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When he leads me back into his bedroom, he gives me a pair of sweatpants before pulling some on himself. I hesitate, glancing at the bed. I know that’s where we’re headed. But if he gave me these, he wants them on me. So I tug them on before sitting on the edge of the bed.
The heat kicks on, and I close my eyes at the sound. Somehow, it’s gotten familiar in the last couple of weeks. It means safety and Parker.
The bed dips as Parker crawls in with me, so lie on my back and stare up at the ceiling. I keep my eyes open as Parker leans down and presses a kiss to the bruise on my cheek. Then the ones on my neck and shoulders. Down my chest.
“You don’t have to do that,” I say. “I don’t need anything. We can have sex.”
He stops kissing me and leans over me, staring at me like he can’t believe I said that. “We’re not doing anything tonight. You need to rest.”
“Parker—”
“It’s not up for negotiation.”
A huge part of me is grateful that he’s looking out for me like this. But a different, unfamiliar part of me just wants his body. Wants him to kiss me and be inside me like he was a few days ago.
“I’m okay,” I whisper. “You’re not going to break me.”
A small half-smile picks the corner of his mouth up. “I know, Rhys. I know you’re really tough, but you don’t have to be right now. I’m here, okay?”
I nod even as I tell myself it’s not okay to let my guard down. I don’t know what it is about Parker that makes it feel better, but I wish I could bottle it up for nights in the future when he’s not there.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” he murmurs, holding my gaze. “You’re safe with me.”
“Okay.” I believe him. I don’t even know why, but I know he’s telling the truth. He’s been nothing but gentle with me, even when I messed up. Even though I know I should take this moment to relax and rest like he’s telling me to, my body is asking for something different. It’s so strange to want someone like this.
I mumble his name, and he leans closer to me. I snake a hand up his arm to the back of his neck, bringing him closer to me. His lips part, and I move up to meet them with my own. He tastes like coffee and safety. Like Parker.
“We’re not having sex,” he says against my lips.
“I know. I just… I want…” I trail off, my cheeks heating.
“What is it, Rhys?” he asks. “What do you want?”
“I don’t want to sleep alone.” The heat spreads down my neck. I shouldn’t be doing this. I shouldn’t let him pay me and not use my body. But I’m so tired. In so much pain. All I want is to feel his arms around me.
“I’ll stay in the bed with you,” Parker says, pulling the blanket up over my chest. “I’m right here, okay? Don’t worry.”
He can’t lie down fast enough, and as soon as he’s against me, I curl into him, laying my head on his chest. My body hurts from what Tony did, but my heart hurts more. Today was just an ugly reminder of what I am.
“I’m not leaving,” Parker mumbles, resting his hand on my back. “Get some rest. I’ll be here when you wake back up.”
I’m too tired to respond. My eyes finally close, and then I’m blissfully asleep.
Twelve
Parker
Once Rhys is deep in sleep, I lift his shirt just enough to check out the bruising on his side that I saw in the tub. His whole body’s covered in whip-like markers, but the bruise on his side has me worried about his ribs.
And the bruises seem to be stacked on top of one another. More than one person did this to him.
I think of the way he started crying when I tried to get more information about what had happened to him. He’d seemed so cared. Like he’d get in trouble with someone if he told me anything.
I’d automatically assumed Rhys was still in this life because of the earlier answers he gave about not having been to school and not knowing what else to do. But what if he wasn’t telling the whole truth?
Rhys mumbles something unintelligible in his sleep and turns over onto his back. He looks so at peace like this, so different from how he did when he showed up here earlier.
My gaze travels up to his neck, where that choker rests. Rhys had told me once that it was a gift, and he didn’t like to take it off. But looking at it now, it seems…out of place on him. It’s a stark contrast against hi pale skin, and I’ve never seen him take it off. Not even in the shower or bath. But he doesn’t seem to look at it with any kind of fondness either.
