He moved around the couch, then turned sideways to carry her up the stairs. He turned off the light so it didn’t wake her, then climbed one step at a time. At the top, he turned to his room and moved to the bed. He kicked the blankets back and leaned forward to set her on the mattress.
Her eyes opened when she touched the mattress. She grabbed his arm, a sharp inhale belaying her fear.
“You’re safe, Nina. It’s Zeke. You’re in my bed.”
“Don’t leave me,” she whispered.
Zeke warred with himself. He knew the right thing to do. He knew the smart thing to do.
“Please.”
He wasn’t going to do the right thing or the smart thing. He was going to do whatever Nina asked him to do. “Yes.”
7
Nina moved overto let Zeke into the bed with her. She’d never shared a bed with a man, but in the darkness of night and the shadows of the truth she shared, she needed to feel him by her side. She wasn’t strong enough to keep the memories at bay for another night. Not when she was already feeling the familiar terror of the night creeping in.
But when she was in Zeke’s arms, all she felt was safe. Loved. Protected.
He laid on his back, as rigid as he was on the couch. Nina hated she was asking him to do things he wasn’t comfortable with. She was being clingy and making it awkward between them. And he was nice enough to not call her on it.
After ten minutes of neither of them relaxing, Nina rolled out of bed.
“Where are you going?” Zeke asked.
“Bathroom,” she whispered, trying to keep the pain from her voice. She needed him, and she hated that she did, but doing that was taking something from him she had no right to take.
Nina closed the bathroom door and drew a breath. Blood pounded in her ears, shame heating her cheeks. After so manyyears with no one, it was hard for her to rely on anyone. She told herself so many times that she was all alone and only had herself, but being free, being with Zeke, she felt like she could breathe.
But not if she made him uncomfortable.
Nina used the bathroom and washed her hands, then brushed her teeth. It was time to give Zeke some of his space back. She hadn’t seen his guest room, but she would move into it so he could have his room back.
She drew a shaky breath and opened the door.
Zeke was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands folded in front of him, forearms resting on his knees.
He looked up at her and stood when she stepped into the room. He tossed the blankets back on the bed and stood next to it.
“I’m, um, I’m going to give you your space back. I’ll stay in the guest room.”
“No,” Zeke said, making a move toward the door.
“It’s fine, Zeke. I’ll go to Monty’s tomorrow. I know I’m making you uncomfortable. I didn’t realize it until tonight.”
“Get in the bed, Nina.”
Nina shook her head. “Zeke, just?—”
“Get in the damn bed.”
Nina looked up at him. That wasn’t a look of anger. Or discomfort. It was the one and only look she recognized from a man. “Zeke?”
He slammed his eyes closed, cutting her off from the look of desire. “Please.”
She nodded, even though his eyes were still closed. “Okay.”
He moved to the side so she could get into bed without touching him. “Please stay.”
