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I hugged myself around him, his powerful body between my thighs.

He walked us into my apartment, kicking the door closed. “Put in your code.” He moved me, so I could enter the security number into the panel. He clicked the lock into place and carried me toward the hall that led to my bedroom.

Once we were in my room, he placed me gently on my bed and released me completely. “Why did you call instead of text me?”

I swallowed hard.I don’t know. It was like my fingers had a mind of their own.

He gave me a small smile and placed a kiss on top of my head. “Get in bed, babe.”

I did as I was told, watching him move around my room. It was nothing fancy. It didn’t even hold much that could remind anyone of me. But what it did have, and it was something I would never get rid of, were my books. Two bookcases sat near the farthest wall, and they were stacked with layers upon layers of all different types of books. The only genre I didn’t have on the shelves currently was romance. I never thought it could happen to me when parts of me were stripped away so easily but after meeting Cyrus, I found that I wanted to venture into that genre.

Cyrus stopped in front of one of the shelves and pulled a book off of a shelf.

When he turned toward me, my stomach did a flip.Did I ruin your night?

“Not at all. I couldn’t sleep anyway. Not that I sleep much as it is. But I had a feeling something was wrong.” He joined me on the bed, sitting on the edge and placing the book he chose in front of me. “This one okay?” he asked, pulling off his hoodie.

When his t-shirt had lifted with the movement, I saw the scars lining his back. Before I could stop myself, I reached over and traced my fingers along the light pink bumpy edges.

His body stiffened, his head turning. “They’re just from fighting.” He moved to the spot beside me, pulling me into his arms. “I promise that they’re not from anything else.”

I must have looked concerned because he chuckled.

“Thank you for worrying about me.” He pulled me against him, his front to my back. “Not used to having a beautiful woman concerned for my health.” He reached over and picked up the book. “I haven’t read this one.”

It was a classic,Jane Eyreby Charlotte Brontë. I’ve read it so many times that I had to tape the pages to keep them from falling out.

I sat forward, turning toward him.It’s really good.

Cyrus smiled. “Good, then come here and I’ll read it to you.”

My eyes widened.

“Here. In my arms, pet. You had a nightmare. I’m going to read you a bedtime story to help you fall back asleep and then I’ll cook you breakfast later.”

I searched his face for a sign. Of what I wasn’t sure. That he would hint for more? That he would take something without me willingly giving it to him? No, he wouldn’t do any of that. It wasn’t like he hadn’t had chances already.

Cyrus frowned, his brows narrowing in the middle. Something flashed behind his dark eyes, something dark and sinister.

Before I could look away, his hand was at the back of my neck.

“I want you to know something, Ainsley,” he growled, the deep rumble of his voice sending tingles racing all over my body. “I am not them. I am not the people who hurt you. I am the monster in your darkest shadows, protecting you, taking care of you, making sure that you’re safe. I am patient. Some could say that I’m too patient. Who the fuck knows, but you know what? I don’t give a shit. Not about them. Not about anyone. The only one I care about and who I hope appreciates my patience, is you.” He tugged me forward, our mouths only an inch away from each other. “You hear me?”

I nodded quickly, unable to take my eyes off of his handsome, rugged face.

“Good girl.” He placed a soft peck on my mouth before releasing me. Sitting back, he opened the book and cleared his throat. “I’m waiting,” he said, raising an eyebrow.

A laugh escaped me. I moved to the spot beside him, pulled the blankets up and over us, and rested my head on his chest.

“Much better.” He kissed the top of my head, circled an arm around my waist, and began reading.

Ainsley

Iwoke sometime duringthe night, vaguely aware of Cyrus lying beside me. I was in between being awake and not awake. His deep voice rumbled through me. He was talking to someone. Was he on the phone?

Before I could ask who he was talking to so late, I fell back asleep. When I awoke later that morning, I was met by sunshine. The beams of light heated my face. For the first time in years, I actually had a good sleep. I felt at peace. Not completely but at least enough to wake up with a smile on my face.

I sighed, stretching my arms out under my pillow.