Chapter Eight
Nora
The crackle of the electric fireplace and the soft glow of candles enveloped us as Dawson and I sat cross-legged on the plush rug, wrapping presents. His strong hands guided the scissors with precision, cutting perfect lines of shimmering paper. I couldn’t help but sneak glances at him, marveling at the way his hair fell across his brow, the intensity of his blue eyes as they focused on the task.
He’d insisted on taking me shopping to get some things for Taylor. Since I’d lost everything in the fire, it meant she’d also lost what few presents I’d managed to buy for her. Part of me had wanted to tell him it wasn’t necessary, but I’d swallowed my pride and let him buy stuff for my little girl. She deserved an amazing Christmas, and if Dawson wanted to give her one, who was I to argue?
Being here with Dawson in the warmth of his apartment felt like a dream -- a place where I could finally breathe, where the shadows of my past couldn’t reach me. I savored every brush of his fingers against mine as we passed tape and ribbons, every rumble of his deep laugh at my clumsy attempts to tie bows.
More than that, it also made me feel things I hadn’t in a long time. Desire, for one. How long had it been since I’d been interested in sex? It felt like it had been forever ago. I didn’t count the times I’d had sex because I felt like I didn’t have a choice.
The sound of Dawson cutting more paper interrupted my dismal thoughts. Right. I needed to focus on the here and now, not a past I couldn’t change.
“You’re a natural at this,” I teased, holding up my lopsided creation. “Unlike me, I bet you could moonlight as one of Santa’s elves.”
Dawson chuckled, the sound smooth like honey. “I don’t know about that. But I’d be happy to give you some private lessons.” He winked and my heart fluttered against my ribs.
Did he have any idea what he did to me? That he made me want things I’d thought I’d never want again? Sure, I was pregnant, but… well, I hadn’t exactly desired Rex. It wasn’t that he’d forced himself on me -- more that I’d just given him what he wanted regardless of how I felt about it. Sex with him had always been quick. But what would it be like with Dawson?
Just as I opened my mouth to reply to his teasing remark, a sudden, sharp knock rattled the apartment door. My body tensed, fingers stilling on the half-formed bow in my grasp. Dawson’s hand found mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’ll get it. Probably just Mrs. Larson wanting to borrow some sugar again.”
Right. The old lady downstairs did come up frequently to borrow things from Dawson. Personally, I thought she was just lonely and wanted someone to talk to for a few minutes. My heart hammered in my chest, and something told me it wasn’t Mrs. Larson this time.
Dawson rose and strode to the door, and a cold sense of unease trickled down my spine. Please, let it be the sweet old lady from down the hall. Anyone but Rex . My breath caught in my throat as Dawson turned the knob, the hinges creaking slightly…
* * *
Dawson
I checked the peep hole, expecting to see Mrs. Larson’s wrinkled smile. Instead, I found myself face to face with a hulking man, his eyes dark and seething with barely contained rage. He reeked of alcohol and cigarettes. Rex. And he appeared to be drunk off his ass. Perfect. I threw the door open, ready to take him down. Again.
“Who the hell are you?” he snarled, trying to peer around me into the apartment. “Where’s Nora?”
My jaw tightened. Did this asshole really not remember me from the café? I’d landed quite a few good hits. Or was his brain too pickled with alcohol? I planted myself firmly in the doorway, blocking his view.
“I’m Dawson, Nora’s boyfriend,” I said, keeping my voice level. “And you must be Rex. She’s told me all about you.”
If he wanted to forget our previous encounter, fine. I’d play along. And I hoped my comment wouldn’t send Nora running for the hills. We hadn’t exactly discussed our relationship. It felt like more than just friendship though. At least, for me it did.
His lip curled in a sneer. “Boyfriend? Since when? Nora, get your ass out here!”
I heard her soft footsteps behind me, felt her hand tremble as it came to rest on my arm. “It’s okay, Dawson.”
I could hear the fear in her voice, see it in the way her eyes darted to Rex’s menacing form. Like hell it was all right! He’d been stalking her, so it wasn’t his first time showing up at the apartment. Had he not noticed me coming and going from here too? Maybe it was more than alcohol destroying his few remaining brain cells.
