Rudy’s grip tightened on my hand, and I saw a flash behind his eyes. “What do you need?”
“I just really need some sleep, is all.” My free hand covered another yawn.
He bobbed his head slowly, and a look of sorrow changed his features. “Right.”
Rudy tried to pull his hand away from mine, but I held tight. I could see that he was expecting me to leave, and I both loved that he didn’t want me to and hated the sadness in him at the thought of it. “Can I stay? Would it be okay if I restedhere? Rudy, being with you makes the shadows feel further away.”
His eyes rounded, and a crooked smile stretched his lips. “Yes!” He cleared his throat and spoke in a more reserved tone. “I mean, yes, of course. Uh, what, where, how?”
My lips stretched into a smile, and I couldn’t resist him any longer; he was just so fucking cute. The last time hadn’t ended as I hoped, but maybe without advanced warning, it might be okay. I leaned toward him and pressed a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth.Enough to make him draw in a sharp breath and for the wolf to peek through his eyes as I leaned back. It was a look I was really starting to enjoy.
Rudy closed his eyes and breathed deeply. When he opened them again, his blue eyes were fully human with a look of pride beaming through, and he gave me the sweetest smile. “I’m okay.”
I patted his cheek lightly and shared a smile with him. Choosing not to call attention to the fact that he was able to keep his wolf in check, I asked, “Can I just stay right here?”
“Yeah, of course. Do you want me to move? I can do something else.”
“No, Rudy. Stay, please. It’s nice to have you close; your presence is really comforting.”
That sweet smile that had been there a moment ago changed into a crooked one, looking incredibly adorable. He settled back into the corner of the couch, trying to give me as much room as possible. I kicked off my shoes and reclined against the other arm of the couch with my feet tucked between us.
He was stiff and tense beside me, but his steady breathing seemed to magically enchant me and remove the last bit of reluctance at falling asleep when all I wanted was to stay present with this incredible man. I felt myself sink, felt sleep pull me under, and for the first time since I’d arrived here, I was completelyat peace.
Beneath the layers of sleep, there was a hint of awareness as my legs were pulled straight, resting on top of a heat source that traveled through my body and into my chest, blooming from within. A heavy weight lay across my hip, making me feel safe and secure.
Dreams of shadows didn’t come. I wasn’t filled with a sense of dread. I merely slept. Slept in a warm cocoon, tucked away from any worries or cares. There was no sunlight shining through the window to give me a sense of time. I found tranquility in the timelessness, with complete trust that nothing would happen to me while I was here.
A loud pounding in the distance broke me from my cocoon, snapping me back to reality. I tried to sit up, but a hand held me in place. A low growl sounded beside me. In the twilight of waking from the deepest nap I’d ever had, it should have been a disconcerting sound, but the recognition of it made me smile in my still-waking state.
Another knock sounded, and I realized it came from the door. With my eyes blinking open, I saw my legs resting in Rudy’s lap and his hand on my side. My glasses, which I’d been wearing when I lay down, were now folded and sitting on the coffee table. The image of Rudy gently taking them off me and setting them aside made me sigh softly. Such a sweet gesture.
The knocking grew more urgent, and the man beside me let out a vicious snarl, curling his lips back,revealing elongated fangs. He roared out, “Go the fuck away!”
His hand never left my side, as if he was trying to make sure I didn’t try to flee from him, which made my heart do a little flutter.
“I’m sorry, Wolfie. I can’t do that. We have an emergency, and you haven’t been answering your phone. If you don’t come out, I’m going to have to come in.”
Rudy stiffened at my side, huffing deep breaths, and I could see the fight he was engaged in, torn between his responsibilities and not wanting to leave me. I sat up straighter and grabbed my glasses off the table. Rudy watched my every move in that in-between state of his where the wolf was moments away from coming out.
Reaching across to rest my hand on his arm, I said, “You should go. They need you. I’ll be fine.”
His eyes locked on mine, and I could see the gleam of his beast’s eyes give way to their natural piercing blue. Damn, that was cool. After exhaling long and slow, Rudy spoke in a soft tone, “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I feel a lot better, thank you for staying with me.”
An adorably sweet smile stretched across the bearded face next to me. “I’m happy you felt comfortable enough to rest.”
“I did.” I grinned as I pulled my legs out of his lap, realizing he must have positioned me like that. Rudy might have been hesitant to touch me or get too closebecause of his wolf, but he’d been able to push past all of that to take care of and watch over me while I slept. My heart no longer fluttered, it soared.
Reluctantly, he stood and stretched, his neck popping as he moved it from side to side. With his arms raised, I caught a glimpse of the black hair on his stomach, making me wish his shirt wasn’t so loose. Damn, what I wouldn’t give to see more of him.
A rumble in the back of his throat forced my gaze away from that sliver of skin, looking up at Rudy’s face. He was already so tall, and with me still on the couch, he towered above me, sending a thrill through me.
Rudy huffed out a laugh as his cheeks turned pink. “You gotta stop, or I'm not going to be able to leave.”
“Stop what?” I asked teasingly.
His nostrils flared, and his fists clenched at his sides. “Smelling like that.”
