“I like these songs too.” He places the earbuds back in my ears. “Close your eyes.” His voice is demanding but still gentle.
“Nope.” A yawn escapes my mouth, and Victor grins.
“Because you want to watch how hot I am? Or because you are trying to avoid the dirty dreams about me?”
Warmth spreads on my cheeks. “Because I don’t trust you.”
“Not yet.”
He’s way too confident. His warm fingers move to my eyes and touch my eyelids as they close involuntarily.
“I’ll choose a song for you.”
I don’t open my eyes. I don’t know why.
I find comfort in his presence. I find peace in the darkness.
Whatever it is, I haven’t felt it for a long time. My ticking heartbeat is the only sound that stretches in the silence.
“You can listen to this song while you fall asleep. I’ll be right here with you.”
His sensual voice infiltrates deep into my mind, and I memorize every sound, intonation, note.
“I’m not sleepy.”
I can hear his smile. I swear I can, loud and clear, but it could be my imagination.
A familiar song comes on. It’s Alec Benjamin’s “Let Me Down Slowly.” And the lyrics are the last thing I remember.
Ithought I’d never allow a man in my room other than my brother, especially while lying in bed. I stretch my arms up, touching the headboard, and sigh. The motion pulls the skin at the back of my shoulder, reminding me of the stab wound. Thanks to Victor’s quick intervention, it’s healing.
But I’ll have a scar. Forever.
I place my hands on my chest, counting its rises and falls.
The scar reminds me of my purpose: to run away, far and fast. I dodged one nightmare, but I’m one day closer to the impending doom that’s waiting for me.
Eighty-four days left.
I’m not taking my chances. Train. New Orleans. ASAP.
Would the nightmares stop in the new city?
Alek is the only one downstairs, pouring a cup of coffee with his back toward me. He moves his head side to side slowly, stretching gently. He groans softly, and I wish things were different.
“Good morning,” I say.
He turns. “Hey.”
The tension between us is back.
“How’d you sleep?” I ask.
“Fine.”
Although I didn’t wake him up with my screaming, Alek must have not gotten any sleep on the hard couch.
He gulps down his coffee and walks over to the couch to fold his blanket. I find a mug and pour some coffee too.
