“I’ve lived there for almost ten years.I’ll be fine.Just let me go so I can go to sleep.”
“Spend the night at my place.”
His chest vibrates against my forehead as he speaks.Giving in to temptation, I turn my head and press the side of my face against his pectoral.
He’s so big, warm, and comfortable.
“I can’t,” I mumble despite the fog of sleep encroaching on my thoughts.
“Just for tonight.You can go back to your apartment tomorrow after work.”
Even with my face pressed against his suit and the knot of his tie digging into the top of my head, my body relaxes.
“No funny business?Just sleep?”I murmur through the haze of a light doze.
“Just sleep,” he rumbles.
I nod even though I tell myself to push away and say no.
He plops an impressive wad of cash on the table, takes my purse, and tucks me against his side before leading me out of the restaurant.My feet drag.Lifting my lashes becomes increasingly more difficult.
I don’t fight when he settles me into the car and reaches over me for my seatbelt.With a sleepy grin, I marvel at the stubble on his chin and the softness in his light blue eyes.He’s impossibly handsome this close.
He buckles my seatbelt and plants a chaste kiss on my forehead before shutting the door.I slip into a doze before he even puts the key into the ignition.
My nightmares hover just out of reach.Brennan rouses me as he lifts me from the car and cradles me against his chest, but thelub dubof his heart and the gentle sway from his long strides lull me into a deeper sleep.
I wake enough to fumble through his fancy bathroom and wash my face, use the toilet, and change into the oversized t-shirt and sweatpants he handed me.When I open the door and stagger blindly through, strong arms lift me off my feet.Brennan’s cinnamon-and-clove scent calms my mind as he settles me into what can only be a cloud.
The world darkens.I twitch as horrible scenes play through my mind.
My stepfather’s hands.My mother’s blood.
Brennan’s low, soothing rumble abolishes the memories.I sink into restful slumber.
For the first time in thirteen years, I sleep without nightmares.
Even though I know I don’t deserve happiness, I wrap my arms around the man I’ve always loved and dream of a future with him.
I’ll deal with my heartbreak later.For now, I rest in the comfort of my trusted big brother’s arms.
Chapter 14
Brennan Diamond
I finish towel drying my hairand drape the damp fabric back over the drying rack.A soft noise from the bedroom leads me out of the bathroom.
Audrey whimpers and shifts restlessly on my bed.I suck down a steadying breath before slipping between the sheets and gathering her into my arms.She sighs and cuddles into me.
Despite the quick masturbation session I finished two minutes ago in the shower, my cock twitches as she wiggles her soft feminine curves against me.My heart stalls before galloping into my throat when she drapes her thigh over my hip and tugs our bodies flush against each other.
Despite my sweats dwarfing her—or maybe because of—lust hammers in my veins.She’s too soft and sweet.
She gives me the greatest compliment when she falls fast asleep in my arms.I brush her hair off her temple and stroke her back, needing to touch her but refusing to break her trust and take more than she’s willing to give.
With the woman of my dreams tucked tight against me, I slip into deep, regenerative sleep only to jolt awake when her alarm chimes.It’s the quietest alert I’ve ever heard used to wake someone, but without my worries running laps in my head, the slight change in my surroundings yanks my senses into the present.
When Audrey twists to grab her phone off the bedside table behind her, the position arches her back and presses all her glorious curves in all the right places.I groan and pull her arm back around me before reaching for her phone.
