Reflected in You(20)

For the first time, our physical closeness wasn't enough to calm the desperate wanting inside me.


"Shh," he soothed.


"I'm here.


Not going anywhere."


Closing my eyes, I buried my face in his neck, wondering if we'd both be too stubborn and stay, even if it turned out that it would be best to let go.



Chapter 4



I woke with a cry that was muffled by the sweaty palm mashed over my mouth.


A crushing weight cut off my air as another hand shoved up beneath my nightgown, groping and bruising.


Panic gripped me and I thrashed, my legs kicking frantically.


No .


Please, no .


No more.


Not again.


Panting like a dog, Nathan yanked my legs apart.


The hard thing between his legs poked blindly, ramming into my inner thigh.


I fought, my lungs burning, but he was so strong.


I couldn't buck him off.


I couldn't get away.


Stop it! Get off me.


Don't touch me.


Oh, God .


please don't do that to me .


don't hurt me .


Ma-ma! Nathan's hand pressed down on me, squashing my head into the pillow.


The more I struggled, the more excited he became.


Gasping horrible, nasty words in my ear, he found the tender spot between my legs and shoved into me, groaning.


I froze, locking in a vise of horrendous pain.


"Yeah," he grunted.


".


like it once it's in you .


hot little slut .


you like it ."


I couldn't breathe, my lungs shuddering with sobs, my nostrils plugged by the heel of his palm.


Spots danced before my eyes; my chest burned.


I fought again .


needing air .


desperate for air -  "Eva! Wake up!" My eyes snapped open at the barked command.


I heaved myself away from the hands gripping my biceps, gaining my freedom.


I clawed away .


fighting the sheets that bound my legs .


tumbling down .


The jolting impact of hitting the floor woke me fully, and an awful sound of pain and fear scraped up through my throat.


"Christ! Eva, damn it.


Don't hurt yourself!" I sucked in air with deep gulps and scrambled toward the bathroom on all fours.


Gideon scooped me up and gripped me to his chest.


"Eva."


"Sick," I gasped, slapping a hand over my mouth as my stomach roiled.


"I've got you," he said grimly, carrying me with brisk, powerful strides.


He took me to the toilet and tossed up the seat.


Kneeling beside me, he held my hair back as I heaved, his warm hand stroking up and down my spine.


"Shh .


angel," he murmured, over and over.


"It's okay.


You're safe."


When my stomach was empty, I flushed the toilet and rested my sweat- drenched face on my forearm, trying to focus on anything but the remnants of my dream.


"Baby girl."


I turned my head to find Cary standing in the threshold of my bathroom, his handsome face marred by a frown.


He was fully dressed in loose jeans and a henley, which made me aware that Gideon was fully dressed, too.


He'd lost the suit earlier when we'd first come back to my apartment, but he wasn't wearing the sweats he had put on then.


Instead he was in jeans and a black T-shirt.


Disoriented by their appearances, I glanced at my watch and saw it was just after midnight.


"What are you guys doing?" "I was just coming in," Cary said.


"And caught up with Cross on his way up."


I looked at Gideon, whose concerned frown matched my roommate's.


"You went out?" Gideon helped me to my feet.


"I told you I had some things to take care of."


Until midnight? "What things?" "It's not important."


I shrugged out of his hold and went to the sink to brush my teeth.


Another secret.


How many did he have? Cary appeared at my elbow, his gaze meeting mine in the reflection of my vanity mirror.


"You haven't had a bad dream in a long time."


Looking into his worried green eyes, I let him see how worn down I was.He gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.


"We'll take it easy this weekend.


Recharge.


We both need it.


You gonna be all right tonight?" "I've got her."


Gideon straightened from his perch on the lip of my bathtub, where he'd taken off his boots.


"That doesn't mean I'm not here."


Cary pressed a quick kiss to my temple.


"Holler if you need me."