“Coming to intimidate you. He snuck in while I was doing dishes. I caught him heading toward your bedroom with that knife.”
Alec nods at the floor.
I see it lying there. The blade that almost went into Alec’s chest.
The weight of reality crushes me. It hits me so hard that I’m in real danger. My knees start to buckle.
Alec catches me and guides me down to the floor. He wraps his arms around me, solid and warm. Like a wall that will keep everything out. I sink into that sensation.
“He… he could’ve killed you.” I’m shaking my head before I realize it, the spiral dragging me down. “That knife almost?—”
“But it didn’t. We’re both okay. You’re safe, and I got that asshole out of here.” Alec takes my chin, making me look up at him. “You’re alright, Claire. Don’t think like that.”
“I… my head… I can’t stop, Alec. I’m just so scared. Why is he doing this? Why can’t he just leave me alone?”
Alec pulls me into his arms, and I bury my face in his chest, breathing him in. He smells good. The warmth of his skin is a welcome change from the cold dread crawling through my veins.
For a long moment, he just holds me. His hand strokes up and down my back in slow, steady sweeps. Not trying to fix anything. Just being there.
“I’ve got you,” he murmurs against my hair. “I’m right here.”
Something about those simple words cracks me open. A sob escapes, and then I’m crying into his chest. All the fear I’ve been holding spills out of me.
Alec doesn’t shush me. Doesn’t tell me to calm down. He just keeps holding me, letting me fall apart.
“That’s it,” he says softly. “Let it out.”
I don’t know how long we stay like that. Eventually, the sobs taper off into sniffles, and I feel wrung out. But somehow lighter.
I pull back just enough to look up at him. His dark eyes are soft with concern.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
He brushes a tear off my cheek with his thumb. The touch is so tender it makes my chest ache.
I don’t want to feel this way. I want…
Craning my head up, I meet Alec’s stare. He regards me for a moment, clearly unsure what I’m doing.
I am, too. I have no idea what I’m doing.
But it’s happening anyway.
I kiss him. Dive into the sensations. The lust that blocks out the fear. As the need ramps up, Alec suddenly holds me back, staring down into my eyes with his hands on my cheeks.
“Claire, I’m not sure now is the best time. You need?—”
“I know what I need. I know what I want. And I want this. I can’t be afraid anymore. I need to feel something good. Please.” My voice cracks. “Please, Alec. Let me have this.”
He holds my stare for a moment. Then he sighs, the restraint falling away. “Dammit. This probably isn’t smart, but… fuck it.”
We’re a tangle of kisses and caresses. Alec yanks the towel off my body, exposing me to him. I blush and burn under his gaze, getting wetter by the second.
When Alec starts to descend, I pull his lips back up to mine. I need him there. I need his lips on mine. He chuckles against my mouth, reaching between my thighs with his large hand.
Immediately, he finds my seam—slick and needy—and dips a finger inside me. He swirls it around until he hits my clit, and my hips buck against him.
“Yes! Please!”
