“Got you,” he whispered, and it sounded playful, but when I tried to move my arms again, I couldn’t.
I couldn’t move at all.
Oh fuck. I was pinned down, and I couldn’t move my arms, and I was trapped, completely, totally trapped with no hope of escape, and I—
Before the panic could fully take over, Roman released me, backed away to the end of the couch, and held his hands out, saying, “You’re okay, Oak. I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. You’re safe, honey. You’re safe. You’re home. You’re not trapped. Fuck. I’m so sorry.”
Closing my eyes, I ignored the stinging behind them. I wanted to cry. Not because I was scared or upset with Roman, but because I was frustrated with myself. I knew Rome would never,ever hurt me. I trusted him with my life; I trusted him more than anyone in the whole world.
But my body had reacted before I could stop it.
Memories of men holding me down, of manacles around my wrists and ankles, assaulted me, and I couldn’t stop my intake of air or the quiver of my chin as I covered my face with my hands.
“Fuck,” I heard Roman say under his breath. “I’m so sorry, Oakley. I… fuck. What do you need from me? Do you want me to leave?”
I shook my head. No, I didn’t want him to leave. I never wanted him to leave. I wanted him to stay here with me forever.
I sucked in a breath and sat up, shaking my head. “N-no. Don’t go.”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded. “Can I… can I have a hug?”
“Of course.”
Slowly, he slid closer, watching me like I was a frightened animal—I supposed I was. When he was right beside me, he opened his arms and let me move into him.
It was sweet, even if it broke my heart a little to see him being so careful with me. I hated that he felt that way. I wasn’t made of glass, and I hated that I needed his gentleness right now.
His arms came around me, holding me firmly against him, but in a way that didn’t make me feel trapped. I sniffled, trying to hold back the tears and all the stupid emotions that wanted to come after that… freakout or whatever it was.
We stayed that way for a long time, and I slowly relaxed, melting into him until he was holding me up, and I was just a lump halfway on top of him.
He kissed the top of my head, whispering, “You can have a hug anytime you want.”
I wanted to cry again, but I didn’t even know why. “The same goes for you, Rome.”
I could hear the smile in his voice when he said, “Yeah? You better be careful what you’re offering there because I want to hug you all the time.”
I couldn’t help but snort. “So are you going to just attach yourself to me so I have to, like, carry you around everywhere I go?”
“Pretty much, yeah.”
I snorted again, and even though I still felt a little shaky, I was okay. I’d be okay.
“Although I’m not sure you’ll be able to carry me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m strong enough to carry you.”
He snorted this time. “I think I’d squish you like a bug.”
“Wanna bet?”
Before he could respond, I pulled out of his arms to stand up. I looked at his surprised face for a second before I bent down, tucked one arm under his legs and the other behind his back, bent my knees, and picked the heavy-ass dragon up.
Okay, he really was heavy, but I was a fucking dragon too.
He yelled out in surprise, laughing as his arms wrapped around my neck, his smiling face looking up at me.