I’d sworn to myself I’d never let anyone hurt Nora again. And I sure as shit wasn’t about to let this bastard anywhere near her. My hand tightened on the doorframe as I stared Rex down, ready for whatever came next. I just needed to remember one thing… Justin had told me before if I had to shoot someone, make sure they were inside the apartment first.
Rex’s eyes narrowed as they flicked between Nora and me, his anger morphing into something more sinister. A slow, cruel smile spread across his face. “Well, well, well. Looks like you’ve been busy, Nora. Shacking up with this loser instead of at home where you belong.”
“I haven’t lived with you for several weeks now, Rex.” Nora’s fingers dug into my arm, her whole body trembling. “Please just leave. We’re done. I told you that. The entire reason I moved out was because I didn’t want anything to do with you anymore.”
“Done?” He barked out a harsh laugh. “We’re done when I say we’re done, bitch.”
Rage surged through my veins, hot and unstoppable. I stepped forward, crowding into Rex’s space. “Watch your mouth, asshole. You don’t get to talk to her like that.”
His nostrils flared, his fists clenching at his sides. “You think you can tell me what to do, pretty boy? You have no idea who you’re messing with.”
No, he was the one who had no clue who he was fucking with right now. A war raged inside me -- respectable firefighter and son of a Dixie Reaper. If he dared to say another word to Nora, I wasn’t sure which side would come out to play, but I was betting on the latter.
My heart pounded in my ears, adrenaline coursing through me. I knew I should back down, defuse the situation. But the thought of this piece of shit laying a hand on Nora again made it impossible to think straight.
Behind me, I heard Nora’s shaky intake of breath. “Rex, I’m serious. Leave now, or I’m calling the cops.”
His eyes flashed with something dark and dangerous. “You’re gonna regret this, Nora. You think you can just replace me? You’re nothing without me.”
I stepped forward again, this time pushing him farther back from the doorway, my voice low and threatening. “She said leave. Now.”
For a moment, I thought he might take a swing at me. His whole body vibrated with barely contained violence. But then, with a final sneer, he turned and stalked down the walkway, his footsteps echoing like gunshots in the silence. Looked like he might have been drunk or stoned, but not enough to realize he’d be fighting a losing battle.
I watched from the doorway until he disappeared into the stairwell, my heart still racing. Then I turned to Nora, gathering her shaking form into my arms. “It’s okay,” I murmured into her hair. “He’s gone. I’ve got you.”
But even as I said the words, I couldn’t shake the feeling this was far from over. That Rex’s threats weren’t just empty words. I’d do whatever it took to keep Nora safe, no matter the cost. Any cost. Even if it meant going to my dad for help.
Nora clung to me, her face buried in my chest, and I could feel the rapid rise and fall of her breathing. The adrenaline was starting to fade, replaced by a bone-deep weariness. I wanted nothing more than to whisk her away from all of this, to someplace safe where she’d never have to face that kind of fear again.
But I knew it wasn’t that simple. Rex’s words echoed in my mind, a sinister promise of retribution. I tightened my arms around Nora, my jaw clenching with a fierce protectiveness. He’d have to go through me first.
“I’m sorry,” Nora whispered, her voice muffled against my shirt. “I never meant for you to get dragged into this. When you offered us a place to stay, I should have declined. Should have figured something out on my own.”
I pulled back slightly, cupping her face in my hands. “Hey, look at me. You have nothing to apologize for. I’m here because I want to be. Because I care about you. Besides, do you really think I’d have let you walk off, knowing you had nowhere to go?”
Her eyes searched mine, a flicker of hope amidst the fear. “But what about what you said before? About pretending to be my boyfriend? You just made him even angrier. Now he’s going to target you too.”
I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. This was it. The moment of truth. “I wasn’t pretending, Nora. I meant every word. Being your friend isn’t enough. The longer I’m with you, the more I care about you, and the more I want from our relationship. So if any of that scares you, tell me now.”
Her lips parted in surprise, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, slowly, a smile bloomed across her face, radiant and beautiful. “Really?”
I nodded, my thumb brushing away a stray tear from her cheek. “Really. I know the timing is kind of crazy, but I can’t help how I feel about you. And if you’ll have me, I promise I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
Nora’s arms tightened around my waist, her head nestling into the crook of my neck. “I’d like that,” she murmured. “More than anything. But I feel like I’m getting the better end of the deal.”
