Page 51 of Untamed Sinner

She hesitates. Then she does.

Drawing her into my chest, I wrap my arms around her.

She goes rigid. "What are you doing?"

"Holding you."

"I don't need⁠—"

I rub her back gently. "Yes, you do."

“Let go.” She wedges her hands on my chest and makes a half-hearted attempt to push.

I hold her steady, no force involved, ready to release her if she insists.

"Hendricks—"

"You can fight me if you need," I say quietly, "but you’ll have to be the one to step back."

She's silent for a long moment. Then her body starts to shake. Not crying, just trembling.

I tighten my hold, one hand moving to the back of her head, fingers threading through her hair. "I've got you," I murmur. "You're safe."

"I don't—" Her voice cracks. "I don't do this."

"I know."

"I don't need⁠—"

"I know."

She makes a sound that might be a laugh or a sob—I can't tell. I just tuck her closer into my body and hold her.

"You're an asshole," she whispers.

"Yeah."

Her hands come up slowly, fisting in my shirt, not pulling away but holding on.

I guide her back to the bed, sitting on the edge and pulling her down with me. "Lie down.”

She resists. "I'm not⁠—"

"Lie down, Mandy."

She does, reluctantly, and I shift so we're both horizontal, my body spooned around hers, my arm around her waist. She's tense, every muscle locked.

I rub my nose to the back of her neck. "Relax."

"I can't."

Her plaintive tone brings a smile to my lips. "Try."

"This is stupid.” She wiggles like she’s thinking of moving away. “I don't need you to⁠—"

"Stop talking, Amanda."

She goes quiet.