Page 10 of Wanting Mr Black
His words ease my anxieties, and I feel my galloping heartbeat begin to slow.
I close my eyes and press a shaky hand against my forehead, taking deep breaths as the panic in my chest begins to fall. His arms envelop me, drawing me to him, and I don’t fight it, relaxing against his warm, bare chest.
“I’m here. It’s okay.” He presses his lips to the top of my head. “No one can hurt you now.”
And I know he’s right. We sit for a few moments with him holding me, gently kissing my forehead, as my breathing begins to return to normal.
“Are you okay?”
I nod, relieved he hasn’t pushed me on the details of my nightmare.
Once he’s satisfied I’m okay, he reluctantly lets me go and stands, heading for the bedroom door. “Settle back down and get some sleep. I’m just across the hall.”
That’s not enough. I know I’m being irrational. I know it was only a nightmare. I know Theo isn’t here and can’t hurt me, but it’s stirred up unpleasant memories and unsettled me.
“Don’t go,” I blurt before I can stop myself. “I don’t want to be alone.”
He turns back and reaches out a hand, stroking his fingertips across my cheek and soothing me once more. “Of course I’ll stay.”
He turns off the lamp and gets into bed, staying over on his side. I’m relieved he’s not using this as a way of pushing things between us. I’m still not ready.
He curls one arm beneath the pillow. “You’re safe. I’m here now. Go to sleep, my beautiful Sophie,” he whispers.
A feeling of security wraps around me like a tight, warm blanket, and I drift off into unconsciousness.
I open my eyes to sunlight streaming through the curtains. Art’s watching me from across the bed, his head propped up againsthis hand. Colour has returned to his cheeks, and his eyes have regained their usual sparkle. His thick hair flops across his forehead in that haphazard way I find so attractive, and my stomach flips at the sight of him.
I rub my sleepy eyes. “What time is it?”
“Eight.”
I’m going to be late.
“Shit, I need to get ready for work.”
I throw off the covers, but he puts his hand on my stomach, preventing me from sitting up.
“No, you don’t. We’re not going in today.”
I look at him as if he’s gone mad. “I can’t keepnotgoing into work. I’ve got stuff to do.”
“Not today. I texted George and got him to check your diary. You’ve nothing on until Wednesday.”
He’s back to his usual self. Taking control.
“The other staff will notice. They know about us anyway, and this will just piss them off,” I point out, recalling Olly’s silent treatment.
He fixes me with a look that tells me he’s not going to budge on the matter. “I don’t give a fuck about the staff or the hotel. Right now, all I care about is making things right with you.” He hesitates before saying, “I want to take you to the club.”
I stare at the ceiling and shake my head. “No, I don’t want to go.”
He shifts towards me under the covers, moving as close as he can without actually touching me, and once again, he props his head on his hand. I can feel the heat from his body so close to mine.
His words pull my focus back into the moment. “I want to put your mind at rest and make you see that you’ve got nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.”
I appreciate the fact that he’s trying to put me at ease, but the thought of going to Dark Desires doesn’t exactly fill me with pleasure. “I’ll think about it.”
“Thank you. Are you okay after your nightmare?”