“Impressive.”
“I’ll put it in a vase.”
She watched him as he walked around the room to take a vase and fill it with water. His expression was completely serene, which made her think she had never seen him so calm and happy.
Even during those months they’d spent together, tension had always bothered him, but now he was a different man. His rich brown dressing gown also added to the simple domestic night.
The candlelight played on the dark petals, igniting them with a warm glow.
“There.” He placed the vase on her nightstand. “I just wanted you to sleep with a beautiful flower next to you.”
“Will you stay here?” Her heart was torn in two. She wanted him to spend the night with her, but at the same time, she wasn’t strong enough to do much aside from sleeping.
“Do you want me to?” He perched on the edge of the bed.
She hesitated to answer only because she wasn’t sure how she could express herself without sounding petulant.
“I don’t want to cause you more problems. Quite the opposite. I want to be someone who can help you solve them.” He patted her hand. “Tell me what you want.”
“Please stay.” She lifted the covers. “But I would really like to sleep only.”
He frowned. Then the lines on his brow smoothed. “Of course.” He removed his dressing gown and slid under the covers.
The moment he wrapped his arms around her, instant safety enveloped her. She hadn’t felt so safe in years. Her back rested against his chest, and his powerful arms formed a protective cocoon around her. She closed her eyes with the scent of the lily in the air.
A thud woke her up with a jolt. She flung her eyes open and sat bolt upright. The thud came again, like a fist hitting something.
“Samuel?” She touched around the nightstand until she managed to light a lamp.
Samuel was thrashing around in the bed. His clenched fists would hit the bedhead and the bedpost, causing the bed to shake. Low noises full of pain came out of him.
“Samuel.” She shook his arm gently. “Wake up.”
He flung his eyes open, panting. He gazed around as if he didn’t recognise the room.
“A nightmare?” She caressed his shaking shoulder.
He crushed her into a tight hug, seeking comfort. She hugged him back and drew circles on his back.
“I know. I know.”
He shivered. She kept stroking his back until his breathing calmed down. When he released her, she breathed better.
“Did I give you a fright?” he asked with trembling fingers as if he were stuttering.
“Don’t worry. Does it happen often?”
He raked a hand through his messy curls. “Sometimes. I got better. At first, the nightmares happened every night more than once. Now they’re rarer but powerful. Learning Murdock has been so close to you all these years triggered my nightmares again. I hate feeling powerless.”
“You seemed in pain.”
“I was.” He shoved the covers aside. “I’ll let you sleep. You’re too tired to have to deal with my problems.”
“No, stay.” She took his hand and tugged at it.
The pain in his gaze made her regret her insistence. Perhaps he wished to be alone.
She let go of his hand. “If you want, of course.”
“I don’t want to disturb you. I’d better go to my bedroom.”
“I’m fine.”
“Goodnight.” He kissed her hand and left.
She lay down, touching his side of the bed still warm and smelling of bergamot, wishing she could be able to chase his shadows away.
