Page 32 of Everything Christmas

A shudder swept through her and the wail of sirens was no longer distant. It snapped her out of the weird calm that had encompassed her.

“Baby. Say something so I know you’re okay.”

Her head whipped around as he reached for her, but she didn’t give him a chance. Hoarsely crying out his name, she launched herself at him, scrambling up his body—like a cat climbing a tree. When she reached his neck, she clung to him in a grip that clearly stated she wasn’t letting go until she was damn good and ready.

“It’s okay, elf. He can’t ever hurt you again.”

With her face pressed against his neck, she could feel him moving, but she couldn’t tell where. Her voice came out raspy and strained when she asked, “Where are you taking me?”

“Away from here.”

Unwilling to relinquish the death grip she had on him, she clung tighter. “Okay. Just don’t leave me.”

“Never, baby. You’re stuck with me from now on because you’re mine.”

Tears overflowed, and she sobbed brokenly, the terror of the past few minutes hitting her hard and because those were the sweetest words he’d ever said to her.

Chapter Nine

Although the threatto Merry’s safety died with Johnny Reynolds, his death didn’t erase the haunting memories of that night. She couldn’t bear the notion of going back into the house, let alone sleeping in her bedroom. Reese, ever-understanding, came to her rescue again. He packed a bag and moved her in with him. Living in a new space, sleeping in his arms every night, she could breathe again, and the fear that spiked at every creaking floorboard or slamming car door outside slowly lifted.

By taking her in, Reese not only sought to ease her torment but his own. As one week passed and another began, his heightened vigilance and need to protect her didn’t change. It was in part because the nightmares that plagued her each night showed no sign of stopping. After the night when she awoke screaming and shaking, reliving when she’d looked over and seen him bleeding out on her bedroom floor, she’d tried to move to another room.

“Don’t even think about it,” he warned, pulling her back into his arms when she’d tried to get up.

“But you need your sleep. You have to work in the morning.”

“So do you. Besides, I’m more concerned about what you need. Is tossing and turning in a bed alone going to chase away the nightmares better than lying in my arms?”

She didn’t reply because the answer was hell no.

“What do you need, baby?” Reese persisted, his fingertips lightly brushing her cheek.

“I need you,” she admitted even though she felt selfish doing so.

“Then that’s that end of this discussion,” he’d declared firmly. After he kissed her, soft and warm with just a taste of his tongue, he pulled her back into his arms, her cheek pillowed on his bare chest, and held her until sleep claimed her again.

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