Paradise Found: Cain (Paradise #2)(7)

When she was exiting the dance floor, her legs gave out. I wasn’t there in time, but I slithered in and scooped her up before anyone else could touch her. Her friends were definitely not convinced I should take her, until I told them I wouldn’t accept any other measures. Sofie Vincentia was coming with me, to my room, and here she lay, almost naked in my bed, with a serious hangover and a swollen ankle. And my heart, gripped unknowingly in her hand.

I sat back, appearing casual, but holding my breath. The curtains were pulled together except for a thin seam allowing a sliver of light to filter in.

“Cain?” She spoke in a hoarse voice. A shaky hand came up to her face and brushed back chestnut waves. She squinted at me then tilted her head to the bedside stand. Trembling fingers reached for her glasses, which she slipped onto her face and blinked in my direction.

“Cain?” Her head rolled from side to side, assessing her whereabouts. Her hand slid down the sheet that covered her and she halted. Her expression face changed from disbelief, to shock, to frustration. Bolting upright, she took the sheet with her to cover what she realized was a mostly naked body. Bracing the cover over her breasts with one hand, the other slapped onto her forehead.

“Oh my God,” she muttered, then released her head and reached toward her ankle. It was clear she didn’t know which part of her body to focus on. The pain in each had to be overwhelming on top of finding me in the room.

“How did I get here?” she inquired softly, staring at me in utter confusion. Her fingers decided massaging her temple was the priority. Her other hand gripped the thin sheet, as a barrier to her body.

“You were drunk. And you fell,” I offered as the simple truth. I couldn’t tell her more. I couldn’t give her all the reasons why she was with me.

“Why am I not in my room? Where’s Lindee? Maggie? Lucie?”

“I have no idea where those girls are, or who they are. They aren’t my concern.” The answer was direct, and also true.

“Why am I not in my room?” she repeated.

“Because I want you here instead.” Want was the wrong word so I amended. “It’s safer for you here,” I corrected.

She stared at me. The reflection of the light coming from behind me on her glasses caused a glare. I couldn’t see her eyes. Reaching forward hesitantly, I removed them.

“I can’t see without them,” she clarified, but that was a lie. She could see well enough, and I didn’t need her scrutinizing me. I’d rather remain a little blurred in her vision. It was safer for me.

“I’ll have your things moved here. Your contacts are in your bags, I assume.”

“My things? Moved here?” she questioned with a slow stutter, as her hand slipped through those waves that tumbled back into their wayward place. My fingers desired to brush them back for her, and my hand flinched in a magnetic attraction. My body was out of control near her, as the rising of my dick became a testament. I shifted slightly, attempting to adjust the growing length in my pants. I didn’t want her to see what she could do to me. Yet.

“I need to keep you with me. My father…” I drifted off. “It isn’t going to be safe for you if he knows I’ve found you.” I hung my head, avoiding her eyes.

“Your father…” Her voice faded. We sat in silence, independently remembering what my father had said to her. How he treated her was unforgivable, and I had done nothing to protect her in the moment. I took a deep breath before I continued.

“Sofie, there are things about me you need to know. Things I know I need to explain, but for now, I’m asking you to trust me. I need to protect you from my father, until I can figure out what to do about you.”

The words were wrong and her face pinched. She lifted a shaky hand to her forehead again to massage her temples.

“Do about me?” she muttered. Her voice trembled.

“How much did you drink last night?” I questioned. Her skin was pale, lighter than normal.

“I lost count after one,” she replied, without looking up. I snorted lightly. In a moment of lucidness, I’d tried to get her to drink some water, and forced two tablets down her last night. She’d raised her arms, while I removed her shirt, and wide eyes met mine briefly. I commanded she take the pain pills with a sip of water. She obeyed, but when I laid her down on the pillow, she was out again. I slipped off her skirt, trying not to peek at the tempting lace undies that my fingers had already explored. Unlatching her bra had been the most painful process. Two gorgeous globes of white skin released. Ripe nipples stood at attention, calling my name for a lick. My dick strained at the thought. But I couldn’t do it.

“Here,” I said, reaching for the water glass on the nightstand. She flinched back from me and I stilled. I put her at risk by bringing her to my room, but I didn’t want her to be afraid of me. Once I made that conscious move, I accepted the responsibility that came with it. I needed to protect her. Harming her was the furthest thing from my mind.

“I was just going to hand you some water,” I clarified, and I sat back without fulfilling my mission. Her trembling arm stretched for the glass instead. She sipped slowly, closing her eyes as she quenched her thirst. As she neared the last of the water, her eyes opened and she stared at me over the rim. Lowering the glass, she continued to examine me. Her lips glistened with moisture and her tongue snaked out to lick it dry. My dick jolted. I had to sit back, allowing some space in the confines of my pants.