I’m beside her in an instant, crouched at the edge of the bed, fingers brushing her shoulder.
“Sierra,” I say, voice low but firm. “Wake up. You’re safe.”
She jolts awake, eyes wild, chest heaving like she ran a mile.
Recognition comes slow.
Then she curls in on herself. “Sorry. I just—”
“You don’t have to explain.”
She swallows. “Would you…”
Her voice breaks.
“Would you stay? Just—lie down. I feel safer with you beside me.”
I go still.
“Darlin’…”
My voice comes out low, rough, all gravel and restraint.
“You don’t know what you’re asking.”
A beat.
“If I get in that bed, the last thing you’ll be is safe.”
She blinks at me, confused.
“I’m not—I don’t mean anything by it, I just…”
Her hand tightens in the sheets. “I don’t want to be alone.”
God help me.
“You think I haven’t noticed?” I murmur. “The way you smell like vanilla and trouble. The way your fingers curl when you're nervous. The way you look at me like you’re trying not to.”
She goes still.
““I’ve been trying to stay on the right side of the line since the moment I laid eyes on you,” I say, voice low. “And now you want me in that bed?”
My jaw tightens. “Darlin’, I don’t think you understand what you’re asking.”
Her voice is barely a whisper. “I do.”
I drag in a breath that burns like whiskey, slow and scalding. “I gave you my word. I’d protect you. Even if that means protecting you from me.”
A beat. Her eyes don’t leave mine.
Then—softly, like a dare—
“What if I don’t want to be protected from you?”
Every muscle in my body goes taut.
“Move over,” I growl.
