“How do you know?” She places one hand on my shoulder while the other—unconsciously, I suspect—rubs along my neck as she searches my eyes for answers.
“How do I know what, blue eyes?” Christ, I could get lost in her gaze for days at a time.
“How do you know this might be love?” All her insecurities are simmering just below the surface.
Reaching up, I cup the back of her neck as I bring her head down to mine. “Because I feel it in my bones. You ease my own fears. My heart s
kips a beat when you enter a room.” Her breath hitches. “I just know.” I utter the words against her lips before delving in deeper. The kind of kiss I’ve been dying to give her since the day we met.
I allow her to explore my mouth in such an innocent fashion that I can’t control the reaction she evokes in my dick. I know the exact second she feels it pressing into her thigh, too. Her body freezes, and she stops breathing.
Opening her eyes, she pulls away only enough to remark, “He’s safe,” before pressing our mouths together again. Fusing us like magnets.
I get the feeling I’ll be hearing those two words a lot more in the immediate future. I look forward to showing her just how safe I can be.
Chapter 12
Kol
Thea fell asleep on the short drive home, so as I’m carrying her inside, she curls up into me, surrendering to me her fragile trust, and I know I’ll treasure it forever. “Can we talk?” she mumbles as I’m about to head upstairs with her.
Gazing down at her sleep-filled eyes, I nod, redirecting us to the couch, and I get the feeling she wants to talk here because of what she told me. Her fear of beds is as real as anyone’s fear of spiders. To me, it may seem odd, but I won’t dismiss it either.
“What do you want to talk about?” I sit with her in my lap.
I feel Thea inhale deeply, and when she does speak, I’m surprised at the topic. “I know you’ve been holding something back from me, Kol. I’ll have to relay my story, won’t I?”
The resignation in her tone is prominent. “Yes. I wish I could stop this conversation from happening, but I can’t.”
“I know.” She pats my chest. “I have a favor to ask, though. I don’t want you in the room at that time.”
Hurt, I ask, “Why not?”
Thea turns her body so that she’s sitting facing me with her legs on either side of my hips and our faces are mere inches apart. “Because, I have to talk about the worst time in my life, and I know that when you hear the details, nothing will stop you from finding Richard and doing something you’ll regret. I’ll regret.”
“Thea…”
“I don’t want you going to prison for me, Kol.” Tears gather on her eyelids, and I’ll do anything to make them disappear.
“Okay, Thea. I won’t be involved.” Not in the initial interview. “But you have to let Noah in there.” I won’t compromise on that. She needs someone in there that will have her best interests at heart.
“I can do that,” she says reluctantly.
“Thank you.” Pulling her into my chest, we sit for a while and enjoy the connection that can’t be broken between us. “You ready for bed?” I have every intention of bringing her up to my bedroom. She’s not sleeping on this couch.
“Yes.” As she stands, she looks around the room. “Is there a linen closet? I can make the couch up myself.”
Standing, I grasp her hand in mine and say, “You’re not sleeping here, Thea. You’ll come up to bed with me. I’ll help you fight this fear.”
Staring at the stairs, she takes a sharp intake of breath before nodding her head. “He’s safe,” she reassures again, and I can’t help but grin.
I’m safe, now.
My thoughts, not so much.
Thea
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