Page 104 of Renascence

“What does it look like?”

“Do you really expect me to sleep in the same bed with you?”

“My room, my bed. With everyone here, it’s not like I can go sleep somewhere else.” I cross my arms over my chest, ready to argue. “I ain’t sleeping on the floor, either. Fuck that shit.”

I roll my eyes, holding myself back from stomping my foot like a petulant child.

“I have some clothes in the chest of drawers if you need anything.”

“I….”

I can’t find any words. How does he know? How can he infuriate me with one sentence, then make me want to kiss him in the very next one? Trying to hold on to my anger, I search the drawers until I find some gray sweatpants. I pull them on, trudging to the other side of the bed, then lie down with my back to him at the very edge, dangerously close to falling off.

“What are you doing all the way over there?”

“In case you didn’t notice, I’m mad at you,” I reply.

“You need to get fucked, Em?” he asks in that annoyingly sexy voice that’s both exasperating and arousing right now. Especially since he’s laughing.

“No.”

“You sure?”

“Positive,” I reply through gritted teeth.

“You could sit on my face.”

Images of the first time he made me do that flash in my mind. I was nervous, but the hunger in his eyes as I stared down at him made everything disappear.

“Or you could hang your head over the side of the bed so I can fuck your throat.”

I cross my legs under the covers, memories of that very act attacking my brain. God, the way he’d slid into my mouth, gripping my breasts as he went deeper each time. Closing my eyes, I try to block the mental images. I know exactly what he’s doing and I won’t fall for it.Iwillstay mad at him, goddamnit!

“Or… you can come over here and let me hold you in my arms and comfort you.”

There it is, the sentence that begs me to plant my lips on his. I turn to face him, lips trembling, tears brimming in my eyes. His tattooed chest calls to me and I answer, giving in and letting go of my anger. As usual, he knows exactly what I need. I settle against him, breathing in his scent. He strokes my hair, the action calming me even more.

“I’m sorry this happened to you, darlin’. If I could take away your pain, I would. All I want is for you to be happy.”

“I know. I’m sorry, too… for snapping at you.”

“I don’t care about that. Do whatever it is you need to do to feel better.”

I wiggle closer, making him shift slightly to his side to better accommodate me. Both hands wrap around me, filling me with the now familiar sense of safety I’ve only felt in his arms. Regardless of the things he’s done and will do, that hasn’t changed. He’s still my safe place. My sanctuary.

“Raven told me what happened to her. Ellen, too.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m not sure if they wanted me to see my situation could be worse, or that you’ll sort everything out. That I should trust you the way they trusted Gage and Einstein.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s the latter. If anyone knows what we’re capable of, it’s those two women.”

“Liam, I think we should talk to the police.”

“No, Emily. No cops.”

“Why?”