Page 83 of Before and After

What would happen to Ollie?

My chest tightened. He needed me. I couldn’t leave him alone.

Shivers started and this time I couldn’t stop them. I wrapped the towel tightly around myself. Staggering out of my bathroom, I curled up on my bed. I’d be fine in a minute. I would get a grip on this.

I would.

I wasn’t sure how long I lay there, but then I heard the creak of my door. Caden uttered a low curse, then the next thing I knew, his big, strong body curled around mine.

I lifted my head off the pillow.

“Shh.” He wrapped his arm around me.

Finally, I felt warm.

I felt safe.

I snuggled into the pillows, into him, feeling secure under the heavy weight of his arm.

“You’re safe,” he murmured. “No one is going to hurt you.” His lips pressed to my hairline.

Only my brother had ever protected me. He’d been the only person I’d trusted to be there for me, no questions asked.

Now, I leaned into Caden’s strength.

Just for just a few minutes. Then I’d get up and get myself together.

Warm and cocooned, I drifted off to sleep.

I woke with a jerk,my pulse racing.

It took me a moment to orient myself and realize that I was in my bed.

Safe.

I was safe. I wasn’t stuck in the trunk of a car, or tied up in a dirty warehouse.

Blowing out a breath, I tried to shake off the disquiet. I knew my brain needed time to process what had happened, but I needed to remind myself that I was all right.

Slowly, I started to feel better. I noted that I was alone, although the pillow beside me held the dent of Caden’s head.

Now, every thought of my abduction was replaced with the memory of Caden’s big body curled around me as I drifted off to sleep.

Where was he?I glanced at the clock on my bedside table and saw that it was still the middle of the night. My room was draped in shadows. I knew he wouldn’t have left me.

Climbing out of the bed, I tightened the towel around my body and padded into the living room. I spotted his silhouette sitting on the couch, staring out the window.

Staring at what? Remembering what?

As soon as I took a step toward him, his head lifted.

“Allie? You okay?”

“Yes, I just woke up alone.” I crossed over to him, then without stopping to think, I straddled him and settled on his lap. I felt the flex of his powerful muscles beneath me, and his hands gripped my hips over the towel.

“That’s better.” I melted against him, my face pressed to his neck. He was so warm. His shirt was soft against my chest and the denim of his jeans was rough on my bare legs.

His hands moved up my back, stroking.