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She sniffled and rubbed at her eyes.
“No crying,” he said sternly.
“I’m not.”
“Are you sure about that?” He hated the idea of her crying. The thought that she might ever be sad enough to cry made his stomach ache.
His girl should never be that sad. And she wouldn’t be if he had his way.
“Yep,” she replied.
“Good.”
She let out a shuddering sigh. “I feel exhausted, yet like a big weight has been lifted from me.”
Yeah, he felt exhausted too. And like a huge weight had been placed on his shoulders. But he welcomed that weight. Relished it. If it meant that she could live freely without fear or worry, he’d take everything she could throw his way.
She yawned, and he stood. “Let’s get you to bed, baby. You’ve had a big day. First day back at work after fainting, then the best first date imaginable, followed by telling me all of that.”
“The best first date imaginable?” she asked as he held out his hand.
He’d had to quell his initial thought. Which had been to pick her up in his arms and carry her to bed.
He had to take more care with her.
“Yep. I know you were calling it that in your head.”
“It’s like you’re a mind reader,” she said dryly.
“What can I say? It’s a gift.”
“Yeah? What am I thinking right now?” she asked as she followed him into the bedroom.
“You’re thinking, damn, that Raid Malone has one fine ass.”
“Wow. You’re good.”
He sighed. “I know. Now, do you want to get ready for bed? I’ll sleep on the couch tonight. It’s comfier than the blow-up bed.” He’d get rid of the blow-up bed tomorrow.
“You don’t need to sleep on the sofa.”
Fuck. Did she not want him here? He wanted to give her whatever she needed. But he didn’t want to leave her.
He also had to find a way to protect her and be less controlling. The last thing she needed was him trying to take over her life. That asshole had manipulated and undermined her.
Raid didn’t want her to ever compare the two of them.
“I want to give you what you need, baby. But I can’t leave you alone. Not until I make sure that this bastard isn’t going to get to you.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Um, Raid. You can’t spend all your time with me.”
He frowned. “I’ll work it out. When you’re at work, you should be safe. The rest of the time, I want you with me. The ranch is safe, so you can come there with me.”
“I, uh. You can’t do that.”
“Darlin’, I get that it feels like I’m smothering you, but I have to know you’re safe.”
“No, it’s not that. I just . . . it sounds like a lot of hassle.”
He cupped her face between his hands. “You are never a hassle. And I want to stay here with you. I couldn’t sleep if I left you here alone.”
“I want . . . I want you to sleep here, too.” She gave him a shy look. “But won’t the sofa hurt your back?”
“It will be fine. Go get ready for bed.”
Was that a flash of disappointment on her face? He couldn’t figure out why, so he shrugged it off and got to work making sure the apartment was secure.
Hannah climbed into bed and lay staring at the ceiling.
Tonight had been . . . a lot.
She was utterly exhausted, and yet her mind wouldn’t quieten.
You should have just asked him.
She’d tried to hint that she wanted him in bed with her . . . but she couldn’t bring herself to out and out ask him.
Because what if he rejected her?
Hannah knew herself well enough to know that would devastate her.
So instead of asking for what she really wanted . . . she was in here alone and he was out there.
A tremble rocked her body.
“Raid?” she called out.
“Yeah, darlin’? You okay? You want a glass of water? Painkillers? Milk?”
Lord, he was so nice. And attentive. Protective.
Ask him.
“No, I’m good. Just wanted to say good night.”
“You were really brave telling me all that, darlin’. Don’t forget that I’m proud of you.”
Those words warmed her from the inside out. Then she rolled over, curling up into a ball.
It took a while for sleep to come.
She couldn’t breathe.
She clawed at the hands wrapped around her neck, but she was too weak.
This was it. She was going to die . . .
“Tell anyone what happened, and I’ll come for you . . . I’d like to play more with this pretty body. I could make you beg so prettily.”
“Hannah! Fuck! You need to breathe! Hannah, wake up!”
Someone shook her, and she opened her eyes. She couldn’t breathe. Oh God. Shit. Shit.
She clawed at her neck, ignoring the pain of her fingernails scoring her skin.
“Stop. Shit, Hannah. Stop, you’re tearing up your skin.” Raid grabbed her hands, drawing them above her head and pressing them there.
