“That’s it. Breathe with me,” I murmur while I bring a hand to her face, cupping her cheek.
As soon as she gets enough air in her lungs, a broken sob bursts from her.
Not giving a flying fuck that I’ll get in trouble, I lift Aurora bridal style into my arms and carry her out of the warehouse.
“What happened?” Abbie shrieks from where she’s still tied to the chair.
Aurora whimpers through a sob as she curls closer to me, her arms wrapping tightly around my neck.
“Shh… you’re okay,” I say as I step into the hallway and head for my suite.
My heart is still pounding against my ribs as if it’s trying to get to Aurora.
None of what’s happening around me registers, there’s only the woman in my arms.
The past weeks I’ve had to train her have been downright torture. I’ve had to fight my feelings for her constantly, and the fucking emotions just kept growing.
Every time she accomplishes something, my chest fills with pride.
Whenever she struggles, my protective side wants to jump in and help.
I’m forced to spend every day with her, and at night she’s in my dreams.
She’s driving me insane.
Reaching my suite, I lower her feet to the floor and let her lean against me while I dig the keycard from my pocket. The moment I have the door open, I move her into the room and kick the door shut behind me.
My arms wrap around Aurora as she cries uncontrollably.
“You’re going to be okay,” I say, hoping the words will calm her down.
Suddenly she pushes away from me, shaking her head as she covers her mouth with a trembling hand. She walks toward the window before changing direction and heading back to me.
Only when she moves past me do I realize she’s going for the door.
“No!” I grab hold of her and pull her toward my bedroom.
“L-let g-g-go.”
She struggles against my hold, but I drag her into the room without much effort. I shut the door and lock it, shoving the key in my pocket.
“Why?” she shouts as she yanks free from my hold.
I don’t have an answer, I only know I can’t let her leave.
Dodging the question, I say, “You need to calm down.”
Her eyes start to burn with anger as they lock with mine. “Calm down?” she gasps. “I’ve been going through hell since I got here, and on top of that, I have to deal with your shitty attitude. And then…” her face crumbles, and she closes her eyes before she forces the words out with a strained voice, “And then I get locked in a crate.” She shakes her head. “I’ve had enough. I can’t do this.”
“You can,” I bark, my tone unreasonably harsh.
She can’t give up.
She wraps her arms around her middle, and stepping closer to the door, she demands, “Unlock it.”
“No.”
“Misha!” she screams with so much desperation I almost lose my mind.