Page 83 of Zimyra

“I got you, sweetheart. You’re safe with me. I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise you that.”

We stand right here in her living room for what seems like an eternity – until I sense that she’s stopped crying. I scoop her up into my arms and carry her to the sofa. I sit down with her on my lap, grab a piece of cover from the backrest of the sofa and spread it over her – over us – staring down at her beautiful yet sad face.

I tell her, “You can sleep tonight because I’m not going anywhere.”

“I can’t. I can’t close my eyes.”

“You can. I want you to stare at my face until you fall asleep. That’s the face you’ll see behind your eyelids, and while you’re drifting, I want you to know that you will wake up right here in my arms because I’m not going anywhere. No one will ever hurt you again. I can promise you that.”

I stare down at her as she stares up at me as I requested. It seems like an eternity passes as we look into each other’s souls, connecting us in a way we’ve never been connected. I watch as she drifts, her eyes sad and heavy, yet still beautiful. She doesn’t want to close them – I see her fighting it, but she finally caves until she’s sound asleep in my arms. I watch her – watch my forever. She’s it – there’s no question in my mind about it.

CHAPTER 24

I wake up and stretch. It felt so good to sleep without worrying – to wake up nestled in muscles, his calming scent, and the security that comes along with him. It can be quite dangerous to be this addicted to someone, especially for a woman like me. I’ve never put myself in a position where I reallyneededanyone for anything. Since I graduated high school and went on to college, I’ve been self-sufficient. I didn’t rely on my mother or my brothers to take care of me.Itook care of myself. I’ve been taking care of myself, but last night, I found out how good it feels to be taken care of. If I’m not careful, I can find myself becoming addicted to this – to him.

“Good morning, sleeping beauty.”

I smile and say, “Good morning, Axel.”

“How’d you sleep?”

“Good,” I say, stretching again while still lying across his lap.

“Glad to hear it. I’ve been needing to visit the bathroom for the last few hours.”

“Oh, gosh.” I instantly get up and say, “You should’ve told me.”

He stands, stretches his arms toward the ceiling, and says, “It’s fine. I wasn’t about to wake you. May I use your bathroom?”

“Sure. Of course. Just go down the hallway—the first door on the right.”

I watch as he heads in that direction. I know he must be exhausted. I really didn’t mean for him to stay the entire night, but I’m glad he did. I was a complete mess, and I really don’t think I would’ve been able to sleep without him here.

He comes out of the bathroom, wiping his hands with a paper towel.

I say, “I’m sorry about last night. I don’t usually break down like that, and I didn’t mean to take up your entire night.”

“Don’t apologize. I wanted to be here for you.”

“Well, I appreciate it.”

He smiles. “Why are you saying that like you’re trying to kick me out? I ain’t going nowhere.”

“Axel, I know you want to go home and shower and stuff. It’s Saturday.”

“I’m very well aware of what day it is, and I want to spend it with you. So, I tell you what—I’m going to run home, take a shower, and then I’ll be back to pick you up.”

“Pick me up?”

“You heard me.”

“I’m not in the mood to be out. I probably have bags under my eyes right now from crying.”

“You don’t. Getting out in nature will enhance your mood.”

“Ugh…no. Curling up on the sofa eating Pringles will enhance my mood.”

He grins. “Not today, it won’t. I’ll be back in two hours. Be ready to go.”

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