“You’re shaking,” he tells me, and it’s true. I’m trembling; hesavedme. He’sbeensaving me. Koen’s just been protecting me from the beginning.
I can’t find my voice, guilt overwhelms me, threatening to consume me. I should tell him now before it’s too late.But what if it already is?
Koen wraps his arms around me, and I cry harder. The safety of his arms feels like a double-edged sword.I don’t deserve it.I have to tell him the truth.
But when I do…will he keep his promise?
60
EVERY GOOD FAIRY TALE NEEDS A BALL
BRIAR
I wakeup in Koen’s bed.
Again.
After everything that happened last night, Koen insisted I come home with him. He assured me he would take care of everything: the broken glass, the lock, thebody. All of it will be gone by morning, and I would be safer with him.
By the time he carried me out to the car, I was numb, emotionally spent, and completely hollowed out. I fell asleep in his arms somewhere along the drive back to the loft. Only to wake back up after he carefully tucked me into his bed.
But when he turned to leave…
Panic set in. I didn’t want to be alone, so my fingers caught his wrist before I could think. He stopped, turned back slowly, gazing down into my eyes. Neither of us said anything. Unable to form the words I need to say, I tugged lightly on his wrist. He stared at me for another minute before he sighed, pulled off his shirt, and slid under the covers with me.
Without a word, he pulled me against his chest, the warmth grounding me, and I drifted back to sleep to the soft steady rhythm of his fingers tracing lazy patterns across my back.
A phone is ringing.
Koen groans, reaching blindly to the nightstand to take the call. Not yet realizing I’m awake, he slips out from under me, dressing quickly while grunting out quick answers over the phone.
“No, we’re moving the drop.” My eyes peek open just as he slides a fresh pair of boxers over a remarkably fine ass. “Port 17, Monday, nine p.m. sharp.” Jeans follow, and I chew my lip, debating whether or not I should try convincing him to take them back off again.“Yeah,” he mutters, rubbing a tired hand over his face. “I’m on my way.”
Our eyes meet, and I smile hesitantly from under the protection of the comforter.
For a moment, he only stares, his gaze lingering on my face like he’s memorizing every detail, as if waiting to see if I’ll disappear.
“Morning,” he murmurs, the corner of his mouth ebbing into a soft smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“It’s okay.” I grip the edges of the blanket just a little bit tighter.
“I have to go take care of a few things, but you should get some more sleep. You have to be at the gala early, right?”
I nod, finding it hard to form actual words with the truth burning holes in my tongue.
“You can get ready here. I had the guys grab some of your stuff, I’ll have Mac drive you over.”
“You’re not coming?” I ask, feeling… disappointed, my gaze dropping to my hands.
He steps closer, and two fingers lift my chin until I’m staring into those shadowed eyes of his. “I’ll be there. I promise.” He kisses me lightly on the forehead before letting me go.
My eyes soften, and I feel myself relax as I dip my chin.
He turns to leave, and a wave of anxiety creeps down my spine.
“Wait, Koen?”
“Yeah?” He stops by the door, turning back and looking at me expectantly. I swallow, trying to work up the nerve. He tilts his head after a few more seconds when I am silent.
