It’s such a foreign feeling, I don’t even know how to respond to him.
I’m tired of trying to impress these men. I’m exhausted from simply trying to stay alive. For once, I take the easy way out.
My head tilts down. My hands are held between us in a less than intimate way as I settle my head against his chest. His warm scent washes over me and I snuggle deeper into his embrace. Strong arms hold me firmly against him in the silence of the night.
I don’t know how long we stand like that. Long enough for my stress and anxiety to pass us by.
He holds me like I’m irreplaceable to him.
I know I’m not.
But it doesn’t stop me from believing it for a quiet moment.
Seventeen
Love and Loyalty
When daylight hits my eyes,I wince away from the warm hues of gold and orange. My hands cover my face but it doesn’t stop the pain from piercing through my skull.
And just like the night before, Jameson holds me in his arms.
My hands raise away from his arm that’s draped across my abdomen. I hold them awkwardly in the air for several seconds.
“Relax. I’m not going ask for repayment for sleeping in my bed. Consider it a free pass.” A teasing smile pulls at the corner of his lips. “This time.”
His hard body warms my side. Thick blankets surround us, cocooning us away from the world. He’s warm. Smooth skin and hard muscle tone. Even his scent is calming and delicious perfection all wrapped up in a soft cotton blanket.
I could stay here forever.
“I slept here…” My voice shakes while my stomach turns. “I slept here. I never went home.”
Shit, shit, shit.
My arms and legs push at the overly restraining blankets and I fight to get out of his luxurious bed.
Armond will kill me. He’s already untrusting of me.
I just made it worse. My feet stumble on quick steps as I trudge around the enormous room looking for my boots. The white carpet and walls are pristine and make the morning sunlight a blinding sight to behold. I nearly flinch away from it once more until I see two muddy boots laying near the door.
The cool door knob meets my fingertips and I’m already racing down the hall in seconds, shoving my boots on as I go. Rory’s hulking frame slows me down when we meet at the stairs. His glare is assessing and hard and I try my best to weave around him without any forced conversation.
Until Jameson’s obnoxious voice trails down the hall after me as he makes his way over.
“You could have at least thanked me for a lovely evening, Al. Who’s doing the walk of shame from my bed, you or me?” His fucking bicep that I was admiring just the night before skims over my hair as his hand settles against the wall and he leans into me in the most casual of stances.
Rory’s narrowed gaze shifts from me to the asshole behind me three times before I finally push away from both of them and storm down the curving stairs.
But apparently, just because I walked away doesn’t mean Jameson is done performing.
“Have a good day, baby. Make the world a beautiful place. Inspire others. Lead with your heart not—” I slam the door before one more inspirational babble can fall from that man’s ridiculous mouth.
Every day is a new fiasco in that house.
* * *
The building is eerilysilent when I race through the front door. I push it quietly closed behind me and take calming breaths to settle my heart rate before anyone notices me.
But I’m alone. The room is empty. Not a single sound resides within the monstrous home that houses hundreds of assassins.
