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“There,” Lucian said, having cleaned me off and inspected me for any burns. “I’ll get you some water.” He took off again, and when he returned, he insisted, “Drink.”
I did, the cool water helping my scratchy throat. Thankfully, I didn’t breathe in too much smoke.
“Thank you,” I said, setting the glass down on the coffee table. He was still looking over me fretfully, like he couldn’t believe I was unharmed. I insisted, “I’m all right. You don’t need to worry. You got to me in time.”
He looked into my eyes a moment longer, nodded, then sat beside me, letting out a long sigh as he leaned back against the cushions.
He looked exhausted, and I couldn’t blame him. He’d been working a long shift before getting the news about my apartment, and then had to rush in without knowing if I was still alive.
He raked a hand through his hair, his expression troubled as he stared down at his lap. I could almost sense that his thoughts were going back to how this was somehow his fault.
“I’m tired,” I said, bringing his attention back to the present. “Let’s go to bed.”
Lucian’s eyebrows lifted. “My bed, or…? I have a spare room…”
Why he thought I wouldn’t want to be with him right now, I couldn’t begin to guess. “I want to be held tonight, if that’s okay.”
He smiled softly and nodded. “I can do that.” He stood up and offered his hand, and I took it as he led me upstairs.
I initially had my doubts that I’d be getting any sleep tonight, but as I snuggled under his covers with my back against his warm chest, I fell asleep just about as soon as my head touched the pillow.
Despite everything that had happened, I felt protected in Lucian’s arms, and that was enough to ease my mind and help me drift off into a deep sleep.
Chapter 12
Lucian
I awoke to afamiliar scent—the smell of fresh coffee wafting through the air. I rolled over to find that I was alone in my bed, the sheets still warm from Zoe’s body.
I sat up and stretched, rubbing my eyes as I listened to the sounds coming from downstairs. I could hear Zoe moving about in the kitchen, humming softly to herself as she made breakfast.
A slight smile tugged at my lips as I got out of bed and pulled on a pair of sweatpants. It felt good to have someone else in my house, especially someone as sweet and caring as Zoe.
If only it had been under different circumstances…
I shook those thoughts away and headed downstairs, my bare feet padding softly against the hardwood floor. I found Zoe in the kitchen with her hair tied up in a messy bun, whisking away at some eggs in a bowl.
“Good morning,” I greeted her as I leaned against the counter.
She looked up and smiled. “Morning. I hope it’s okay that I raided your fridge. I figured you could use a proper breakfast.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you.” My gaze lingered on her as she went back to mixing the eggs. Her hair was disheveled, and she was wearing one of my t-shirts, which hung loosely on her short frame. It was an adorable sight.
She glanced back at me and said, “Oh, and I raided your closet for a shirt.”
I sat down at the table and rested my chin on my hand. “My entire house is yours to raid.”
She shot a smile back at me, then turned her attention to the pan. She seemed to be taking things… way too well. I was sure she was just in shock, and I’d have to be there for her when she finally let it all sink in.
“You sleep okay?” I asked.
“Surprisingly,” she responded, adding some butter to the pan.
I nodded and watched her work, my eyes roaming over her curves, admiring how beautiful she looked as she moved around my kitchen.
I had always expected to live in this house alone for the rest of my days, so getting a glimpse of what life with Zoe could be like… It filled my chest with an unfamiliar lightness.
I couldn’t deny that I was falling for her, and I was falling fast. And it wasn’t just my beastly instincts. It was all of me, man and monster. She was everything I could ever want and more, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.
