Page 13 of Stay Here Forever

“I . . .” No words came to her, and she was embarrassed as her throat thickened, choking off any possible explanation. “I couldn’t⁠—”

Luke gently grabbed her arm and pulled her inside, wrapping his arms around her.

It felt like home.

Audrey sank into him, letting all her stress melt away, blending with the warmth of his body, protected in his embrace, cocooned from anything that might try and disturb her peace. It was that sense of rightness, of safety, that allowed the tears to begin falling, her guard coming down at last.

Luke reached behind her and shut the door before guiding her over to the settee, keeping his arm around her and her face pressed into his shoulder, never letting her go or feel alone. As he sank down onto the cushions, he pulled her close, settling her across his lap so she could once again bury her face in his chest as all her sorrow seeped out. Audrey wasn’t sure how long they stayed sitting, but Luke never let her go, hands slowly brushing along her head and neck, then up and down her back, muttering soft reassurances into her hair as he kissed the crown of her head. Eventually, her tears ran out, and she sat in peaceful silence, still within his embrace.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your evening,” she finally said, reluctantly breaking the moment. “I just couldn’t be in that house any longer.”

“I’m glad you came,” he said, his lips softly brushing her hairline as he cradled her head. “But how on earth did you find me? And please, for the love of god, tell me you did not come here by yourself in the dead of night.”

Audrey ignored his second question, having no answer that would please him, but answered the first. “I knew which building contained your brother’s flat. And the other day, when you were tired, you mentioned it was due to neighbors banging overhead, and that having to climb so many flights of stairs should be rewarded with a serene penthouse. It’s a five-story building, and from your complaints, I deduced your flat must compose the fourth floor.”

A chuckle sounded above her. “You clever girl. But imagine if you had gotten it wrong? It’s the middle of the night, Audrey. You need to have some concern for your own safety.”

She turned her face back into his chest, knowing his admonishment was deserved. Setting out on her own had been the height of foolishness, as London could be a dangerous place. She took a breath before speaking into his sternum. “I desperately needed to see you, it was worth the risk.”

Luke didn’t say anything immediately, but he let out a deep sigh and tightened his arms around her.

“Talk to me. What’s going on in that pretty head of yours. I know today couldn’t have been easy for you. Hell, it wasn’t easy for me, and I was only an observer to all the drama.”

The warmth of his body was taking a toll on her exhausted state, and Audrey wasn’t sure how much longer she could stay awake. The rhythm of his thumb brushing up and down her shoulder was lulling her into a trance-like state. “Can we talk tomorr—” The remainder of her question was swallowed by a large yawn, and laughter rumbled in Luke’s chest beneath her ear.

“Yes, we can talk tomorrow. Let me take you home.” Luke started to rise, bringing Audrey with him, and her eyes flew open in panic.

“Luke, no!” She clawed at his arms, clinging to him. “Please let me stay here. I know it’s not appropriate, but I can’t go back there right now. I can’t. Everything feels wrong.”

He leaned back into the settee to look in her eyes. “Does anyone know you are here?” She shook her head, and he let out another sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Audrey, you know I’ll do anything for you, but we need to think about your reputation.”

“What reputation? Luke, the entirety of the ton believes me to be a head case of a spinster. No one will care, and if they do, they won’t think any worse of me.”

Sadness made the lines around his eyes crinkle, and she wanted to cry from the beauty of him. Her gentle protector. But Audrey didn’t want him to feel sad for her. She reached up and ran her hand down the side of his face, he leaned in and nestled his cheek into her palm. “Please just let me sleep here tonight, and we can make a plan in the morning.”

Luke closed his eyes in defeat. “All right—you know I can’t deny you. And you clearly need both rest and, understandably, a reprieve from your brother. Take my bed, I’ll sleep by the fire.”

Beyond grateful, Audrey could feel a smile blooming across her face, the first since seeing Rufus that afternoon. “Thank you.”

They both stood, and Luke took her hand as he led her into the small bedroom. Audrey leaned down to remove her half boots and slid beneath the covers with a sigh of relief. Luke placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before taking the bedside candle and closing the door.

The sound of shouting woke Audrey, jolting her from the deep slumber that came with being emotionally exhausted. She peered around in the dark, trying to orient herself in the unfamiliar room, when another unintelligible exclamation stirred her to full alertness. Rising, she rushed to the door.

Pale moonlight filtered through the windows at the back of the parlor, revealing Luke thrashing about on the settee that he’d positioned near the now spent fire.

Moving forward quietly so as not to startle him awake, she watched as different emotions worked across his face, his brow now furrowed, entire body twitching.

“No!” he shouted, causing Audrey to nearly jump out of her skin as she bent over him, gently shaking his shoulder to bring him out of the dream.

“Luke,” she whispered. He started twitching again and tried to shy away from her touch. Retaining her grip, she shook him harder. “Luke!”

He came to with a start, breath rapid. His eyes were unfocused for a moment before settling on her, the panic leaving his face as his eyes swept over her. Then his eyes clouded over again as he looked down.

“Audrey . . .” Her name came out sounding broken. Luke went to cover his face, as if he were ashamed that she’d witnessed him in such a state.

“You stop that right now,” she said, pulling his fingers away from his eyes. Crouching before the settee so they were eye to eye, she rested her hand on top of his head until his breathing quieted.

“I’m sorry I woke you.” He spoke so softly that Audrey wasn’t sure she’d heard him fully. But she shushed him anyway.