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“It’s okay, little bird. You’re okay.”
My eyes fly open, locking on the face of the man pinning me in place as another scream loosens from my petrified throat.
Vaughn’s black eyes are brimming with concern as his grip on my wrist tightens. “You’re safe, Wren. It was only a bad dream.”
Bottom lip quivering, tears fill my eyes, and I slam them closed with a shake of my head. “It wasn’t a d-d-dream.”
My voice catches on a low sob, remembering now. “It was a memory. Of…of that night.”
It’s flashing before my eyes like I’m watching a movie.
My call to Matt while driving home.
The darkness of my usually bright driveway.
The blow to my temple by the man with the bright eyes.
I suck in a breath before emotion overwhelms me, and I fall apart even as I try to fight it off.
“Let it all out, little bird.”
Vaughn releases my wrists, sitting back on the bed as he gathers me onto his lap. My tear-stained face is pressed against his broad, bare chest as he rubs soothing circles with his palm across the top of my back.
He hums tunelessly, the vibrations of his chest soothing as the even sound of his solid heartbeats thump beneath my ear, and I nestle closer, inhaling his soothing scent. Absorbing the comfort of his firm embrace.
I can feel myself relax as my mind drifts, the large palm on my back urging me back to sleep.
I’m on the cusp of wakefulness when my back meets the coolness of my sheets as Vaughn gently places me back in my bed. I feel him pull the sheets up over my body before he bends low over me, pushing my long hair back from my face.
“Sleep now. I’m here with you.”
And right before sleep overtakes me, he dusts his lips across my forehead as his voice follows me into a dreamless sleep.
“You’re safe with me.”
CHAPTER18
WREN
It had taken me an entire morning in my studio to realize that, although his words of rejection had stung, they were the first ones he’d spoken to me in almost a week.
Combined with the fact that he’d been there last night when I needed him only reinforced my decision.
Backingdown is not on the agenda.Doublingdown is.
And it’s with that in mind after a light lunch that I take extra special care with my appearance. My makeup is much heavier than I’d normally go for, with my hair tumbling down my back in loose waves when I pick up the short, deep purple dress I had express delivered from Saks specifically for today’s assault.
It’s satin with thin straps holding my perky boobs in place instead of a bra, and it stops just below my ass, similar to the dress that helped create this rift between us in the first place.
I lace the straps of my utterly over-the-top stiletto heels up along my calves before surveying myself in the mirror.
As I take in the image I present, I stop for a beat. Hesitation flows through me until I meet my own gaze, the gray of my irises deepening in determination.
I’llmakehim see me. He can’t continue to ignore me. Not after this!
Mind made up, I grab my bag and make my way to the studio.
My outfit gains more than a handful of looks, with Ford stopping me at the foot of the stairs leading to Vaughn’s office. “Page me if you need me.”
