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Chapter Six
Ivy
I haveno plans to get out of this bed. Absolutely none.
How can I when my entire body is complete mush? I’d probably collapse on the floor in a boneless heap if I dared to try. And the last thing I wanted was to fall flat on my face again. Even if the aftermath brought a shockingly intense orgasm.
I don’t feel any shame or embarrassment as I continue to lie naked. Connor is caressing my arm, drawing unknown patterns over my sensitive skin. It’s an intimacy I’ve never experienced before.
My eyes flutter closed, the events of the day finally taking their toll on me. That contentment is ruined moments later when a strange buzz begins. My eyes pop open and my body tenses.
Springing up so I can lean back and rest on my elbows, I shoot a worried glance at Connor. His head is bent, resting on my abdomen.
“What is—”
“I’m going to kill him,” Connor grunts, rolling from the bed. His calm but grumpy attitude has me relaxing bit by bit. If something bad was happening, he wouldn’t be taking his time.
I have to stifle a giggle when he adjusts himself through his jeans, hissing.
“Think what you do to me is funny, angel?”
I give him a little shrug, pressing my lips tighter together. Scooting up the bed, I pull back the covers and slide in. Connor rounds the side and bends down to kiss me quickly. The move takes me by surprise but warms my entire body.
“Here. Put this on. I don’t want you to get cold while I’m gone.” He hands me the T-shirt he’d gotten for me to wear earlier. He’s so darn sweet.
“Where are you going?”
“To deal with my damn brother. That buzzing is one of my alarm sensors. Someone’s stepped onto the property and I’m betting it’s my overprotective brother.”
“Oh,” I reply, worrying my lip. “But you think everything’s okay?” I can’t help but think of all the trouble I’ve brought to his door today. He was the only one I could think to turn to, yet even knowing that I feel guilt building in my chest.
“Everything’s fine, angel. I’ll reset the alarm, tell my brother to get lost and then be back by your side before you know it.”
I don’t dare tell him I already miss him. That would be incredibly clingy. No matter how true it is. I give him a small nod, and he caresses the side of my face before striding out the door. The room already feels empty without him.
I shove the shirt over my head and wiggle down into the sheets, intending to wait for his return. My eyes grow heavy as I stare at the door, fluttering open and closed. I faintly hear the buzz of the alarm stop and the hum of Connor’s voice as he talks to someone.
As soon as sleep takes me, haunting dreams wash over. Dark images tinted with red play out before me, of my dad waving to me from the tarmac, of Rina pinching me, laughing. Her words play over and over in my head.
Pull the trigger. Pull the trigger. Pull the trigger.
I try to run but nothing happens; my feet are locked in place as a hooded figure steps out of the shadows, gun drawn.Pull the trigger.
I wake with a start. Scrambling up, I press a hand to my chest, feeling the rapid beating of my heart. I can’t catch my breath. Gasping for air, I rip the sheets away from me.
“Ivy?” Connor’s voice whispers beside me.
My head jerks in his direction. In the dim light of the morning, I can make out his body stretched out beside me. He’s on top of the covers.
I don’t know what comes over me but there’s no time to think it through before I’m moving. I crawl over to him and go effortlessly into his open arms, lying my body on top of his and holding him close. The pressure of his embrace helps calm my breathing. My heart rate slows and the dream fades away.
“I got you, angel. I’ve got you,” he repeats quietly into my hair as he pets me. Soothing me with both words and gentle touches.
“They’re getting closer, Connor. I can feel it.”
“No one will hurt you, Ivy. I promised you. No one touches what’s mine.”
I snuggle deeper into the crook of his neck, breathing him in. His words sink into my soul, repairing parts of me I didn’t realize were cracked. Safe and snuggled in his arms, I fall asleep again. This time with the knowledge that no matter what the world threw my way, I could handle it. If Connor was in my corner, by my side, I felt like I could take on anything.
