Page 16 of Heartbeats & Highways

I worked my bottom lip through my teeth as I thought about how to reply, but he spoke before I could.

“I don’t like the idea of you being with other men,” he admitted.

“This is a ridiculous conversation. Your love life is your business. Mine is mine. We don’t even know each other.”

He didn’t answer.

As I drifted off to sleep, I realized I wanted his love life to be my business.

Chapter 5

Something wokeme from a sound sleep, and my heart thrashed against my rib cage in fear.

The sounds were coming from the floor—Savage was in the throes of a nightmare. Without thought, I flung off the covers and climbed out of bed.

Guided by moonlight, I saw the outline of him. He was laying on his back, his head turned away from me. I got down on my knees and placed my hand on his chest.

He wasn’t wearing a shirt.

His skin was warm, and my fingers itched to explore.

Savage instantly quieted.

Whatever nightmare plagued him seemed to leave at my touch.

Savage had protected me from actual threats in real life, and I wanted to protect him from whatever demons haunted him in his nightmares.

I scooted down next to him on the pallet, kept my hand on his chest and fell back asleep to the sound of his rhythmic breathing.

The next time I awoke, early morning rays were peeking through the blinds. My cheek was pressed to a warm chest and amuscular arm was curled around me. I blinked a few times and then tilted my head back to see if Savage was still asleep.

Blue eyes met mine.

His free hand came up to cradle the back of my head and his fingers sifted through my hair.

Savage kissed me.

I gasped in shock and Savage took full opportunity. His tongue swept into my mouth to mate with mine and a soft whimper escaped my throat.

My insides fluttered and my body melted into his.

Savage pulled back and I opened my eyes to stare at him.

I licked my lips which dragged his gaze to my mouth.

He looked like he wanted to kiss me again.

Iwantedhim to kiss me again.

“Why are you on the floor with me?” he rasped.

I debated on what to say and then settled for the truth. “You were having a nightmare. You calmed down when I touched you.”

His eyes shuttered, all emotion locking down, far away from me.

But his fingers gripped my snarled hair, and he dipped his head close to mine.

I put a hand to his chest to stop him. “Savage.”

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