Chapter 4
Chapter
Four
SKULL
Ifumble my keys as I open the main door and sigh when I enter the apartment complex. It’s quieter than the clubhouse was tonight, and I’m craving my bed to hopefully stop the migraine I feel coming on in its tracks.
As I pass Ivy’s door, the typical noise that floats out into the hallway is missing, but it’s not as quiet as it should be at two-thirty in the morning.
Is that?
I creep closer to the door and place my ear to it like a feckin pervert. I hear loud moaning coming through the door and backup, feeling like the fucking stalker I’m acting like.
She could be in there with a nice bloke. Or she could be watching porn and getting off alone. Either way, I have no business listening. But then she starts to scream.
As far as red flags go, I’m fairly certain her yelling another man’s name is a brilliant one. If it weren’t for the fact that she sounded like someone was bloody killing her, I wouldn’t have bothered to kick her door in.
The wood splinters as another loud scream leaves her mouth.
“PLEASE DON’T!” I find her wrestling the blanket wrapped around her legs on her tiny couch.
The apartment is pitch black, and I frown.
Something isn’t right here. I move closer to her, but the more I move, the further she gets. I started to run, but I still couldn’t reach her.
My eyes fly open.
Shite.
Screams wake me, and I sit up in bed. Moments pass, and I curse my new neighbor for leaving her TV on too loud. I lay down and close my eyes when the jarring noise echoes again. I’m up and out of my apartment, banging on her door.
Is someone inside hurting her?
Her screams of desperation are louder now.
Just like in my dream.
I kick open her door and search for her in a panic. I find her in the closet of her bedroom, huddled in a corner, sweating and shaking, screaming for someone to let her out.
“I can’t breathe!” I grab her and sit down on the floor, placing her in my lap.
She’s having a night terror.
I stroke her back and let her cling to me until she snaps out of it.
“What are you doing in here?” Her eyes are open, but it’s like she doesn’t really see me.
“You were screaming for help. Hell, Lass, I thought someone was killing ya.” I thank God I was wrong and rock her a little faster in my lap.
“Um, why are you naked.” Feckin hell.
In my rush to get to her, I didn’t even think of stopping to grab my kilt.
“I was asleep. When a man rushes in to save your life, you get what you get, and ya don’t bitch.” I try not to smirk or chuckle, but her face is so adorable that one sneaks out.
She frowns and tries to stand up, but I cage her.
"You have a weird way of saying thank you to the hero that saves you from your nightmares." I can’t help but tease her.
"Maybe because all the heroes in my fairytales wear pants!" Ok, that’s fair.
"That would explain your attitude problem." The words slip out, and her little breath draws my eyes to her lips.
They were quivering in fear before, but now it’s not fear I’m sensing from her, and since I’m naked, it’s causing a major fucking issue.
One I can’t seem to stop whenever I’m around this woman.
“Thank you,” she whispers as we lean into each other.
I blink and stop moving.
“That’s not why I’m here, Lass.” Her cheeks heat, and her body curls in on itself, but all that does is make my hard cock even more obvious under her ass.
“I don’t think your body got the memo,” she gasps and covers her mouth in shock over her own words.
I chuckle as I stand and place her on her feet.
“Aye, when a man holds a beautiful woman in his arms, nature doesn’t care about the right or wrong of it. If you’re okay now, I’ll take my leave.” I point over my shoulder to the door.
“Oh my God! My door!” The look of panic on her face makes me forget about my nudity.
“Right, I didn’t grab my keys. I’ll get that fixed later.” Her head shakes as she backs as far away as the room will allow her to go.
“I can’t lock it. There’s a hole. I’m not secure.” I glance at the door and sigh.
“I’ll replace it now. Let me just go grab some clothes.” She bites her thumbnail but nods, never once looking away from the door.
Her fear is almost visible, so I hurry my steps, and her breath catches.
“Are ya enjoying the view of my ass?” I call over my shoulder, not expecting her to answer, so when I hear her response, I stumble.
“Seriously, sweet ass.” I turn slightly and grin.
“And now you know what’s under my kilt.” I wink and rush up to my apartment to dress so I can get the infatuatedly gorgeous woman secure behind a locked door.
It’s been months of fighting my attraction, and I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be able to hold out.
Especially now that I know how she feels against my body.