Page 33 of Dread’s Beloved

“Will you lay with me? Until I fall asleep.”

“Told you, anything you need. I got you.”

I lay next to her on my side, our noses nearly touching.

It doesn’t take long for sleep to find her. When I’m sure she’s out, I take a shower.

When I step out the shower, Knives is waiting for me. “What the fuck do you want?”

“Is she okay?”

“What do you think? Two people she cares about were murdered, and one of them was meant to be her. Then she has to leave her safety net without being given a chance to register what’s happening, and here you come with your bullshit and nonsense confusing her. She doesn’t need more drama right now.”

“That’s rich coming from you.”

“If you’ve got something to say then spit it the fuck out.”

“She wouldn’t have needed to come to me if you’d just given her what she needs.”

“Sex doesn’t fix everything, kid.”

He snorts. “No, but it sure as hell takes her mind off that shit and gives her something good to hold on to so when she sleeps, she has sweet dreams instead of fucking nightmares.”

“You done?” I stare him down. “Yeah, you’re done.”

“I care about her.”

“Then you should know she doesn’t need anyone fucking with her head now of all times.” My own words hit me straight in the gut because that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. Giving mixed signals. Being hot and cold. Fuck me.

I stomp back into the room and grab a pillow off the bed. I don’t even have a blanket. I sleep on the floor like the dog I’ve been acting like.

It’s cold and uncomfortable as fuck.

At some point I wake up shivering with Kitty leaning over the foot of the bed, staring at me. “What are you doing?”

“Seeing how long it takes to freeze my balls off,” I mutter.

“Is it working?”

I grab my crotch. “Still intact.”

She laughs. “Get into bed.”

“You gonna think I’m a pussy if I give in?”

“It’s late and we’re both tired. Just get up here. Though I’ve gotta warn you, this mattress is lumpy as fuck, yet hard at the same time. It’s weird.”

“We’re getting the fuck out of here tomorrow as soon as I get Dark on the phone.”

“Good,” she whispers.

She’s right. After an hour of both of us tossing and turning trying to get comfortable, I’m about ready to go back to the floor.

“We’re going to have to spoon if we’re going to get any sleep. Do you want to be the big spoon or the little spoon?” Kitty asks.

“What do you think?” I mutter. I’m tired and got a terrible fuckin’ case of blue balls.

She turns, pushing her ass to my crotch. Pure torture, but I wrap an arm around her and deal.