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, a fierce joy welling up inside me. It wasn’t going to be easy; I knew that. Rex was still out there, a looming threat on the horizon. For now, in this moment, knowing she was mine would be enough.
She leaned back and licked her lips. “Does that mean I can have a real kiss now?”
She wasn’t only giving me permission but asking for one. I couldn’t begin to describe how it made me feel. My only fear was that I wouldn’t be able to hold back and would push for too much too fast.
My heart raced as I gazed into Nora’s eyes, seeing the desire there that mirrored my own. I cupped her face gently in my hands, my thumbs caressing her cheeks.
“Are you sure?” I whispered, wanting to give her one last chance to back out.
Instead of answering, Nora leaned in, her lips meeting mine. The world fell away as I lost myself in the softness of her mouth, the sweet taste of her. My hands slid into her hair, cradling the back of her head as I deepened the kiss. Her lips parted on a sigh, and I took the invitation, my tongue sweeping inside to tangle with hers.
Nora’s fingers clutched at my shirt, pulling me closer as she pressed her body against mine. Heat surged through me, and I groaned low in my throat. I backed her up against the wall, pinning her there with my hips as I devoured her mouth. She tasted of peppermint and promises, and I couldn’t get enough.
My hands roamed down her sides, feeling the curves of her body through her thin shirt. Nora arched into me, a soft moan escaping her. The sound sent a jolt of electricity down my spine, and I kissed her harder, pouring all my pent-up longing into it.
We broke apart, both of us panting. I rested my forehead against hers, struggling to catch my breath. “God, Nora,” I murmured. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”
She smiled up at me, her eyes dark with desire. “Me too,” she admitted. “I was just afraid… afraid of ruining what we had.”
I brushed my lips against hers again, softer this time. “Nothing could ruin this,” I assured her. “What we have is special. And I’m not going anywhere.”
Nora’s arms wound around my neck, pulling me down for another kiss. This one was slower, deeper, filled with promise and unspoken emotions. I savored every moment, committing it to memory -- the feel of her body against mine, the taste of her lips, the little sounds she made as I explored her mouth.
When we finally parted, we were both breathless and flushed. I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, marveling at how beautiful she looked with her lips swollen from my kisses. “That was…”
“Amazing,” Nora finished for me, a shy smile playing on her lips.
I nodded, unable to keep the grin off my face. “Yeah. Amazing.” I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her. “And it’s just the beginning, Nora. I promise you that. As for Rex, you don’t need to worry about him.”
I’d make sure of it, one way or another.
“How can you be so sure? You don’t know what he’s capable of.”
I’d met men like him before. Hell, my dad’s club had been fighting against them since long before I was born. Didn’t matter that the Swift Angels hadn’t been able to find anything concrete. It wasn’t like we all had a lot of time on our hands, and my days off were now spent with Nora and Taylor.
I tightened my arms around her, drawing her closer. “I know enough. And I’m not afraid of him. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, even if it means putting myself in harm’s way.”
She shook her head, her fingers clutching at my shirt. “I can’t ask you to do that, Dawson. This isn’t your fight.”
“But it is,” I insisted, my gaze locked on hers. “From the moment I met you, I knew I wanted to be a part of your life. And that means being there for you, no matter what.”
Nora’s breath hitched, and I saw a tear slip down her cheek. “I don’t deserve you.”
I brushed the tear away with my thumb, my heart aching for her. “You deserve everything good in this world, Nora. And I’ll spend every day proving that to you, if you’ll let me.”
She nodded, a watery smile spreading across her face. “I’d like that.”
We stood there for a long moment, wrapped in each other’s arms. But before I could convince her to be part of my world in a more permanent way, I needed to be completely honest with her. Which meant telling her more about my parents, and the Dixie Reapers. I wanted to bring it up, but it didn’t seem like the right time. I wasn’t sure when I’d get the chance.
“So, I guess this means we’re official now, huh?” I asked, with a slight smile.
Nora giggled, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “I guess so. Boyfriend.”
The word sent a thrill through me, and I hugged her tighter, never wanting to let go. “Girlfriend,” I whispered back, savoring the sound of it on my tongue.
