Page 48 of The Image of You

I slung my arm around her shoulders as we walked toward the private elevator. “It’s a Harley. It is powerful, but I’m careful. I’ll take it out soon. We’ll get you some gear, and you can come with me, if you want.”

“I would.”

“Good.”

I stayed busy during the day while she slept. I had hung my old sheets in the windows by the bed, hoping to at least dim the sunlight so she could rest.

It began raining midmorning, a fast-moving storm blowing through. She became restless, her body tense, her hands clenched. When she whimpered my name, I was done. Recalling her confession of hating storms, I lay beside her, drawing her into my arms, murmuring to her, assuring her she wasn’t alone.

“Adam,” she breathed out again, still asleep but on the verge of waking. But the tone had changed, and the sheer relief in her voice made me hold her close.

“I have you, Ally. You’re safe,” I crooned as she nestled closer.

“It’s just a little storm,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to her head. “Nothing to fear. The storm will end, but we won’t. You’ll never be alone again, Nightingale. I have you,” I repeated, smiling as she relaxed and drifted back to sleep. “I’ll always have you now.”

I liked her reaction to my closeness. I calmed her much the way she helped to center me. We were good for each other.

I held her, talking quietly about nonsensical things until the thunder stopped and I knew she could rest.

I was furious how often her phone rang. I grabbed it, lowering the volume so it wouldn’t disturb her. My mood got darker with every occurrence. Bradley and her mother were the two persistent callers.

They knew she worked all night, the selfish fuckers.

I worked on the computer, stepping into the hall when I needed to make calls, planning a few more changes in the loft.

I didn’t question my motives now. I wanted to look after her. It was important to me, because she was fast becoming the most important thing in my life.

When she woke up, we spent some time talking.

“What do you do when you’re not nursing people back to health?”

“I like to read, and I go to a lot of movies.”

“On your own?” I asked, even though I knew it was none of my business.

“Usually, yes. Sometimes with a friend.”

I resisted asking if that friend was female.

“Ah. And any other interests?”

“I do some volunteer work, go to yoga, that sort of thing.” She shrugged. “I like to cook and bake, and I take things into work to share. I’m a bit of an introvert.”

“I can relate to that.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Really?”

“Does that surprise you?”

She pursed her lips. “It does, actually. You seem too energetic to sit at home much.”

I found that an interesting choice of words. I certainly felt energetic around her. “Energetic?”

“You’re larger-than-life.”

“Does that scare you?” I asked, curious.

“No, I find you fascinating.”