Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Nolen
I stroked Vanessa's arm gently as she lay sleeping in my arms. I was too wound up to actually fall asleep with her even though I should be tired.
It was well after midnight, and I would have a big day ahead of me of researching.
It didn't matter how many years I spent behind the computer, it usually wiped me out when I would spend hours and hours doing research.
Even knowing what I had coming didn't lull me to sleep because my mind wouldn't turn off about the woman in my arms.
How did I get so lucky?
Out of all the men she could've chosen, it was me she wanted, and that was fucking with my head.
She loved me.
And yet like a coward, I hadn't said it back even though I knew it to be true. I had fallen for her the first time I laid eyes on her, but I'd convinced myself it could never be. She was too young, too full of life. And I was a man stuck in my ways.
Vanessa didn't care. She wanted to be with me, despite all that, and like a selfish man, I was going to take everything she was willing to give.
My gaze flew to Vanessa when she whimpered in her sleep. I hoped like hell her ribs weren't suffering because of me. I had been as gentle as I could, despite wanting to rail her into the bed.
It was a good thing she loved me because there was no way one time with her could ever be enough.
Vanessa whimpered again, but this time it sounded like she was in agony.
"Vanessa." I slowly nudged her shoulder to hopefully wake her up. Instead she cried out for me.
"Vanessa, baby. Wake up."
I was getting worried. Obviously something was wrong, and I needed to fix it.
Slowly I watched as her eyes fluttered open. They weren't quite focused on me yet, but at least she was being pulled out of whatever nightmare had its hold on her.
"Nolen?"
"I'm right here, baby." I rubbed her arm soothingly. "Are you okay?"
"I dreamt that the guy who's been harassing me finally kidnapped me."
Brushing my lips across her forehead, I pushed away some of her damp hair. "That's not going to happen. I promise you; I'll keep you safe."
Hell would freeze over before I let anything happen to her.
"I'm sorry I woke you."
This time I kissed her cheek. "You didn't wake me. I couldn't fall asleep."
"How come?"
Vanessa shifted so she was snuggled into me, despite me looming over her.
"I was too busy thinking how lucky I am to have you. I owe you an apology."
She looked so damn cute when she scrunched up her nose. "For what?"
"I should've said it back earlier because I do love you, too."
The smile she gifted me with shot straight to my heart. It was so damn beautiful and full of innocence.
"Really?"
"Yes, baby. Really. I was too caught up in my head earlier to say it back, but I've known since the first time I met you that you were it for me."
"So what took you so damn long?"
I tossed my head back and laughed at her directness. At least I could always count on her calling me out.
"Stupidity. It's as easy as that. I didn't think I deserved you, so the best course of action was to stay away. Then everything happened with you and Valerie, and I couldn't let anyone else protect you. It had to be me."
"I'm glad it was you sitting outside my house all those nights. It made me feel safer."
"So you knew, huh?"
Vanessa chuckled softly. "It was hard not to notice when you're paranoid. I would look out my window a million times to make sure it was the same vehicle."
"Well, I'm glad I could provide you that safety."
"Do you think you can sleep now?"
I smiled down at her. "Yeah, baby. I'm ready to sleep."
"Good. Me, too."
I settled down behind her and made her my little spoon. It didn't take long for her breathing to even out, letting me know that she was back to sleep.
It also didn't take me long to join her in that slumber.