Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
IVY
I’m warm, hot, actually.
My body feels heavy, and in turn, the mattress is sucking down like I have cement shoes. I pull at whatever is hauling me down in panic. An arm flexes under my chin, and my eyes fly open.
“What are you doing here?” I can smell whiskey coming off Skull in waves.
“Trying to sleep, Lass.” His hand pats my hip.
My bare hip from where my night shirt has risen up and has partially exposed my ass to him and the world.
“In my bed?” I squeak as I try and fail to pull the fabric back down, but it won’t budge under the weight of both our bodies.
No, wait.
“You broke in!” My fear skyrockets, and I shove at him.
“Now, hold on. It’s not breaking in if I have a key.” He rolls over and grins as if he’s the smartest man in the world.
“Are you kidding me right now? Get out!” I yell, and he covers his head with my pillow.
“Maybe you need a right good shag to set you right. Maybe then you won’t scream the bloody building down.” My fear morphs from fear to anger.
One, because he’d suggest it, and two, cause my body seems to agree with him.
“How can you be such an asshole?” I lift the pillow and slam it at him a few times before throwing it across the room to actually kick him out of my bed.
“My Na says I come by it naturally. If I promise just to cuddle, will ya shut your mouth? The screaming is giving me a headache.” My eyes widen at him.
“You can’t be serious.” I try to push his arms away, but he manages to secure them around my waist and pin me to the mattress, spooning me into his chest.
“Oh aye, that cute voice of yours ain’t so when I’m drunk. Now lay still and we’ll discuss it in the morning.” He kisses my shoulder and snuggles into me and the pillow we’re both sharing.
“You can not stay here!” I say the words in outrage, but somehow, they sound soft and hollow.
Skull snores softly into my ear, already asleep, and I stay frozen in his arms.
I’m never going to be able to sleep like this.
Who the hell does he think he is?
I close my eyes to count to ten and hum as I clutch my necklace. His chest rumbles as he snores on my back, and I find myself drifting off.
Sunlight blinds me as I try to sit up and fail.
Huge biceps hug me tightly, and a soft breath rustles the hair on my shoulder. I hold in my whimper, trying to remember who Ivan sold me to. I don’t feel drugged, and nothing hurts.
“Morning, Lass.” Skull’s Scottish timbre brings me back to myself, and the sob I was desperately trying to contain breaks free.
“Shh, none of that. You’re safe.” I nod with a sniffle, looking around my bedroom.
My shifting causes my ass to rub against his morning wood, and I freeze.
“Oops.” I scoot away, wanting to give him his space, but he pulls me back.
“Ignore it. It’s just biology. How did you sleep?” How the hell am I supposed to ignore the monster poking me in the back?
I clear my throat and try to pretend his cock isn’t trying to climb up my spine.
“Um, surprisingly well.” My answer shocks the shit out of me.
When was the last time I got a decent night’s sleep? Over a decade ago, at least. I sigh and snuggle into him.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
“Thank you for checking on me, but I need you to leave.” I pull at his arms again, but this time, he releases me without much fuss, and I’m not sure I like that any more than being held down by him.
And with my past, that thought is fucking terrifying.
I scramble from the bed, almost falling on my face in the process, when my toe catches on the blankets, but all my years of dancing make me light on my feet, and I recover as gracefully as possible before spinning around to face a half-naked Skull with an erection tenting his kilt obscenely.
“Wow, you move like a ballerina.” I gasp and lock my knees, so I don’t fall in my shock.
“Did I say something wrong, Lass?” He looks so confused at my reaction.
He can’t know. No one can know!
He stands and approaches me, but I hold my hands up to stop him.
“Please, I need you to leave. I’m not used to company, and I need my space. Plus, I have work.” I glance at the clock and swear under my breath.
“You work? But you never leave the building.” Thank you, Captain Obvious.
I roll my eyes and point at my computer.
“I work remotely.” His cheeks pinken, and I smirk at the fact that I one-upped him.
“I’ll leave you to it then.” He heads into the hallway, and I shake out my limbs, waiting to hear the door open and close.
I wait a minute.
Then two.
Five minutes later, I frowned, going in search of the Scottish man who was outstaying his welcome in my home. When I smell coffee and bacon, I hurry into my kitchen.
“Sit.” I open my mouth to tell him I’m not a dog but stop short.
It’s been a very long time since I talked back or even had the urge to. I thought Ivan had trained it out of me.
Beat, you mean.
“Ivy? Sit and eat. I won’t leave until you do.” Skull crosses his arms over his bare chest, and I blink a few times to dispel the fantasies playing in my mind.
“Thank you.” I sit and look at the plate he served me.
“You found all this in my fridge?” My mouth waters at the ripe strawberries, scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast, but I frown.
I hadn’t been to the store in days, and the last time I looked, my loaf of bread was growing hair.
“I ran up to my apartment for some supplies. You got a container in your ice box that moved when I opened the door.” My eyes widen at his teasing.
Then I glance at the door, wondering why I didn’t hear it, and frown. The damn thing is wide open, and my heart skips.
Unsecured, not safe.
I leap from my seat and slam it closed, making sure every lock is in place, then turn to set the alarm before I can finally take a deep breath. When I spin back to my kitchen, I find Skull staring at me with one eyebrow up.
“Wanna explain all that?” Shit.
“Not really,” I shrug, expecting him to fly off the handle, but he doesn’t.
He tilts his head slightly and then nods.
“Alright, Lass. I’ll earn your trust. For now, eat your food before you’re even more late for work. I’ll see myself out.” He passes by me, and I watch in horror as he undoes everything I just did, including my fucking alarm.
“How did you do that!” I gasp out as he grins at me.
“Who do you think installed it?” He winks over his shoulder at me.
I step away from him, not realizing how close I got to him until the warmth of his back heats my cold, calmy flesh.
Why am I so comfortable around him?
“Lock up. I’ll wait outside the door until you do.” He nods once at me and steps out into the hall before looking up at my face.
“Eat it all, Ivy.” The door closed, and I blink out of the trance I am in.
I rush to set the locks and alarms before returning to the food he took the time to prepare for me.
Even so, I’m not a morning person and barely eat breakfast; I devour every single bite. While I’m washing the dishes, I stare out the window above the sink and wonder.
Was I even hungry, or did I eat it just because he ordered me to?
Therapy this morning is going to be very interesting.