Page 20 of Hollow Forest

Sam thrashed on the floor, whimpering between gurgled cries.

The invader wasn’t a physical manifestation. It was a deadlier force, and it was right fucking there, screwing with my little monster’s dreams.

I forced myself to stop. Every instinct cried to go to her, but I managed to turn around. To go back to the kitchen. To take the blanket from the pile of new purchases.

It was a random item I’d dropped in the Amazon cart. And now I was glad I had it.

Back in her room, I whispered to the figure breathing hard on the floor. I dropped the blanket over her before finally—fucking finally—drawing the sweet creature into my arms.

She stiffened and then arched.

Somewhere between sleep and waking, her brain registered my presence. Her instinct made her thrash and try to pull away.

“Hush now,” I growled. “You’re safe, Ophelia.”

I used her birth name. The one her subconscious would recognize more easily.

She wouldn’t remember it once she was fully awake.

“I’ve got you, beautiful,” I urged, holding her tightly.

The moment she escaped the nightmare, her eyes snapped open. She glared at me.

Thank every fucking saint that I had my mask on, otherwise the game would have been up.

“You!”

“Me,” I murmured.

She relaxed, but only a fraction.

I took the opportunity to draw her closer, wrapping the blanket more securely around her body. This was heaven. This was bliss! Finally, finally holding my girl, even if there was a barrier.

She seemed to realize that she was in my arms, because she pushed on me and huffed out a grumpy response. “I thought you weren’t going to touch me.”

I couldn’t hide the grin from my words. “I’m not.”

Sam shook her head and gave me an incredulous look. I wished the lights were on, I would bet it was adorable. “Your arms are hugging me, and I’m in your lap!”

“There’s a blanket. We’re not touching.”

She rolled her eyes.

That I saw.

So adorable.

“Such a technicality,” she drawled.

I jostled her. “Roll your eyes again and see where it gets you.”

“You said you wouldn’t touch me.”

“Then I’ll count.” I chuckled. “Every time. And I’ll punish you for each sin.”

Sam sucked in a sharp breath. “Why are you doing this?”

Was that a tremor in her voice? My beautiful, strong, incredible angel was uneasy! That wasn’t acceptable.