Page 39 of Our Deceptive Heat

“I’m going to undress you now, Aura. But I’m just getting you out of your wet clothes and into something you can sleep in.”

I don’t argue with him. Digs pulls off his clothes and gets changed. He comes back, appearing as quietly as he disappeared, and pulls off my wet clothes, throwing the dress and shoes away. He dries me carefully and then hesitates.

“I’m not looking. Just take it off quickly so you can get dry.”

I reach up with trembling hands and unsnap my bra. He pulls a thick jumper that smells like him over my head. It reaches my thigh, so I shuffle theunderwear off.

“Right, you’re going to go to sleep now. No work, no phones, just sleep.”

He helps me into bed and then tucks the blankets in around me. I’ve got my eyes squeezed closed as he backs out of the room.

I can’t bear to face him. I can’t bear to face the world.

Chapter twelve

Ryn

You think I’m justa pretty thing, but I’m so much more- Ryn Raines

I wake up several times throughout the night, vicious dreams chasing me. But in the darkest hours, I wake up face-to-face with Envy. Mako is leaning against the wall, watching, but Envy is stroking my face.

I lick my lips, trying to find the words to say something, anything, but he puts a finger on them, silencing me.

“It’s okay, Ryn. We’re here. No one will get past us,” he whispers and shifts even closer. The tips of our noses touch.

“Why didn’t you tell us you were in trouble?”

I squeeze my eyes closed.

“I thought you hated me,” I whisper.

“Never! We could never hate you.”

“I left, and you’ve all been-”

“Hurt, but hurt feelings don’t equal hate. And none of us hate you. You are our Ryn. Our friend. Part of our family, no matter how far you run.”

A tear slips down my cheek. “I missed you.”

Envy sighs, his breath fanning my face. “Let us help you, Ryn.”

I shiver but don’t answer. What can I say?

Eventually, I fall asleep, and this time, it’s dreamless.

I wake up inthe morning alone. Everything comes back in a rush of distorted images that makes my head ache, but I push it aside.

I don’t know why I thought I was in my suite last night, but this is clearly the band’s.

There is a delicious smell coming from behind the door, but I don’t know whether to go out or not. I’m only wearing the jumper. Sure, it covers me but…I’m all naked underneath, and somehow that makes me feel more exposed than it should.

Can’t hide forever. I straighten my shoulders and step out.

Digs sees me and smiles. “Morning, Aura.”

I tense and force myself to relax. Aura? So, it really wasn’t a dream.

“Morning. What happened to the concert?” I ask nervously.

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