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“Too bad. You’re getting it.”

His jaw tightened. He didn’t want Shelby to be grateful to him. He wanted her drawn to him. He wanted her to turn to him when she needed anything. He wanted her trust.

Basically, he just wanted her.

He heard her breathing even out. He was still staring at the ceiling when she slipped back into her dreams.

It wasn’t a scream that caught his attention. It was a whimper. He was still staring at the ceiling, his body alert and focused, and her faint whimper pierced right through him. Hunter stood up, immediately going for the bed.

The soft glow from the night light allowed him to see her. She’d kicked the covers aside. Her hands were fisted. And her head thrashed against the pillow.

He could feel her fear, and that shit just wasn’t going to keep happening. She needed sleep. Good, deep, healing sleep. She’d had a bullet gouge into her arm. She’d nearly died on the street.

It was his job to take care of her.

With no hesitation, he slid into the bed beside her. He wanted to comfort her before she started screaming. To try and make her understand that she was safe.

He eased closer to her. When one of her fists flew out, he just caught her hand in his grip.

She gasped. Her eyes fluttered open. “What? Hunter?”

“I’ve got you.” He did. He pulled her closer. Tucked her against him. Made certain that she could feel his body. That she knew he was there, surrounding her. Protecting her. “You’re not alone. No one will hurt you. I’m here.”

Her breath expelled in a rush. She went boneless against him and slipped right back into her dreams.

He pressed a kiss to the back of her head, kept holding her, and, soon enough, despite the fucking giant erection he had because he was in bed with Shelby…

Hunter slept.

Her eyes opened. Her breath whispered out. Light drifted through her curtains, and Shelby realized that she’d made it through the remainder of the night without any additional screams. Relief hit her hard as she realized that she actually felt rested. Like she’d slept and recovered, and a smile curved her lips as she⁠—

Someone is in bed with me.

A warm, strong hand covered her stomach, pressing to the silk of her gown. Her gaze followed that hand up to a powerful arm. Then to a broad shoulder. Then to…

“Morning, Shelby.” Hunter’s warm voice. “Ready to go catch a killer with me?”

Chapter Eight

“You…we…You and I are in bed together!” Shelby sputtered. Her hand flew out, she grabbed her hearing aid off the nightstand, and she shoved it in place on her ear.

Hunter’s hand, meanwhile, slipped away from her body. Had he meant to hold her while she slept? Yes. Had he meant to curl his body so completely around hers? Well…

Did that in my sleep. But when I woke up, it sure felt like heaven.

“When did you get in bed with me?” She’d sat up, and she jerked a hand through her hair.

Yeah, big problem. Shelby woke up looking gorgeous. Tousled hair. Gleaming eyes. She actually seemed rested, which was awesome. It was well past ten a.m. He’d turned off the alarm a few hours ago because what was the point in waking early? She’d needed sleep. Good sleep.

“Hunter?”

Oh, right. When had he gotten in bed with her…“I had a theory, remember?”

Her brows flew up, then down. “The theory was that we needed to sleep together?”

No. Yes. If only. “You’re taking fear into your dreams.”

She didn’t deny the charge.