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“Would you mind if I got on the bed . . . and maybe held you?” He didn’t want to do anything that might frighten her more. If she wanted him to stay on his knees next to the bed all night, then that was what he’d fucking do.
He wished he could make all the shadows in her eyes disappear. But he knew it wasn’t something he could wave a wand for and magically make it disappear.
“I . . . I . . .”
Shit. He’d pushed her too hard. He held his hands up.
“It’s all right. I’ll just stay here. Whatever makes you feel more comfortable.”
“It’s not . . . it’s not that. I’m all sweaty and gross and—”
Before she could finish that, he was on the bed. He forced himself to hold out his arms rather than just pulling her onto his lap. “Come here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Greer,” he said warningly. “Get your ass in my lap now.” He grimaced after saying that, but it seemed to do the trick as she climbed into his lap.
“I don’t give a shit about how you smell.” He held her tight. “I just want to give you what you need.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and twisted into him, pressing her face into his neck.
He ran his hand up and down her back. “Just relax. You’re safe. I would a hundred times prefer that you woke me, rather than suffering on your own. I am not upset.”
Greer couldn’t believethat she’d woken Hack up with her nightmare. She’d learned a long time ago not to make too much noise so she didn’t scare the neighbors.
Having the cops turn up on her doorstep at two in the morning because her neighbors reported hearing screams from her apartment . . . was very motivating. And humiliating.
“Are you sure you’re not upset?” The idea of upsetting him made her feel all icky inside.
“I am not upset,” he told her firmly, wrapping his hand around the back of her neck.
She needed this. Him holding her so tight that she felt like she could never break free.
It was weird, but she felt like she could finally take a deep breath. As if her worries and stresses were disappearing as he held her.
She couldn’t go anywhere . . . he was in charge. And she could be . . . nothing.
Was nothing the right word? It wasn’t like she was worthless. More like she wasn’t a mess of worry and fears. She was just Greer.
“I told you. I will only be upset if you put yourself in harm’s way. If you are hurting or ill or need me and you say nothing. And then, I’m only going to be upset because I’ll be worried about YOU. Not because of my feelings or concerns.”
“But you matter too.”
“Course I do.” He let out a low chuckle that had her insides melting. “Don’t worry, baby. You’re not taking advantage of me. The more you need me, the more seen and valued I feel.”
“Really?” She always thought that neediness would put people off from becoming her friends . . . or more.
Is that why you stopped trying?
It just seemed easier to hide away. To not put herself out there. Of course, now she was almost desperately lonely and touch-starved.
Was that a thing? Or had she been reading too many fantasy books? It felt like a thing. As though she couldn’t get enough of him holding her. Of his skin next to hers.
“Really,” he replied. “You tell me what you need and I’ll give it to you.”
She nuzzled at his neck, unable to help herself. Then she froze. Shit.
He is not your emotional support person.
