Page 45 of Johnathan

“Sleep, beautiful. You’re safe with me.”

And she did. The nothingness of nighttime wrapped around her. For how long, she couldn’t even fathom a guess.

Then the nightmare came.

The scream died on the edge of her lips, just like it always did.

Like it always would.

The room swam as she sat up. God, she just wanted to feel normal again. A migraine was hell to deal with, but it was her own body making her feel out of control. Having that control taken from her, without her consent, was hell.

She searched for the warmth she expected to be wrapped in, but it was nowhere to be found. Cold air and loneliness nipped at her as she looked for John.

Of course he wasn’t there. He was helping her out as a friend, that wouldn’t include literally staying with her all night.

Planting her feet on the ground, she tested her legs. When they held her weight without sending her crashing to the ground, she walked into the hallway and stared at the doors. There was only one partially shut. That had to be John’s.

She knocked, slightly opening the door and allowing light from the hallway to spill in.

“You okay?” His groggy voice called out. Was she? Even if she said yes, which she so desperately wanted to, it would be a lie. And he would see right through it.

“No. I don’t think I am.” Shit. She leaned against the door frame, arms wrapped around herself for comfort. “I just…I know nothing really happened. But I feel so violated. I think I’m just scared. What if you and Jackson hadn’t been there? What was he going to do to me?”

“You don’t need to think about that.”

She nodded. “It felt the same as it did that night. That same sense of my body not being able to listen to what I was begging for it to do. I couldn’t get away from Marco. Tonight, I wouldn’t have gotten away from Luke. I’ve been so careful, and I finally let my guard down. Why? Why did he have to do that to me?”

“Abby? Can I come give you a hug?”

She nodded, her legs propelling her forward to the promise of John’s safety.

He stood, moving the covers off and her mouth dropped open. His sweatpants were slung low on his hips, the band of his underwear peeking out. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and she was immediately drawn to the tattoos that covered his shoulders and chest. The intricate designs wrapped around his waist and disappeared into his sweats. Holy mother of sexy sin, Abby blushed.

In the time she’d spent ogling his incredible body, John had closed the distance between them. He hauled her into his arms. God, he was so warm and strong, and now that she was surrounded by his safety, she wanted so badly to just fall apart. To let go and release everything she’d been holding in from the first time he’d saved her.

Almost as if he knew what she was thinking, John tipped her chin up towards his face while tightening his hold of her.

“What do you need?”

“Will you…Can I…” God. She couldn’t get the words out.

John moved his hands so they cupped her cheeks, his thumb gently swiping across her flushed skin.

“Abby, would it be okay for me to hold you tonight?”

“Yes,” she whispered, so thankful that he had known how hard it was for her to ask.

“Come here.” John walked her over to the side of the bed furthest from the door. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she’d wanted to laugh about how he was always protecting her. Even in his own house. In his own bed.

A lump pushed uncomfortably in her throat as she settled against his chest. His one arm wrapped around her back, gently running his fingers through her hair.

“Are you sure this is okay?”

“Abby, I might be big and look intimidating, but I’ll let you in on a secret.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head. “I love to cuddle. Don’t worry for a second that I’m not exactly where I want to be.”

Her leg moved to drape over his. She wasn’t sure exactly what she was doing. All she knew was that she wanted to be as close to him as possible.

“Do you think you’ll be able to fall back asleep? Is there anything you need?”