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“Lock the doors,” Braxton says.
“I will.”
He takes Kylie’s hand and they walk toward the front door. I can feel his reluctance to leave, and he looks back at Ronan one last time before they disappear into the entryway.
The front door opens and closes, and I let out a long breath. “I’m sorry. Braxton can be … intense.”
“It’s fine,” he says. “I don’t blame him. I’m surprised he was willing to leave.”
“I am, too.”
“I guess you don’t need two of us standing guard over you tonight,” he says.
I laugh, although smiling hurts. “I guess not.”
Ronan comes around the counter and runs his hands up and down my arms. “Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll be here if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” I say, and meet his eyes. “Really, Ronan. That would have been so much worse if you hadn’t been there.”
“But I was,” he says. “I did what any man would do.”
I don’t think just any man would, but I smile. “Still, thank you.”
“Get some sleep,” he says.
A part of me wants to invite him upstairs. I’m exhausted, but I don’t really want to be alone. I don’t even have to wonder whether he’d accept. I know he wants me; he’s made that perfectly clear. But my logical side speaks up, reminding me that I’m hurt and vulnerable. It would be easy to take solace in Ronan’s arms, but what would happen next? What would we do when the adrenaline wears off and we have to face life again—the life where he’s my boss and I have to keep him at a distance?
“I’ll see you in the morning,” I say, and go upstairs to bed.
***
“Selene.”
A voice jolts me awake and I clutch at the sheets. My heart is racing, and I’m so disoriented I have no idea where I am.
“It’s okay.” There’s a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I think you were having a nightmare.”
I blink a few times and realize what’s happening. I’m at home. We were at a bar, and … oh, god, I don’t want to think about that. Ronan is sitting on the edge of my bed, his face almost lost in the darkness.
I take a few breaths, trying to calm down. “What happened? Did I wake you?”
“No, I wasn’t asleep,” he says. “I heard you cry out, so I came to see if you were all right.”
“I’m so sorry.” A wave of embarrassment washes over me. This night just keeps getting worse.
“Don’t be,” he says. “Were you dreaming?”
I pull the sheet up higher. I’m only wearing a thin tank top and panties, and I’m suddenly very aware of Ronan’s closeness. “Yeah.”
“About what happened?”
I nod. “I can’t seem to get rid of it. Every time I close my eyes, it’s like it’s happening all over again.”
Ronan takes a deep breath. “Scoot over.”
“What?”
“Scoot over,” he says, lifting the sheet.
