Page 102 of Guarding Grace

Gun up, I advanced quickly and silently to Grace’s door. How many were there? Victor wasn’t stupid enough to send one man alone.

Tortured moans came from inside the room. “No. No.”

Taking a deep breath, I flung the door open and buttonhooked in.

There were no attackers.

Grace thrashed under the covers. “No. No.”

Making my weapon safe, I left it and my NVG headset on the dresser. I leaned over and gently jostled Grace’s shoulder. “Wake up. You’re having a?—”

Her arm flung out and hit me in the face before I could react. “Get off me.”

“It’s a nightmare,” I said, grabbing the arm she’d flailed. “You’re having a nightmare.” I grasped her other shoulder. “You’re safe, Kitten. I’m here.”

“Terry?” One second, she was a banshee in the grips of a nightmare. The next, she clung to me.

Man, she packed a punch. My lip stung from the hit. “Yes, Grace. It’s me. You’re safe. Nobody’s going to get you.”

“They were going to shoot…” She sobbed.

“Nobody’s shooting anyone.” I pulled her up and rubbed her back. “It’s okay. You’re okay. It was just a nightmare.”

The more I talked, the tighter she clung to me. Slowly, her sobs faded.

“I’ll let you get back to sleep now,” I said, trying to untangle myself from her. I slept naked, and her hands on my skin gave my cock all the wrong ideas.

“Don’t go.” She tightened her grip.

“I have to.” Remembering Lucas’s caution, I’d pledged to be the gentleman.

“No, you don’t. I won’t be able to sleep if you leave.”

“I’ve got to.” She was making this fucking difficult.

“I won’t be safe alone. I just know it. Don’t leave me.”

That was a problem, because I couldn’t guarantee she’d be safe from me if I stayed.

“Please. I need you to hold me.”

With a deep breath, I gave in. “I’ll be right back. Let me get something to wear.”

“Okay.” She let me loose from her octopus-like grasp.

I stood, suddenly conscious of my hard-on, and aware that I didn’town anything strong enough to contain my straining dick, so going to my room and staying there would be the safest thing to do.

“But if you don’t come back, I’m coming to your room,” she added, as if reading my thoughts.

That eliminated my plan B. “I’ll be right back.”

After forcing my hard-on into boxer briefs, I knew self-control was going to be a problem. But I kept my word and returned to her room.

I found her chugging from a bottle of wine. “You’re going to regret that.”

She set it on the nightstand. “I need it to help me get back to sleep.”

After moving the bottle out of her reach, I climbed under the covers to join her. So much for keeping my distance.