Page 113 of Illicit Games

“Shh… It’s okay,” he whispers, yanking me flush as his face becomes blurry. My tears soak his shirt as I sniffle low. “It’s okay. You’re never alone, as long as you have me.”

He keeps holding and kissing me as I break down. When I shiver from the cold night air, his arm winds around my waist and picks me up.

“I don’t want to go inside,” I tell him, panicking.

“Not sending you back, Rainbow.” The car unlocks and his body dips as he slides inside. I lift my head from hisneck to notice we’re in the back seat. Laying me down on the comfortable leather, he places my head on his lap. “Rest. I’m right here.”

I lace my fingers through his resting against my chest, while his other hand runs through my hair. The sensation melts the lingering nerves away. Our steady breathing fills the car’s interior like a lullaby. Being here with him is a million times better than lying alone in my bed.

As my fingers graze his wristwatch, I become aware of his clothes and go still. “Did you never go home, Kian?”

“No. I didn’t want to be far, in case you needed me. I also can’t sleep without having you in my arms.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you would’ve asked me to stay and I didn’t want to make your parents uncomfortable by spending the night.”

Of course I would’ve demanded he stay with me. The thought of him sleeping in his car all night brings a pang to my chest. All because I might need him.

But wait… I’ve been here for a week.

“Kian,” I gasp, sitting up and cupping his cheek. “Have you been sleeping out here every night?”

His features soften. “Baby…”

“Oh my god!” A tremor shoots down my spine. This crazy, crazy man. It would’ve been awful for him to sleep in this cramped space. Yet he did it for me.

What did I do to deserve him?

He brushes the concerned lines with the pad of his fingers from my temple and murmurs, “I’ve spent nights in far worse places, Rainbow. Don’t worry about it.”

I know he’s mentioning his time in the Army.

Still, that was a long time ago.

“How could you not tell me? You couldn’t possibly be getting any sleep or rest. I know you haven’t been eating enough either.”

“Iris.”

“Don’t Iris me,” I scold him. Had I not called him tonight, he probably would’ve never told me. “I don’t know whether to kiss you or slap you.”

“Kiss me,” he begs, hauling me onto his lap. “Even mad, kiss me.”

I do kiss him, but I’m not mad at all.

He’s perfect.

“I missed your fire,” he rasps, clutching me like a lifeline. “How could I go back to an empty bed and sleep peacefully while I’m worried sick that I’m not able to lessen your pain or fix what’s causing it?”

“When I’m in your arms, I’m never in pain.” My voice is soft yet fierce. “I’m coming home tomorrow.”

“Stay at your parents’ as long as you want to, Rainbow. I’ve lived in worse conditions than a car. I’ll be fine.”

“No. I wanted to stay until we went through mydadu’sbelongings, which we did today. It was emotional and hard. It was also what I needed. My mom and dad have each other. I’ll keep visiting them. But I want to get back to my life, which is you. It’s what mydaduwould’ve wanted too.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.” Burrowing against his chest, I close my eyes. “You’re all I need to get through this.”