“That’s going to have to work. Sorry, I’m too tired to go back and forth on this.” Shane’s gaze flicked to me, an awareness of my discomfort lingering in his eyes.
I stood there, helpless, as Shane paid and collected the keys. I remained frozen even as they turned to leave the office.
“Amelia! Are you coming?” Sabrina called back to me; concern tinged with impatience.
I blinked. I could sleep in the car, but I craved the comfort of a bed. With a sigh, I slumped my shoulders in defeat. “Sure.” I followed them into the enveloping darkness.
Shane handed Caiden the key to our room, and I watched as they disappeared inside, leaving me alone with the beast.
THE PRESENT
AMELIA
“Are you coming, or are you just going to lie out here in the dark?” Caiden’s voice cut through the air. He stood in the threshold, one hand braced against the chipped doorframe, his posture rigid.
I hugged my arms across my chest, feeling the last warmth drain away. “Sleeping out here in the dark is more appealing than staying in that room with you.”
He sighed, the slam of the door echoed. Anger coiled in my gut, a thing demanding release. But I bit back the eruption, squared my shoulders, and tapped once on the scuffed wood.
When the door finally creaked open, Caiden’s dark eyes met mine. They looked like cold embers in a spent fire.
I forced a polite tilt of my head. “Thank you.” I stepped inside.
The room was cramped and bare: a single, rumpled bed centered against a peeling wallpaper wall; a small nightstand with a flickering lamp; a boxy television perched on a cheap dresser; and a tiny door leading to an equally small bathroom.
Just the barest bones of a place to crash.
Still, I didn’t feel saved. The place felt more like a trap. Four walls closing in on me, a cell where I’d be forced to breathe the same anxious air as Caiden all night.
We avoided each other’s eyes as we took turns in the bathroom, our feet padding over the thin blue carpet, water dripping from the faucet like a metronome. We might have been older now, butdefensiveness made us dance around each other like frightened children.
I cleared my throat and decided to shatter the silence. “So, which one of us is going to sleep on the floor?”
He leaned against the dresser, arms crossed. “What makes you think I’d do that?” His tone was teasing, dangerous.
“There’s no chance I’m sharing that bed with you. I’m the lady, remember? I deserve the mattress.”
Caiden’s scoff was short and harsh. “Maybe if you acted like one. Sleep on the damn floor then.” He dropped onto the edge of the bed, flexing his fingers as though that small victory fueled him.
My anger flared hotter. Flames licking at my chest, screaming into my blood.
“Seriously? You’re such—” I managed before he snapped back.
“Ungrateful bitch,” he spat, springing to his feet. “I risked my neck to get you away from that dirtbag. Forgive me for not rolling out a red carpet after you bitched me out.” His eyes glowed with accusing fire.
Exhaustion blunted my retort. I turned on my heel and yanked open the little closet cabinets. No extra blankets, just the thin bedspread and two lumpy pillows.
I grabbed one, pounded it flat, and dropped it onto the carpet. My back already throbbed at the thought of sleeping on the floor, but I forced myself to appear indifferent, even as a hurt ache settled behind my ribs.
The girl I’d once been wanted softness, wanted safety in someone’s arms. I shut my eyes, willing down the sting of unshed tears.
The lamp clicked off. Darkness pooled around me. I lay on the thin pillow, listening to Caiden’s breathing. Steady, untouchable.
The rough carpet pressed cold against my shoulder blade.
I turned over once, twice, searching for comfort that refused to come. Finally I sat up and peered at the bed, studying his still form. My eyelids felt heavy, my muscles screaming for rest.
Quiet as a shadow, I slid across the floor and eased myself onto the mattress, inching as far from him as possible. When the springs groaned under my weight, I froze.
