My phone buzzes, startling me out of a doze, and I grab it quick so it doesn’t wake her. Taylor shifts, turns toward me and cuddles against my chest, the crown of her head under my chin. The blanket slips a little and I have a perfect view straight down her top. Fuck me. I pull the blanket back up and look at my phone.
Blaze:
I’ve tracked the bike to an address in Mid Town and Mount Vernon. I’ve sent Daze and Vicious to check it out
Nero:
Make sure they know I want to deal with him myself
Blaze:
Okay. I’ll find more info on the owner and who he hangs out with
I put the phone down and look through the front window. Then shift carefully to make sure I don’t wake Taylor as I get up. Once I’m sure she’s still out, I make my way around her house, checking everything out, including the security measures. The outdated security system and flimsy locks on her window don’t fill me with confidence.
What is clearly her dad’s room is full of boxes, some full, some waiting to be made. A few doors along I come to Taylor’s room. It’s feminine but not overly so, and has been decorated since she was a kid, it’s not a childhood bedroom.
Before things get too creepy, I pull back the covers then go downstairs. Taylor is still asleep. I’m not sure this will work without waking her but the couch isn’t that comfortable. With great care, I slip my arms underneath her and lift her up.
She wakes, disorientated as I cradle her in my arms.
“Noah?”
“Relax, I’m taking you to bed.”
“You haven’t even bought me dinner yet,” she mumbles, making me laugh. “You can put me down,” she says sleepily.
“No thanks.”
She moans and leans into me again. Fucking hell she is going to be the death of me.
“I’ll be okay now I’ve had some sleep.”
“It wasn’t enough,” I walk around the top of the stairs and into her bedroom, carefully setting her down in the bed. “You need more.”
“It’s okay,” she starts to get up. “I’ll be alright,” she looks around the room then back at me, as if she isn’t sure how she got here. “Um, you can go.”
I stand back and look at her as she sits up, like she is about to get out of bed. Before she can get to her feet, I walk over and stand right beside her so she can’t get up. Her head tips so she can look at me.
“You’re worried about nightmares.”
She shakes her head and turns away.
“Cherry,” I take her chin and pull her face back. “Do you want me to stay so you can sleep?”
She shakes her head, but it’s because I’m practically a stranger. Even though I have somewhere I need to be, I don’t like the idea of her suffering alone. While she watches I take off my cut and kick my boots into the corner.
“What are you doing?”
“Shush, Cherry.”
Her mouth opens and closes but she doesn’t know what to say and watches me get into the bed on the other side.
“This is… Am I dreaming?”
“You will be soon, lay down and come here,” I lift my arm. I don’t even recognize myself right now but that is okay. I’ll worry about that tomorrow.
After a few moments of hesitation, Taylor moves into the center of the bed but out of reach of me putting my arm around her. Whatever works for her. She lies on her side and watches me. I turn away and stare at the ceiling.
