page37 (1/2)

A nighthtly touched the tensedup with the ridge of his scar on his chin “Aleksy”

He clarip painful enough to

With a jolt he woke, but his grip stayed locked tight “Clair” He sounded…fraught, his tone de she answer

“Yes, it’s me” She tried to rotate her arm and ease his unbreakable hold “Where were you?”

He drew a shaken breath, letting his fingers loosen, then just as quickly caught her arhtly for daet ice” He released her and started to leave the bed

“No, I’ palm on his chest, startled to find it soaked with perspiration “You’re sweating Do you have nightmares often?”

“Never,” he replied shortly, dragging the corner of the sheet over hi her touch as he dried himself

S from his brush-off, she curled her fist into the blankets and drew the here I was just leaving, so…” She trailed off

He didn’t say anything

She waited too long Nausea clenched in her sto to protest and ask her to stay Aghast at herself for ns she was needed—or at least not unwanted—she forced her stiff lie of the bed Funny how she had spent years conquering feelings of bereft abandon never to set herself up for it, yet the tsunami of worthlessness could sweep over her as fresh and coldly devastating as ever

This was exactly why she avoided inti her to the brink of anguished rejection this easily This wasn’t supposed to happen