Chapter 61: I’m sorry for almost killing you. Again.

I woke up in the early morning, disoriented until I figured out where I was. The day before came flooding back over me, and mortification battled with pain. I tossed and turned for another hour before I got up, pulled on shorts and t-shirt and opened the door.

Rafe was still asleep on the sofa, huddled beneath the quilt and facing the back. I slipped by him and out onto the porch.

The sun was just beginning to paint the sky pink, and the air was still chilled. I huddled on the swing, my arms wrapped around my knees and my heels on the edge of the seat, letting the freshness of the day wash over me.

I didn’t know how long I’d been sitting there when the screen door screeched and Rafe stepped out. He walked over to lean against the porch railing, facing me. I tried not to notice the way his jeans slung low over his hips or the gap of skin visible where his t-shirt had ridden up.

“Morning.” He tucked the tops of his fingers into the pockets of his jeans.