“Isn't it?” he snapped, waving a hand. “You're on bed rest because we kissed.”
“The darkness wasn't around when we were fucking,” I point out. “And this isn't your fault. It happened out of nowhere.”
Frank frowned, shaking his head. “I can't risk it happening again.”
I frowned at him. “So, what… you're just never going to touch me?” The idea made me sick. I had grown to need him. His hand holding me, his gentle hand stroking my hair. The thought of him avoiding me like this forever was more than I could bear.
Frank looked hurt. “I…that’s….” He wet his lips. “Nina, I am trying here. You have no idea how much I want to hold you. How much I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.”
Frank seemed frozen, and I threw the sheets off, pulling myself out of bed. “Nina, don't get up.”
“I'm on bed rest! I'm not dying! Stop pushing me away,” I snapped at him. “Just stop, please. I'm human. I have feelings and emotions. I have wants and needs, and I understand you're scared, but I am too. And I can't do this. I can't be stuck inside this house if I don't have someone who understands just how alone it makes a person feel.”
I reached for him, tired of feeling this separation between us. “Stop pushing me away, please.”
I felt his hands wrap around me, pulling me tightly against him. His face was just an inch from mine. His lips are so close to mine.
“I don't want anything to happen,” he said softly.
“I don't want to live my life in fear anymore, Frank. Please don't make me give up one fear for another.”
He kissed me softly, his arms tightly holding me to his chest. It was sweet and just what I needed.
We fumbled back onto the sheets, and Frank caressed my face, his eyes looking at me softly. “I don't want to hurt you or the baby.”
“The healer didn't say we couldn't do anything,” I whisper back. I reached up, placing my hand on his chest. “And I can tell you if anything feels off.”
“You promise?” he asked, hooking my legs around him.
I nodded. I needed Frank like I needed air. I needed some human contact, someone to look at me and understand I wasn't just a pregnant lady. I just needed him. I felt his hands hike higher on my thigh, his thumb caressing my inner thigh.
“And stay the night,” I asked softly. “In my bed.”
Frank looked at me for a moment before he nodded, kissing me softly. I felt my toes curl, knowing what was coming.
Chapter 22 - Frank
Screaming filled the room, and I jerked awake. I quickly searched the entire room and found that there was no one in the room. I looked over at Nina and realized she was the one screaming. It was a blood-curdling scream, like the type you had when you were running for your life.
“Nina,” I shook her softly, tightly holding on to her shoulders. She didn't stop. I watched her head shake from side to side, and she was covered in sweat. Her eyebrows were knitted together like she was in pain.
“Nina!” I yelled her name louder this time and shook her a little rougher. I grabbed her face, turning her head to me. “Nina, open your eyes and look at me. You're having a nightmare.”
The screaming stopped, and her eyes snapped open. She looked terrified for a second before her eyes seemed to fix on me. I cupped her face. “Deep breath in. It was just a dream. Whatever you were dreaming isn't real.”
She lay absolutely frozen like a statue, taking a slow, deep breath in. It took her a few moments before she relaxed a little, falling deeply into the sheets.
Nina placed her hand on her chest, her eyes staring at the ceiling.
“It was just a bad dream,” I said softly, wiping at her forehead.
She shook her head. “No, it was worse than that. I was dreaming of the darkness.”
My body stiffened as she looked at me. Those words sent shivers down my spine. “I know that Sam and Katie have. Theytold me about their encounters. Katie told me how she felt such anger when they were trapped, and I felt that. Pure rage like never before.”
I swallowed, not sure how I could make her feel better. I pulled Nina closer and rested her head against my chest. “You're safe now.”
