Page 35

Bad idea. She…“No.” Things were too tense between them. The intensity seemed to pulse in the air. When she’d gone downstairs, when they’d kissed…

Her whole body had screamed for more.

He’d stopped things before they went too far. Good. Because she felt out of control.

“All right.” Hunter’s hands were loose at his sides. “If you need me, I’ll come running back.”

“I’m okay. No one can hurt me here.”

“Damn straight, they can’t.” Still he lingered.

Was he going to kiss her again?

“It would be easier if I stayed,” he said.

Because he was so convinced she’d scream again? He was probably right. “I’m okay.” A lie, and they both knew it. But he jerked his head in agreement. Stalked for the door.

Before he left, Hunter looked back at her once more. She put her hearing aid on the nightstand and eased down against the mattress. Without another word, he turned off the overhead lights and left. Darkness didn’t surround her, though. The soft illumination from the nightlight pooled near the bed. Her head slid over the pillow. Shelby pulled in deep breaths. One. Two. Three.

Don’t wake up screaming again. Don’t wake up screaming again…

An hour later, she woke up screaming.

And Hunter came running up the stairs to her again. He didn’t hit the lights this time. Even though fear pumped through him because her screams were full of so much terror, he didn’t flood the room with bright illumination the way he had before. Instead, he went to her. Leaned over the bed. “Shelby?” He touched her shoulder. He bent closer to her, knowing that he needed to speak into her left ear so that she’d clearly understand him. Before he’d left her bedroom, he’d watched her place the hearing aid on her nightstand. “Shelby, you’re having a⁠—”

Her fist came flying at him. He caught it right before it clocked him in the jaw.

Shelby let out another savage scream. “Let me go!” Her other fist came at him.

He dodged. “Shelby.”

Her eyes opened. She sucked in a breath.

He let go of the wrist he’d been holding, and, this time, he reached for the lamp. The lamp light would be softer than the bright, overhead fixture. He turned on the lamp, needing her to see him clearly. “It’s me.” Deliberate words. “You’re safe.”

“I…” She scrambled upright.

One of the spaghetti straps had fallen down her arm.

His jaw locked.

Shelby began, “I’m so sorry⁠—”

“No more apologies. Not from either of us. We’re done with that.” He sat on the edge of the bed. That strap was falling down, down…and taking the nightgown with it. His hand reached out and slid the strap back up.

She sucked in a breath when he touched her. “Hunter?”

“Were you back there?” he asked her. Focus on her pain. Her nightmares. And not how gorgeous she is.

“I was outside. Trying to run away, but he tackled me. I-I came up swinging.”

“I know.” He pulled back. “You almost gave me a killer hook.”

“I—”

“Do not say sorry.”

Her lips pressed together.