Page 24 of Blade

"Why do you live out here? So far from everyone else?"

His expression shifted, becoming more guarded. "I have my apartment at the Clubhouse; I stay there sometimes. I take my turn on guard duty. But, as I told you. I like my privacy."

"There's more to it than that," she pressed, sensing an evasion. "You are part of an MC. Brotherhood is everything to those clubs. But you choose to live miles from anyone else."

He was quiet for so long that she thought he might not answer. Finally, he sighed. "After I left the SEALs, I couldn't...adjust. Too many people. Too much noise. Too many potential threats to track."

"PTSD?" she guessed softly.

"Among other things," he acknowledged. "Out here, I can control my environment. See threats coming. Prepare."

"That sounds exhausting," she observed. "Always being on alert."

"It's what keeps me alive," he said simply. "Keeps others alive too, now."

Like me, she thought.

"Does it ever get easier?" she asked. "The hypervigilance?"

"Some days are better than others," he admitted. "Having a purpose helps. A mission, which we have a lot of with Spartan Watchmen. There’s always someone who needs protected or bad men who need stopped."

"And what's your mission now? Besides keeping me safe?"

He met her eyes, his gaze intense. "Finding out who's betraying the club. Putting an end to Pedro's Rejects. Making sure they can never hurt anyone else. We went the legal route before, and it ended up biting us in the ass. They made bail and continue to torture people. No, this time, we are ending them. I won’t let them threaten my woman."

My woman. She wondered if he was even aware he’d spoken those words. The fierce protectiveness in his voice made her stomach flutter. This man, this warrior, was ready to wage war for her safety. It was both terrifying and exhilarating.

"I should let you get some rest," he said, standing from the bed.

"Wait," she blurted out, surprising herself. "Could you... would you stay? Just until I fall asleep?"

The request hung in the air between them, vulnerable and exposed. She half-expected him to refuse, to maintain the professional distance he seemed determined to keep.

Instead, he nodded. "If that's what you need."

"It is," she whispered. "I don’t want to be alone. Please."

"Scoot over then," he instructed.

Heart pounding, Lily moved to the side of the bed. Blade sat beside her, his back against the headboard, legs stretched out atop the covers. After a moment's hesitation, he lifted his arm in invitation.

She hesitated only briefly before curling against his side, her head resting on his chest. His arm came down around her, warm and secure. The steady beat of his heart beneath her ear was the most soothing sound she'd ever heard.

"Better?" he asked, his voice a low rumble she could feel through his chest.

"Mmm," she murmured in agreement, already feeling herself begin to relax.

“Who is this?” He reached behind the pillow and grabbed the stuffed animals and handed them to her. She held them tightly in her arms. As she cuddled them, his large hand began to stroke her hair, gentle rhythmic motions that made her eyelids grow heavy. It had been so long since anyone had touched her with such tenderness. So long since she'd felt safe enough to let her guard down.

"Sleep, baby girl," he murmured. "I've got you."

The endearment washed over her like a warm wave, breaking down the last of her resistance. She let her eyes close, surrendering to the comfort of his presence.

Just before sleep claimed her, she felt him press a gentle kiss to the top of her head. So light she might have imagined it.

Lily woke slowly, awareness returning in gradual waves. The first thing she noticed was warmth. The second was a steady rhythm beneath her ear, a heartbeat. And the third was the unmistakable scent of man; soap, leather, and something distinctly male.

Blade.

---