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Buster is curled against my hip.

Cleo perches herself on the headboard, while Jesse lounges at the foot of the bed.

Once again, I am grateful for the literal monster-sized bed that Dale has furnished the apartments with.

“Comfy?” I tease.

Auggie reaches for my hand and interlaces our fingers.

“Perfect.”

Looking at Auggie’s smiling face, his hand clasped in mine, warmth spreads through my chest.

Safe.

I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be safe.

And cared for.

For the first time in a long time, when sleep comes, fear isn’t waiting.

I simply fall asleep.

Chapter 11

Tell Me Who You Are

AUGUSTUS

Nothing will ever compare to the feeling of falling asleep with Cordelya wrapped in my arms.

Even with the break-in hanging over us, last night was the best night of my entire life.

Cordelya and I had a breakthrough.

For the first time since we met, Cordelya let me in. The details will come with time, but we’ve taken the first step.

Trust.

I could see it shining in her eyes every time they met mine, and it deepened after I shared my own struggles.

And then my entire world was upended the moment our lips touched for the first time.

A voice, primal and raw, had risen from the depths of my mind to whisper, Mine.

Warmth settles around my heart as my eyes blink open.

The first thing I see is Cordelya, soft smile on her lips. The early morning light catches her hair, turning the long strands into threads of gold. She looks devastatingly beautiful. For a moment, I wonder if I’m dreaming.

“Morning,” she says softly, brushing a wayward curl out of my face.

“Morning,” I say, tugging her closer before pressing my lips to hers.

She melts into me with a contented sigh, and I lose myself to the taste of her. Her bare legs tangle with mine, reminding me of the sleep set she wore to test my restraint.

A simple t-shirt and shorts. Sexier than any lingerie could ever be.

My hand glides up her back until I find a strip of exposed skin where her shirt has ridden up. A delicate shiver ripples through her as my fingers trace the length of her spine. When we break apart, I run my nose along her jaw, breathing her in.