Page 27 of The Saviors: Part One

“Kai, I’ve already seen things I’ve never seen from you. You aren’t stupid, so keep following your instincts. They haven’t steered you wrong.” He jerks a nod. “I’m going to take her to bed. There is a spare room up there that I saw the last time I was here. Get some sleep, and we can talk about this more in the morning.”

He nods again, looking softly back at her.

I maneuver out from underneath her, then scoop her up in my arms. She doesn’t even wake up, just snuggles into my chest. Damn, that feels good.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” I tell Kai before I head upstairs.

I gently lay her down and then strip down to my boxers. I slide in and sling the sheet over us both, bundling her back to my chest.

She stretches her arm over my chest and gives a little contented sigh. I can get used to this.

Tomorrow is the start of something I truly feel is going to be out of this world amazing.

Chapter9

Chelsea

Iwake up panicked that Sean left again. It makes me smile when I realize that he’s still here, and I’m draped over his naked chest.

I slide out of bed slowly so I don’t wake him and head to the bathroom to shower off the night before. I reek of alcohol and have a disgusting taste in my mouth. I leave the door cracked to let out some steam, undress, and step under the spray.

While I go through the routine of washing and conditioning my long hair, I let my mind run wild.

Sean told me flat out that he wants a relationship with me, and even though that scares the shit out of me, I want that too. But I can’t help but wonder if I’m moving too fast. I went years staying secluded, afraid of my own damn shadow. Then in walks the first guy that I’ve found attractive since Brady, and I’m running headlong into a relationship after swearing it was just a one-night stand. The disappointment that morning, after I realized he was gone, tells me how big of a lie that was.

Also, where was Sean going with his questions about Kai and me finding each other attractive? Did that really happen, or did I dream that up in my drunken state? What does it even matter if I find him attractive if Sean and I are going to try to be together?

Kai is attractive, though, and not just with his looks. He might be huge, but he has a gentle presence around him, almost like a big teddy bear. His dark eyes hold so many secrets, just like my own. What happened to him to get those scars? The one across his neck shows how close he was to dying, and the ones on his face were done out of anger. I know how that feels, and my heart hurts for him since he went through it too.

Finishing my shower, I step out, wrap my hair in a towel, and go to the sink to brush my teeth. I’m humming under my breath the whole time, feeling lighter than I have in a very long time. When I’m done, I wrap another towel around my body and go in search of clothes.

When I step out of the bathroom, Sean is sitting up against the headboard, fire burning in his blue eyes.What the hell?

“Who the fuck did that to your back?” he growls.

I can feel the color drain from my face, and he’s out of the bed in a flash. I instantly recoil out of habit, and he takes a step back. He must have seen through the crack in the door. I’m so fucking stupid for leaving it open with him here. I didn’t want him to see them like this. I know he would eventually, but I’m not ready to explain how fucked up my marriage actually was.

“I’m sorry, Gorgeous,” Sean says quietly, his body still trembling with rage.

“For what?” I whisper.

“I shouldn’t have come at you like that. But I got so fucking mad thinking about someone hurting you.”

I try to smile and get my muscles to unlock. I’m frozen to the floor, clutching the towel to my chest like a lifeline. “It’s okay.”

His face turns thunderous again. “That’s so far from fucking okay, Chelsea. Who did this to you?”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to talk about it. Can I get dressed, please?” I escape to my closet before he can answer and shut the door. I slide down onto my ass, all my strength leaving me at once.

I can’t tell him about Brady. Not yet. I barely know Sean. Hell, I don’t even know what he does for a living. Will he even still want me when he realizes how much baggage I actually have? It’s so much to unpack, and none of it’s pretty. Sean doesn’t scream relationship material to begin with. Now he’s stuck with a broken girl covered in scars and a mind that constantly sends her into a tailspin. This is the whole reason I chose to be a hermit.Damn Amber and her dragging me to High Flyer.

I swipe the tears from my cheeks, get to my feet, and get dressed. When I walk into my room, Sean is sitting on the side of the bed, dressed, and staring at his hands. He looks up, and his face is unreadable.

“I need you to tell me who did that.”

“Sean, I…”

“No, Chelsea. Someone hurt you, and I can’t let that stand. Who did it?” He stands up, and I back up until my back hits the wall. Hurt flashes across his face. “I’m not going to hurt you.”