Page 55 of Boots & Scars

"Come on," I murmured, gently shifting her off my lap. "Let's get you under the covers."

She nodded, allowing me to guide her to the bed. As she settled herself, she looked up at me with those big fucking eyes that haunted my dreams.

"Will you… will you hold me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I hesitated, not sure if it was the right thing to do. But the pleading look on her face was impossible to resist.

"Is that what you want?" I asked, my voice low and rough.

She nodded again. "I just want to feel safe," she said, her words hitting me like another punch to the gut.

I stiffened, not used to anyone telling me they felt safe around me. It was a foreign concept, one that I couldn't quite wrap my head around. But I couldn't say no, not after everything she'd been through.

Slowly, I crawled in next to her, wrapping my arms around her small frame. She felt so fragile, so delicate, and I was almost afraid to hold her too tightly.

"Is this all right?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, her eyes already closing. "You're comfortable, Cooper Sinclaire," she murmured, her words slurring slightly as exhaustion took over.

It wasn't long before soft snoring filled the room, and I knew she had fallen asleep. I lay there, holding her close, not wanting to leave her side.

But I knew that in an hour or two, I would have to have a long conversation with fucking limp-dick frat fuck.

17

Everly

Iwas drowning. Water pressed in on all sides, cold and unrelenting. Hands gripped my mouth, silencing my screams, and I thrashed against the weight. Panic clawed at my chest.

Suddenly, I woke up. My heart raced like it was trying to escape my ribcage. The room spun for a moment before my eyes focused on Cooper lying next to me.

He looked different in the dim light. His sharp features were softened by sleep, but there was still an intensity in his face that never seemed to leave him. The lines of old scars crisscrossed his cheeks, hints of battles fought and won.

Was this a dream too? I blinked hard, rubbing my eyes, trying to clear the remnants of terror from my mind.

I took a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. The air felt thick in my lungs as if I was still underwater. Cooper's presence grounded me, though. Without thinking, I reached out and touched him. His skin was warm under my fingers, reassuringly real.

He stirred slightly but didn't wake up. My hand lingered on his face for a moment longer before I pulled it back, suddenly self-conscious.

I slid out of bed, careful not to wake him. His breathing was steady, almost hypnotic in its rhythm. The hardwood floor felt cold against my bare feet as I made my way to the attached bathroom.

The bathroom was a sanctuary of marble and glass. Smooth white tiles covered the floor, leading to a large bathtub-shower combo framed by sleek chrome fixtures. A frosted window allowed soft morning light to filter in, casting gentle shadows that danced across the walls.

I moved to the shower and turned on the water, adjusting it until steam began to rise. The sound of water hitting the tiles was soothing, almost drowning out the chaotic thoughts in my head.

With a deep breath, I pulled off Cooper's shirt. The fabric clung to me for a moment before sliding off, leaving me standing there in just my underwear. I brought the shirt to my face and inhaled deeply. His scent surrounded me, a mix of cedar and something uniquely him. It made me feel safe, like an anchor in a storm.

I caught sight of myself in the mirror and forced myself to look at my bruised body. Dark splotches marred my skin, each one a reminder of what had happened to me. My breath caught in my throat, but I refused to look away. This was me now; this was part of my story.

The steam from the shower fogged up the mirror, blurring my reflection. It was a small mercy. I took one last deep breath and turned towards the shower.

The water was hot against my skin as I stepped in, but it felt cleansing. I let it cascade over me, washing away the remnants of fear and doubt that clung stubbornly to my mind.

As the water streamed down, I closed my eyes and let myself get lost in its warmth, if only for a moment.

The water pounded against my back, hot enough to sting. I grabbed the soap and began scrubbing my arms. As the lather built, memories forced their way in.

I was at the party, laughing with Zach and his friends. The room buzzed with music and chatter. Then, everything changed. I felt a hand on my shoulder, pulling me back into a darker corner of the house. The air smelled like stale beer and sweat.

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