It wasn’t like I’d never dated before, but this time it was different. Nora was special to me. Both her and Taylor.
Nora pulled back slightly, her eyes searching mine with a newfound vulnerability. “You know, when you stood up to Rex like that, pretending to be my boyfriend, it made me realize how much I’ve been longing for someone to protect me, to make me feel safe and cherished. I stood up to him on my own before, even left him, but I’ve felt… lonely.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so instead, I kissed her again. Holding her close and laying claim to her in the only way I could think of. Her body molding perfectly to my own. The kiss deepened, our tongues tangling in a passionate dance that left me aching for more. I groaned, pulling her even closer, my hands roaming the soft curves of her waist.
Nora’s fingers threaded through my hair, tugging gently as she pressed herself against me, a soft moan escaping her lips. The sound sent a jolt of desire straight to my cock, and I knew I was teetering on the edge of losing control.
Reluctantly, I pulled back, resting my forehead against hers as we both struggled to catch our breath. Being with Nora was different from anything I’d experienced before. It wasn’t like I’d been a virgin before I met her, but this was more than just sex.
Nora’s eyes shone with a mixture of joy and desire. “I’ve never felt anything like that before.”
“Me neither. And I want to feel it again and again, for as long as you’ll have me.”
Nora’s smile faltered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. “But what about the baby? And my past? I come with a lot of baggage, Dawson. Are you sure you want to take that on?”
I took her hands in mine, my gaze locking with hers. “Nora, I want all of you, baggage and all. The baby, your past, your future… I want to be a part of it, if you’ll let me. We can take things slow, figure it out together. But I’m not going anywhere, unless you tell me to.”
A single tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly brushed it away. “I don’t think I could ever tell you to go. You’ve become so important to me, Dawson. More than I ever thought possible.”
I pulled her into my arms, holding her close as I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You’re important to me too, Nora. And I promise, I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe and happy. You, Taylor, and the baby.”
We stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other’s embrace. As we held each other, the world seemed to fall away, leaving only the two of us in this perfect, peaceful moment. Nora’s body molded to mine, her head resting on my chest as I gently stroked her hair. The scent of her shampoo, a subtle hint of lavender, filled my senses, and I found myself never wanting to let her go.
But the sound of a car door slamming outside jolted us back to reality. Nora tensed in my arms, her breath hitching as she pulled away slightly, her eyes wide with fear. “What was that?”
I gave her a reassuring squeeze, my voice calm and steady. “It’s probably just one of the neighbors coming home. Nothing to worry about.”
She nodded, but I could see the uncertainty lingering in her eyes. The events of the evening had left her shaken, and I knew it would take time for her to feel truly safe again.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, I realized how late it had gotten. “Why don’t we call it a night? You must be exhausted after everything that’s happened.”
Nora hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. It’s not like Christmas is tomorrow. We can always wrap more later.”
I walked her to the bedroom, my hand resting gently on the small of her back. “Get some sleep and I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll put everything away so Taylor won’t see it.”
She leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment. “Thank you, Dawson. Don’t forget to put a few of the wrapped ones under the tree. It will make her so excited in the morning.”
The bedroom door clicked shut behind her, and I stood in the hallway for a moment, my mind reeling from the events of the evening. I made my way to the living room, the shadows seeming to close in around me as I sank onto the couch. I leaned forward, elbows on my knees, and buried my face in my hands.
“What have I gotten myself into?” I muttered.
I reached for my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I found Evan’s number. My finger hovered over the call button, but I hesitated. It was late. There wasn’t anything I had to say that couldn’t wait until morning or the next time I saw him.
With a sigh, I tossed the phone aside and leaned back against the cushions. Then the wrapping paper caught my eye. I stood up to put it away, along with everything else. As I eyed the few presents we’d managed to wrap, I selected three to place under the tree for Taylor.
Once I’d hidden the other ones in my closet and put the paper, ribbons, and tape in my bedroom, I rinsed off in the shower and crawled into bed. Sleep evaded me, my mind too wired to relax. I tossed and turned while the hours passed, the ticking of the clock the only sound in the oppressive silence.
As the first rays of dawn began to peek through the curtains, I finally drifted off into a fitful slumber.