Page 188 of Hide and Keep

“Stay the night with me,” he practically begs, gripping my arm tighter as he sits up.

“Why?”

“Because the safest place for you is in my arms.”

I scoff. “Just because you don’t want me in someone else’s, doesn’t make your arms the safest.”

“They’re the safest because I’d take on the world for you.”

“Is my father paying you enough for that?”

“No, he’s not… But I’d do it anyway.”

Finally, I lift my eyes to search his. Our heads seem to have some sort of gravitational pull, tugging us closer together.

“Why are you being like this?”

“Like what?”

Attentive. Amazing. Perfect.

“Nice.”

“Because the last person I failed to protect died. Tonight made me realize how much I don’t want that to happen to you.”

Genuine sincerity stares back at me.

“What happened tonight?” He didn’t see anything, did he? He didn’thearanything…did he?

“My reason for getting up in the morning was ripped away from me and there was nothing I could do to get her back.”

The pain in his features, raw and vivid, reveals what tonight was for him. It was torture. I still don’t understand why.

“It’s just a job, Major,” floats through my lips like a puffy cloud on a summer day—aimlessly.

“No, little bat, you’re not.”

Seeing the posters of Crue’s bed, my heart jumps into my throat, making it nearly impossible to breathe. I fell asleep.

I never fall asleep.

Shit. He’s gonna find me here and know how creepy I really am.

How did I let myself fall asleep? I was tired after everything last night—

Last night…

I didn’t sneak in here last night. Crue invited me into his room. He wanted me to stay the night. Begged me to.

I force my heart back down. I’m okay. He knows I’m here…this time.

Except now, he’s the one atmyback, his arm along my stomach, keeping me to him as he spoons me from behind.

“How long are you gonna make me wait?” I hear him ask in a thick voice.

Wait for what?

Pretending I’m still asleep, I stay silent.

---