Page 28 of While He Breathes

Since leaving LA, I genuinely tried to convince myself that everything I felt for Orion was in my head, and that there’s no way he could have actually been so thoughtful and caring while also playing my body like his own personal instrument.

But now, looking up at him, I can admit that I was lying to myself.

“Come on, Little Flame. Let’s get some sleep, and we’ll talk some more in the morning. How does that sound?”

“Like you’re not really giving me a choice at all.”

“You’re right, I’m not.” He rolls onto his side and drags my body against him. “I’m not going to let you get away again, Ember. I suggest you get used to the idea.”

Begrudgingly, I allow my body to relax into his. The warmth he emits is more comforting than I would like to admit, and as I drift off to sleep, I realize this is the safest I’ve felt since the night I ran away from the only city I’ve ever called home.

Consciousness returns slowly, and it takes too long for me to realize I’m still plastered against Orion’s warm body.

At some point in the night, I turned into him. Now my cheek is pressed to his bare chest, and he’s holding onto me like he’s afraid I’ll slip away in the dead of night.

Which is probably a fair concern to have.

Now that sunlight streams in through the open window, I need to figure out a way to get out of here without Orion chasing me down, which he will absolutely do given the chance.

I took my last sleeping pill the night before the auction because my anxiety and need to kill the man currently wrapped around me was too strong to sleep through, and I caved.

I’ve been relying on them less and less the last month, and so I hadn’t bothered to refill my prescription. Something I very much regret because knocking him out may be the only way I get out of this room without Orion attached to me at the hip.

I press against his chest softly, trying to dislodge him, but he only drags me closer to him. His very hard cock presses against my lower belly, and I groan. Why does he have to be so fucking attractive and hung to boot?

“Go back to sleep,” Orion mumbles.

“I need to pee,” I whisper. “Let me up, and I’ll come right back.”

If he spots the lie, he doesn’t say anything as he grumbles and reluctantly allows me to slip out of his arms.

I make it into the bathroom and lean against the door for long seconds. Being so close to that man makes it hard to think.

While I try to concoct a plan, I take care of business and brush my teeth. Something about the repetitive motion has always helped me think, and when I catch sight of the robe hanging on the back of the door, I can’t help but smirk.

The Hunter is about to get a taste of his own medicine.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

ORION

For the first time in months, I slept for more than an hour at a time, and I feel like a new man.

Or maybe that’s because I have my woman back in my arms, where I know she’s safe and no harm can come to her.

Sun streams through the open blinds, and I don’t bother squashing the smile that tugs at my lips, knowing Ember would have loved seeing the LA skyline as she woke up.

Fuck, I’m a simp for this woman, and I don’t even care.

I move to stretch out before going in search of Ember, but quickly find my body immobile, setting my instincts on edge.

My eyes fly open and meet those of my very amused little flame standing at the end of the bed, her gaze dancing with mischief.

“Ember,” I rumble and tug at my hands that I now realize are tied to the headboard with what I think is the tie of the robe Ember has draped around her shoulders.

“Yes, Orion?” She tilts her head to the side with a smirk.

“What are you doing?”