AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Not me.
Damn it, I wanted it to be me.
After a quick shower, I put on underwear and slide between the cool sheets. And then I lie there wide awake for what feels like hours.
I was hoping I could get my mind off Layla, but I can’t. I can’t stop thinking about the fact she’s probably going to say yes to Reese tomorrow. And of course that leads to the inevitable questions and concerns.
What if they hit it off?
What if she ends up liking him and they take their relationship to the next step?
It’s entirely possible that she could, at one point, want to have sex with him. How the fuck am I going to function after that?
With a sense of dread, I realize the truth—I won’t be able to. If she becomes involved with someone, I’ll have to ask to be reassigned. And that thought’s depressing as hell.
I’m still awake an hour later when I hear something that sets my senses on alert. It’s coming from next door.
I hear it again—a cry, followed by a whimper.
I’m out of my bed in a heartbeat, taking time only to pull on a pair of sweatpants before I race out of my room. I don’t bother to knock on her door. I barge right in. The room is dark, and it takes me a second to make out her form on the bed, huddled beneath the covers. “Layla?”
She’s thrashing, and her limbs are tangled up in the bedding.
I sit on the side of the bed and gently grip her shoulders. “Layla? Wake up, honey.”
She wakes with a start and shoots up into a sitting position. Her eyes are wide with fright, and she glances around as if disoriented. “Where are they?”
“Where’s who? There’s no one here.” I coax her to face me. “Layla? You’re safe.”
She looks around the room as if she doesn’t quite believe me, but finally the tension in her body eases, and she turns her head to face me. “I dreamed about the ball gag.” She circles her wrists. “And the handcuffs.” She lifts haunted eyes to meet mine. “Those men were here in my room.”
“That’s not possible. The ones who are still alive are in jail awaiting trial. They’re never getting bail.”
Her entire body shudders, and she lies back down.
There’s no way I can leave her like this, not when she’s scared and shaking. Making a quick decision, I lie down beside her, on top of the bedding, and press my body against hers. I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. “It’s okay. You’re safe. I’ll stay with you.”
She melts into me, as if seeking warmth and security. Gradually, the shaking eases until it stops completely, and I lie awake in the dark, wondering how I’m going to survive this. She sighs quietly, and then her body relaxes back into sleep.
I want her.
But I can’t have her.
Instead, I’m supposed to hand her over to some fucking jackass who doesn’t deserve her, who doesn’t evenknowher. And it’s fucking killing me.
I lie here with her, holding her close, to protect her from the world that is sometimes too much for her.
* * *
The next morning, shortly after we arrive on campus, Reese is waiting for Layla on the front steps of the building where her anatomy class is held. As we approach, he leans back against the red brick wall, trying to lookoh, so casualand cool. Dressed in ripped jeans, a burgundy UChicago hoodie, and high tops, he looks like he just came from a fashion shoot. And I’m sure that’s not a coincidence.
“Hi, Layla,” he says as he pushes away from the wall and walks toward her.
She slows her steps. “Hi, Reese.”
He jogs down the last couple steps to meet us. He’s standing one step above, so he towers over her like a giant. He gives me a brief, calculating look before he turns his attention to her. “How’s it going?”
“Fine,” she says, craning her head up to see him.
