Chapter 19
THE WEIGHT of uncertainty over Garret’s motives dissipates as he settles beside me on the couch. He keeps a small distance, just like in the kitchen earlier, but not enough to stop the shiver from crawling up my spine or the goosebumps from appearing on my exposed thighs. If he notices, he doesn’t show it. His gaze lingers but never for too long. He also doesn’t mention what happened between us last night.
It’s as if it never happened. As if he never threatened to kill me. As if he never decided, for reasons I still don’t understand, that my life was worth saving.
“Alright, try this one,” he says, pointing to a page in the book. “It’s easier.”
I glance at the poem—it’s short. Manageable. I hesitate, taking a deep breath before beginning. The fourth word tangles on my tongue, and he corrects me gently. Patiently. I push through the rest, stumbling, fumbling—but he never makes me feel stupid.
“If you ever get stuck…” He unlocks his phone, pulling up Google Translate. “Type the word in. It’ll help you pronounce it and show the meaning.”
“Azriel told me I could look things up, but my phone doesn’t work like that,” I admit.
He flips the page. “I can fix that.”
I glance at him. “How?”
“Don’t worry about it.” He nods to the book. “Try this one.”
I lick my lips, reading the lines silently before daring to say them aloud. I don’t push the issue about my phone. In the back of my mind, I keep waiting for him to snap out of whatever this is and go back to the way we were.
“Good,” he says when I finish.
I laugh. “Are you kidding? I suck.”
“No, you’re just not used to it. But you’ll get better. The more you practice.”
I sigh. “I’ll need a ton of books before I can read one page without tripping over my words. Half the time, I don’t even know what they mean.”
He chuckles. “Rose, there are plenty of people who don’t understand what they’re reading—people who read every day. They just pretend they do.”
“But they’re not in college, where it counts.”
“I’ll worry about that part. And I have a ton of books.”
I glance at him nervously. “You wouldn’t mind if I borrowed some?”
“I don’t think anyone would object.”
His fingers brush against my cheek as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. A tingling warmth spreads down my neck at the soft touch.
“You can have as many as you like,” he murmurs. “You can go anywhere you want—except the pool.” A gleam of amusement flashes in his eyes. “I think it’s best you let me know if you decide to jump in again.”
I smile shyly. “Probably a good idea.”
A hot breath tickles my face, followed by a wet swipe across my nose.
I bolt upright, heart hammering.
Ace stares at me, his dark eyes steady, before laying his head back on my pillow like he belongs there.
“A little warning would be nice,” I scold, wiping my nose.
He lets out a small whine.
I swallow hard, slowly reaching out to pet his head. He lifts it slightly, and I flinch, snatching my hand back.
“Don’t show him fear,” I whisper to myself.
Ace watches me. Waiting.
I exhale, repeating it again. “Don’t show him fear.”
Tentatively, I extend my hand once more.
He leans in.
The moment my fingers sink into his soft fur, I let out a triumphant little giggle. He licks my fingers, nuzzling into my palm, his massive head heavy against me.
“Good boy,” I murmur, scratching behind his ears. He rolls onto his back, paws up, demanding a belly rub.
“He likes you.” Garret’s deep voice makes me tense.
I glance up to find him leaning against the doorframe, shirtless, his toned body bathed in the early morning light. I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I think he likes sleeping with you. He’s protective.”
I shake my head, still running my fingers through Ace’s fur. “I don’t mind. He scared me, but I think he’s making up for it.”
Ace lets out a satisfied groan, pushing his head against my palm.
“What would he need to protect me from?” I ask absently, scratching behind his ears.
Garret’s expression darkens. “You never know. Maybe he doesn’t like when you have nightmares.”
I freeze.
I lower my gaze to Ace, my fingers slowing. My nightmares are nothing new. I’ve had them for as long as I can remember.
But if Ace was with me last night, watching over me…
Who else was?
“Did I keep you up?” My voice is quieter now.
Garret doesn’t respond immediately.
After reading with him yesterday, I was exhausted. I don’t even remember falling asleep. But I remember feeling warm. Safe. Wrapped in something I didn’t want to wake up from.
I look up at him, our gazes locking across the room. And in his dark, unreadable stare… I know.
Ace wasn’t the only one in my room last night.