Page 21 of Gorgeous Nightmare

She pauses and looks around cautiously, as if looking for prying ears.

“I actually had a favor I need to ask of you,” she responds sheepishly.

I rub the pad of my thumb against her cheek in a calming motion.

“Whatever you need, little candlelight. I’ll take care of it.” I respond without hesitation.

I would crack my ribs open, pull my heart out, and gift it to her in my dying hands if she requested it.

“I’ve been having a really hard time sleeping lately. I’m not sure what's happening but there’s just some weird shit going on that I don't think I can really explain to you right now. And I just don’t want to be there tonight,” she whispers to me, careful of any customers who might overhear.

I grab her hand and lean down to her ear. “What part of ‘whatever you need, I’ll take care of it did you not understand, my love?” Igrowl protectively.

“I’ll pick you up when you get off work, and we can chill at my place tonight. See you at three, gorgeous.”

Shooting her a quick wink and a small smirk, I turn and head for the exit. I can smell her excitement as she watches me leave, waving goodbye shyly.

CHAPTER 22

Aisling

The end of my shift comes quicker than normal. My palms have been sweating, and my body has been buzzing since Ronan left. I swear that man is like a drug to me. When he’s not around, my body starts having withdrawals. Seriously, it’s not normal.

There’s a certain calmness about him. Like he can handle anything this world throws at him, and dear Gods, he is gonna look good while doing it. My thighs tighten, heat curling up to my center. Fuck. Those were just dreams, Aisling.

Here I am, drool pooling out of my mouth for a man that I barely just met because I somehow shared themost intimate moments I've ever shared with anyone...in a dream. Yeah, that cloaked bitch's craziness definitely wore off on me. Someone grab the straitjacket and grippy socks because I'm heading straight to a white-walled castle.Fuck.

The bell to the store tinkles, sending a chill straight through my spine and down to my toes. He's here. I don't even have to turn around to know he is, I can feel him.

I reach under the counter, grabbing my Hydro Flask and coffin purse.

"Hey, gorgeous, you ready?" His voice curls around me, causing my knees to go weak. I try to play it off cool, but trip over every word that tumbles out of my mouth. "Y-yeah, a-all good, Sir,"

Sir. Are you fucking kidding me?!

I kept telling someone to grab the straitjacket, but no one wanted to listen, now we all have to deal with my cringey ass.

A slight chuckle escapes his lips. "Ah, we're goingformal?" He shrugs, "I can do that. Your chariot awaits, madam." He bows dramatically, practically hitting the floor when he dips.

A fucking goof ball and he's hot? There's no way he's real.

I link my arm inside his awaiting form, and we step out onto the pavement. A shiver spreads throughout my body, like we're being watched, and I really don't like it. I feel his rough hands slide into mine, and I let out a bated breath. I hope he feels it too.

We walk quietly, hand in hand, as clouds hang overhead, a constant in this town. My skin grows sticky from the condensation floating in the air as I find myself moving into Ronan's side. A desperate plea for warmth as the cold seeps into my bones.

"Cold, little one?" He asks, pulling me into him and tucking me beneath his coat like I belong there, like I’vealwaysbelonged there.

I squeak, caught off guard, and he chuckles. That sound. I'd search every world to hear it again if I had to.

His building looms in the distance. Older, rough around the edges. Just like him. The brick looms ahead of us, slick with rain. Every step we take echoes through the silent streets like we don’t quite belong here.

He unlocks the front door and leads me up the cracked concrete stairs, each step creaking under our weight. The moment we reach his apartment, he pauses, his body curling into mine, his head dipping low to my ear.

He presses himself into me, and I can feel the heat pulsing between us.

“I don’t care what shadows haunt you,” he murmurs, his voice gravelly. “Let them come. I’ve already made space for your monsters next to mine.”

A whimper escapes my lips as the feeling of safety wraps around me. An undeniable feeling that leaves my heart pounding in my ribs.

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