Page 24 of Darkness Consuming
Chapter Thirteen
Mine
Nollix
The protective way Cameron’s arm is draped across her stomach has me second-guessing myself. Violence doesn’t need me. She never did. I’m not an idiot to think she’s not fully capable of surviving without me. But seeing someone else take care of her the way I did … it fucking rips me open.
Long lashes flutter across her cheek bones. She was sound asleep and it only makes me realize, he takes care of her better even. He gives her a peace and comfort that I’ll never be able to give her.
Big eyes look up at me and I shift beneath her attention.
“Come here.” Her whispered words shiver through the room and across my skin.
Hesitant steps bring me to the edge of the bed.
“I just wanted to check on you.” The excuse comes quick. It’s spoken evenly and I make sure to offer her a small smile.
“Stay with me.” Her gaze searches my features. She watches my every emotion.
But I have none to give. I don’t know what she wants from me.
I’m not good at this. Even before I was in the Wild Hunt I wasn’t good at real relationships. Sex was easy. Friendships and commitments, I don’t have any experience with.
But fuck I’m trying.
“Please?” she asks in the softest tone I’ve ever heard.
I start to nod, knowing I’ll do any damn thing she asks of me.
But then she lifts back the blankets. She moves against Cameron, making just enough room for me to press myself against her.
My brows rise just slightly. Her eyes narrow and the first hint of a real smile tilts her lips.
“Are you afraid his hand might wander?”
This is so fucked up.
“No, I’m not afraid.”
Iamafraid.
I’m terrified of how much I’m willing to do for her.
It isn’t normal. All these fluttering and reckless feelings that are swarming through my chest, that shit isn’t normal.
With stiff movements, I slip beneath the thin blankets. She lies on her side, resting against his chest. She’s curled around some other guy just like she was me.
A strange feeling of rage settles quietly within my chest. My breaths are hard to reach. It’s an effort for me to keep my mouth shut right now.
I lie on my shoulder, facing her. The candle light flickers across her pale features. It ignites the amber color of her eyes, turning the amber to embers in the dark.
She doesn’t touch me.
Her legs skim against mine. Her smooth calves push back and forth against mine. It’s an intentional sort of playfulness that I don’t return. I can’t.
I feel like shit right now.
It’s hard to swallow but when I do, I make myself look away. I shove my eyes closed and try to force sleep to come.
