“Lay a challenge at my feet and Iwillrise to the occasion,” Dash said. “I can fend off your seduction if I set my mind to it.”
Emerson laughed, taking Dash’s hand and leading them back to the cabin. “We’ll see about that.”
“I thought you were hungry?” Dash asked as they headed back.
“I can eat tomorrow,” Emerson replied.
13
Dash fought the alpha pinning him to the tiled floor, water sloshing all around them. He let out a roar, pushing with all of his might, but he wouldn’t budge. From his position under the hulking man, he was at a disadvantage. His bare heels sought purchase on the slick surface, trying to gain an advantage.
Before he could manage it, he was flipped onto his stomach and shoved against the hard, wet floor. He scurried forward but was dragged by the ankle back under the man. Weight crushed him and he struggled to breathe, his lungs burning.
“Nooooo!”Dash screamed, shoving both fists against the man holding him tight.
“Dash! You’re having a nightmare!”
Dash continued to shove the man away—until the realization that he was in bed, not the showers, finally hit.
“You’re having a nightmare!”
Dash stilled. He panted, looking up at Emerson’s worried expression.
Emerson caressed the side of his face. “You’re okay. It was just a nightmare.”
Dash blinked a few times, hating that Emerson had witnessed one of his nightmares. They didn’t happen as often as they used to, but perhaps their wild escape or their night shared together had brought it on. He hadn’t felt in control last night, which sometimes was a trigger.
Shaken, Dash pulled away from Emerson.
“Don’t do that,” Emerson murmured.“Come here.”
The fight wasn’t in him. Dash went limp, allowing Emerson to drag him closer. Instead of his anxiety rising as he’d expected, he melted into the alpha, his muscles loosening. Emerson tucked Dash’s head under his chin and rolled over onto his back. He pulled Dash with him.
Dash laid over Emerson’s warm body, his breathing slowly re-regulating. His ear rested over Emerson’s steady heartbeat, and his own soon matched it. Dash closed his eyes, dragging in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Minutes ticked by with nothing said. Emerson simply held him, running a soothing hand over his back.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Emerson asked.
Dash tensed. “No.”
“I won’t force you,” Emerson whispered.“Relax.”
Dash allowed his muscles to loosen again, focusing once more on Emerson’s heartbeat. He wasn’t sure how long they lay there in complete silence. He wasn’t sure if he hadn’t drifted off for a bit, either. All he did know was he’d never felt more at peace in his life.
How fucking cliché was he? A broken man suffering nightmares like some child.
Now made better because an alpha had entered his life.
Emerson’s hand stilled on his back. Dash sensed his breathing slow. He’d fallen back to sleep. Dash took advantage, lifting his gaze. His breath caught. Emerson was even more handsome with his features softened by sleep.
Why does he have to be so damned attractive?
Dash released an unexpected sigh. Heat filled his cheeks. Talk about cliché. Now he was sighing like some lovesick pup. The heat on his cheeks only burned hotter as Dash replayed all the many things he’d done with that attractive alpha the night before. Lust grew along with the replay, his cock soon rock hard. He slid off Emerson and stretched his well-fucked body, smiling and wincing at the tender spots. Tender or not, a shiver raced through him, his body ready for another round.
The one he’d hoped he’d get the night before, but Emerson had seemed perfectly happy to cuddle. And they’dhadto cuddle considering the narrowness of the mattress. He’d been sure he’d wake up on the floor.
He fought back a smile. No floor. He’d woken in an alpha’s arms—albeit amid a nightmare, but at least he’d had someone there to talk him down from it quickly. So quickly. Dash frowned, a bit disconcerted about how easily Emerson seemed capable of calming him. It wasn’t theonlything rattling him a bit. Emerson’s commands that night had been strange.
Not the commands themselves, but his reaction to them.
