Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
He’s not afraid to be affectionate.
BAILEY
I hit Post on a short video in which I thanked my followers for their help in saving me from the masked man and assured them that I was all right—at least physically.
It was evening, and while I’d had time to go live again during my hours at the medical center with Max this afternoon, I hadn’t had the energy to put on a brave face while people sent in one question after another.
At least by posting a recorded video, I could create a little distance between myself and the relentless questions. I was super grateful to them for warning me that someone had been behind me earlier, but their concern was… a lot.
Overwhelming, really.
That done, I switched off the phone, knowing that if I kept it on, I’d inevitably check the comments. Better to leave that until morning.
I brushed my teeth and cleaned my face, inspecting my bruises in the mirror. The swelling had gone down, but my skin was still tender, and Max said the colors wouldn’t disappear completely for another week or so.
I wandered into the living room, where Max was sprawled on the sofa with a book.
He glanced up as I entered and smiled. “Ready for bed?”
“Yeah. Thanks for waiting.” He’d been ready to sleep half an hour ago, but I hadn’t wanted to be up later than him. Something about the thought of being the only person awake in a mostly dark house freaked me out.
Max had offered a bed to the officer parked outside, but they’d insisted that they preferred to keep watch from their vehicle so they could see if anyone approached the house.
I kind of hoped the intruder might give up, since they hadn’t been able to break the back lock, but I doubted I’d get that lucky.
Max set aside his book, stood, and stretched, revealing a pale band of taut skin across his lower belly. I tore my gaze away before he noticed me staring, but my cheeks warmed. For once, I was grateful for the bruising, since it would mask my blush.
I backtracked into the hall and waited for him to go into his room before I stepped into mine.
He sent me another soft, sweet smile. “Good night.”
I waved like an idiot. “Sweet night.”
He chuckled and turned off his light. I spun away and covered my face with my hands.
Sweet night? Seriously?
“It’s ‘sweet dreams’ or ‘good night,’” I muttered to myself as I flicked the light switch and climbed into bed.
I lay there, staring at the ceiling until I finally summoned the courage to shut my eyes. That lasted a few seconds before the image of that figure in the window sprang to the front of my mind, and I was suddenly certain that he was in the wardrobe or hiding behind the curtain.
Just go to sleep.
Squeezing my eyes closed again, I started to count, but I’d only reached seven when my eyes flew open, and I scrambled out of bed and turned on the light.
I blinked against the sudden brightness and went straight to the wardrobe.
I yanked it open and peered inside, then reached in and felt around. There was nothing but clothes and wood.
Feeling foolish, I walked to the windows and pulled back the curtains to check behind them, then I lowered myself—slowly, painfully—to my knees and looked under the bed.
It wasn’t tall enough for anyone to fit underneath, but that didn’t stop my subconscious from being certain that if someone tried hard enough, they could shimmy into the narrow space.
I returned to bed, leaving the light on, but despite how tired I was, my mind wouldn’t stop conjuring possible hiding places.
With a sigh, I got up again. Maybe I just couldn’t be alone. I hated to burden Max, but if I wanted any sleep, his soothing presence might help.
Hopefully he wouldn’t send me away.
I went to his door and knocked lightly. It was dark in his bedroom, but I could make out his silhouette as he sat up in bed.
“What is it?” he asked sleepily.
“I’m scared,” I admitted, hating how silly and young it made me feel. “Can I sleep with you?”
His breath caught. “Bailey…”
“Just sleep,” I added, realizing too late how that might sound. “Being near you helps.”
He hesitated for a long moment before saying, “I can bring your bed into this room, if you’d prefer.”
“No, no. I don’t need you to get up or make a fuss. I’ll just join you.” The last thing I wanted was to make a nuisance of myself so he’d regret allowing me to stay.
He hesitated again. “I don’t want to jostle you.”
“The occasional bump won’t bother me.” Reluctantly, I explained, “Having you close will help me relax, and I trust you not to hurt me.”
Unless that wasn’t the only thing holding him back.
I curled my fingernails into my palms, then winced as they bit into the healing skin there. The cuts and scrapes had scabbed over, but it was still best not to put too much weight on them—although the same could be said about most of my body.
“I’m sorry. I’m pressuring you.” I didn’t want him to feel like he had to let me into his bed or else I might have a meltdown. My state of mind was my own responsibility, not his. “I’ll manage. Sorry to bother you.”
I started to turn, but as I did, he pulled the blankets back.
“Get in,” he said gruffly.
“But—”
“Bailey, I want you to be able to sleep. If you’re comfortable sharing a bed with me, then it isn’t a problem. Just know that I might bump you a time or two.”
“Are you sure?” Part of me wanted nothing more than to dive under the covers and cuddle close to him, but I also didn’t want to force myself on him.
“Yes.” His voice was warm and laced with amusement. “Come on.”
I hurried over before he had any second thoughts and crawled in beside him. He shuffled farther away so we weren’t actually touching, but his heat radiated toward me, and I could smell his faint lemon-and-pine scent.
“Thank you,” I murmured as I pulled the blankets up and wiggled around, trying to get comfortable. His bed was firmer than the one I’d been using, so my sore muscles didn’t sink into it quite so much.
I kept a distance from him, determined not to overstep any more than I already had, but I couldn’t quite find a position that worked, and eventually, he laid one of his arms over my waist, then gently tugged me toward him.
“Is this okay?” he asked.
“Mm-hmm.” I melted into his embrace, going boneless against him.
This time, when I closed my eyes, I was able to relax. I drifted off to sleep with the sound of his breathing in my ears and one thought circling through my mind.
This man is going to break my heart.