Page 46 of Rules

“It’s my bed.”

“But I’m sleeping in it,” I point out.

Looking over his shoulder, his gray eyes find mine in the darkness. “Firecracker, it’s my bed. Either you sleep in here, with me, or you go and find another place to stay.”

My mouth parts, but no words come out. Is he for real? Apparently, he is because he lies down, pulling the blanket to cover his almost-naked body.

Jumpy, I move, leaving one big gap between us.

“What will it be, Brook?” He turns to his side, leaning against his forearm. “Are you staying or are you leaving?”

A challenge shines in his eyes. Puffing a breath of air, I pull more of the blanket to cover myself.

“I’ll stay,” I say, lying down. “But only because I’m already warm and cozy.”

“Sure thing, babe.” Max grins. “Whatever you say.”

I glare at him, although I’m not sure if he can even see it, before making a point and turning my back to him. Fluffing the pillow, yet again, I lay my head down and close my eyes.

It’s weird, sleeping next to him. Even with all the space between us, I can feel him there, behind me. I can feel his body heat radiating and warming me. His scent, that was only a faint reminder of whose bed I’m sleeping in, now surrounds me, entering my every pore.

I’m prepared to spend the night in his bed, granted wide awake, just to prove a point. Prove to Maximillian Sanders that he doesn’t affect me in the slightest, but surprisingly, I manage to fall asleep.

Chapter Sixteen

MAX

Soft murmurs enter my sleep-induced mind. At first, I think it’s all a dream, but when I roll over to go back to sleep, my body collides with another one, jolting me awake.

Brook…

“Go away… Please, go…” Her whimpers are small, almost inaudible, her body thrashing on the mattress, restless.

“Brook?” I call her name, but she doesn’t answer. She’s in too deep. Lost in her dreams. Lost in hernightmares.

What the hell happened to you, Brook?

This isn’t the first time I’ve asked myself that question, but I’m not even an inch closer to figuring it out. I always knew the girl had a chip on her shoulder. I knew bits and pieces of her story—wrong side of town, problematic family life, not many friends—but seeing her like this makes me realize that it is just the tip of the iceberg, and something much, much worse is hiding underneath.

Wrapping my arms around her, I pin her body to mine. Only it doesn’t calm her like I thought it would. She resists my touch, struggling to get out of my hold.

“No! Please, no! Let me go. Let me go!”

My gut clenches, her fear palpable and growing stronger with each plea, but I don’t let go. If I do, I know she’ll be lost to me.

“Shhh, it’s okay. You’re safe.”

I intertwine my legs with hers to prevent her from kicking me, and my arms hold hers pressed against her sides.

“It’s okay, Brook.” Wiggling one of my hands free, I move a wild strand of her hair out of her face. “You’re safe.”

I chant those words over and over again, my voice low and soothing.

Her back is pressed against my front so hard I can feel every soft, slender curve of her body.

So small.

So vulnerable.

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