“Fine.” He took my hand and pulled me to my feet. He waited as I brushed
my teeth. Then he curled an arm around my waist and led me to a bedroom.
“Then you’re going to at least lay down for a bit. God knows when you slept last.”
I rested my head against his shoulder. “There’s no fixing this.”
His arm tightened. “No, there isn’t.”
Breath shuddered through me. “What do I do?”
“Right now? Nothing.” He flipped on the bedroom light, then led me to the
bed. He didn’t let go of my hand as he pulled back the covers. “Get in.”
Staring at the sheets, I swayed on my feet.
“Cyn?”
I blinked and fought through the numbing haze. “Uh?”
“You need to get in bed.”
Right. Bed. I untangled my hand from his and fumbled at my jeans. “Can’t sleep in jeans.”
Hands brushed mine away and took over. Soon my jeans were puddled at my
feet. I crawled into bed and curled into a ball, staring unseeingly at the blinds on the window. My head was empty, but I didn’t dare close my eyes. Sounds drifted
from behind me, but I couldn’t find the energy to investigate. Eventually, Kayden clicked off the light, leaving the hall light to beat back the room’s darkness. Panic rose and I called out, “Don’t close the door.”
“You want me to leave the hall light on?”
“Please.”
He didn’t answer.
Quiet settled.
The first hot tear escaped, blazing a trail for the others to follow. With my back to the door, I faced the pressing darkness, knowing what waited for me. My
eyes burned as I fought the lure of sleep. It was a battle I was destined to lose.
I was so intent on my fight, that when the sheets lifted and a weight settled
behind me, it barely registered. It wasn’t until strong arms curled around me, tucking me against a hard chest, and hair roughened legs tangled with mine, that
I realized Kayden had no intention of letting me fight this one alone. His warm
presence slipped into my hollow spaces, crowding out my waiting fears, and silently promised to hold the nightmares at bay. “Sleep, baby. I’ve got your six.”
Taking him at his word, I closed my eyes and surrendered.
THE SUN ROSE at an ungodly hour in summer. Even the blinds had a hard time holding it back. Warm tendrils teased my face, urging me to wake. Not ready to
get up just yet, I tucked my face under the edge of the sheet. My movement caused the palm cradling my breast to tighten at the same time as a heavy thigh
slid between my legs.
Recognition sparked in my body before my mind caught up. I remembered
Kayden slipping into the bed last night, or was it this morning? The fact I managed at least a few hours of sleep was a minor miracle, but I was grateful for
the reprieve and didn’t want to give it up. Not yet. Too soon, we’d be back in it.
So, I decided to enjoy being wrapped up in Kayden. Considering this was the
first time I’d woken up with someone, it was…nice. Lame word, but it worked.
My few prior relationships consisted of scratching an itch, so lingering until morning wasn’t my norm. I found courage in the steady, deep rhythm of his breaths. Not wanting to wake him, I carefully feathered my hand over the arm at
my waist, keeping my touch light.
His palm rested against my lower stomach, while his other hand continued to
cradle my breast, his fingers occasionally flexing. My body found that interesting. I indulge my curiosity and took my time tracing the muscles in his arm, over and over. I enjoyed the freedom to do so. Enjoyed the feel of him.
