleep. The tension had drained her energy, and once she let her guard down, she quickly succumbed to sleep.
But before that, no one had ever warned her that
she was a restless sleeper and had a habit of cuddling blankets and objects, always gravitating towards sources of comfort.
Sure enough, the next moment,
her arm draped around his waist.
Curtis: "..."
He gazed at the ceiling in despair, noticing Dakota's fingers tracing his side before settling on his abs.
Curtis: "..."
He held his breath, pausing for a moment.
Then he gently grasped her wrist, moved her arm away, and kept a distance from her, moving backward a bit.
Sleeping Dakota didn't feel a thing.
She lay quietly beside him, continuing her dreamlike slumber, and Curtis, seeing her peaceful form, let out a silent sigh of relief before adjusting his position.
But then, before Curtis could relax much, a sweet and fragrant scent wafted into his nostrils.
Dakota, rubbing against the sheets, moved closer.
Like a playful kitten, she snuggled right into his embrace without waiting for him to react.
Curtis: "..."
His Adam's apple bobbed sharply, and his abdomen tensed involuntarily.
Curtis closed his eyes, feeling utterly helpless.
"Dakota."
He called her name hoarsely, enduring her movements, "Wake up."
But Dakota was deeply asleep, seemingly unconsciously moving closer to him.
Whether she was seeking warmth or finding comfort in Curtis's warmth or scent,
she nestled her fluffy hair against him, finding a comfortable spot and pressing her cheek against his chest.
Curtis was about to lose his mind.
The first time, she had entangled him into the bathroom; the second time, she had kissed him forcefully on the couch; and now, the third time, she had initiated cuddling in bed.
Any man would struggle to resist.
The fragrance lingered, and the warmth was palpable.
A different kind of seduction and charm captured Curtis's soul, and the fluttering feeling intoxicated him in this undisturbed night.
It was too quiet.
There were no other distractions.
Curtis felt that Dakota's scent was too alluring, a soft sweetness that was entirely different from her usual feisty demeanor.
He couldn't control the rapid heartbeat in his chest.
He couldn't help but roll his throat.
He wanted to retreat further, lest the last bit of his restraint crumble under Dakota's actions.
But then a murmured voice broke the silence, "Mom..."
Curtis's chest jolted.
He lowered his gaze to Dakota, who was nestled in his arms. The soft moonlight fell gently on her face, her sleeping face peaceful and serene, creating a beautiful shadow as the light filtered through her long lashes.
"Don't go..."
Her lips moved softly.
Curtis froze instantly, his lips tight, choosing not to retreat further.
Is this not considered liking him?
She even mistook him for her mom.
She must really, really like him, right?
Thinking this way, Curtis sighed as if conceding defeat.
He wrapped his arm around Dakota, resting his chin atop her head and gently rubbing it, "Forget it, goodnight."
What could he do when she liked him so much?
Curtis looked up at the ceiling despairingly, his strong jawline tense, his usual arrogance and invincibility tamed in this moment.
Damn.
He'd been reeled in by her once again.
……
The next morning,
Dakota woke up due to the heat, pushing away the source of warmth irritably and rubbing her sleepy eyes.
As soon as she opened her eyes,
she found herself looking into a pair of eyes that were tinged with dark circles, filled with a hint of resentment, and deep and narrow.
Dakota woke up instantly.
She jumped back like a little frog.
"Curtis!" Dakota's eyes widened, looking around in panic.
She then retreated further while wrapping herself in the blanket, "What happened to the boundary line? Why are you sleeping here!" "Why are you sleeping here?"
Curtis lifted his eyelids to look at her languidly.
He gave an ambiguous chuckle, "Why am I sleeping here? Mrs. Pineda, why don't you turn around and see, then listen to my question."
"Why are you sleeping here?"
Dakota's expression turned incredulous.
She blankly followed Curtis's suggestion and turned her head, but the expected scene of being pushed to the edge didn't appear.
What she saw instead was
a large expanse of empty bed.
Dakota, sensing something ominous, looked behind her shoulder, only to discover that the 70-30 boundary line she had drawn last night was almost entirely under her.
And the area she had slept in last night was Curtis's section!!
