If I was calm enough—smart enough—I’d be okay.
Chapter Eight
IN THATdistant, hazy place where reality began to seep into dreams, I heard a key unlock a door. Then a knob turned—a thump and a creak.
I cracked open an eye and watched Dillon jump to his feet, staring at the front door just behind me. I sat up, fixed my glasses, and looked to see the chair holding firmly in place, despite someone trying to get into the apartment.
A knock.
Wait….
And another.
“Sebastian?”
The knob was twisted again.
I got up, dragged the chair away, and threw the door open.
Calvin looked up, holding his cell to his ear.
The house phone on the opposite side of the apartment rang.
Without a single second of hesitation, I leaped forward and wrapped my arms around Calvin’s neck. The phone stopped ringing. His arms locked around me.
I took a deep breath, picking up notes of cinnamon, the lingering whispers of his cologne, and the city night. “I’m really glad you’re home,” I mumbled.
Calvin lifted me off my feet and silently walked us into the apartment. He set me down and, with one hand, shut the door and threw the dead bolt.
“What time is it?” I whispered, still holding on to him. The heat radiating from Calvin’s body, the gentlethump,thump,thumpof his heart against my own chest—they were a soothing balm over my stressed soul.
“Three in the morning,” he answered, just as quiet. Calvin tilted his head and kissed my hair. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing that can’t wait until daylight,” I said, finally taking a step back. “Can we go to bed?”
It was sort of obvious I’d been scared—what with the chair—but Calvin looked as exhausted as I felt. He simply nodded and followed me through the dark apartment to the loft.
I set my glasses on the nightstand, pulled back the blankets on the bed, and collapsed on the new mattress. Calvin undressed and left his clothes on the floor to be dealt with later. He climbed in beside me in nothing but boxer briefs, tugged me closer, and wrapped his arms around me.
Heaven.
MY ARMwas asleep.
I yanked it free from underneath Calvin and rolled over. My fingertips tingled as blood pumped back into them.
Calvin moved with me. He slid an arm underneath mine and pressed himself against the length of my back. Waking up to fresh bedding and a powerful, living body at my side made me feel strong. Fear that had been worming its way back into my heart last night scurried away like a mouse after hearing the roar of a lion. It was a good thing. The insecurity and worthlessness that had cropped up alongside the very real concern for my safety had been almost too much.
I grunted. “No.”
“No, what?” Calvin murmured.
“If you’re awake, that means it’s time to get up.”
“We don’t have to get up yet,” he said, breath ghosting across the back of my neck.
“I don’t want to get upever,” I corrected, speaking into the pillow.
“How’re we supposed to eat?” Calvin asked, words still a little slurred from sleep.
