Chapter 156
Just enough that he has to tilt his head slightly downward to look at me.
“Next time,” I say lightly, “if you want to apologize p>
He narrows his eyes slightly.
“I clearly don’t p>
He stares at me and I hold his gaze calmly.
For a long moment neither of us says anything.
Then he exhales slowly.
“You’re unbelievable p>
“And you bought me a piano p>
“Yes p>
“So I’m still winning this argument p>
His jaw tightens but there’s a flicker of reluctant amusement in his eyes now.
“You’re very pleased with yourself right now p>
“Just a little p>
He shakes his head once, looking away toward the patio doors.
And for the first time since the conversation started… Zane actually looks slightly flustered which might be the most satisfying part of the entire evening.
“No p>
The scream rips out of my throat before I even know I’m awake. My body jerks upright in the bed, the sheets tangled around my legs, my breath coming in hard and uneven bursts. My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it’s trying to punch its way out of my chesr with the darkness in the room pressing in around me.
For a split second, I’m not here…I am somewhere else wirh cold air, concrete and that room, and the smell of damp walls and rust.
I try to move but my body feels trapped and heavy, like something is still holding me down there p>
“El.” A voice tries to cut through the panic, it sounds low and rough with sleep it sounds close too like it’s right next to my ear.
Strong arms wrap around me from behind before I can scramble off the bed. I’m pulled back against a hard chest, my back pressed against a solid wall of muscle. The sudden contact makes the panic spike again.
“No get off me!” I shriek, twisting violently in the sheets. My hands push against the arms around me, trying to get away from the grip, mt body is still half in the nightmare, reacting before my brain can catch up.but the hold on me doesn’t loosen.
If anything, the arms tighten slightly not painfully, just enough to keep me from flailing myself off the bed.
“Elaine. Stop p>
His voice is calmer this time and much firmer.
“Look at me p>
My lungs drag in another shaky breath, then another.
The scent reaches me next it’s something oddly familiar and grounding that slowly cuts through the haze of fear.
My movements slow.
Then the realization hits me that I’m not there, the room, the bed and his arms around me. I sag back against him, the fight draining out of my limbs like someone pulled the plug out.
It was a dream Just a dream.
Zane’s hand moves slowly through my hair, smoothing it back from my face. The gesture is careful, almost instinctive.
“I’ve got you baby,” he murmurs.
His chest rises and falls steadily behind me.
“You’re safe p>
I nod weakly, my cheek brushing against the warmth of his chest as I lean back into him without really meaning to. His heartbeat is slow and steady under my ear, grounding in a way I hate admitting.
For a moment neither of us speaks. My breathing slowly evens out, but the remains of the nightmare still clings to my skin like a second layer.
It’s been a while since I’ve had that one.
Weeks, maybe. But it’s long enough that I almost convinced myself it had stopped.
Apparently my brain had other plans tonight.
I close my eyes briefly but that room never really leaves, not completely. It sits somewhere deep in the back of my mind like a locked door I can’t quite seal shut. Most days I manage not to look at it, some days I pretend it’s just another bad memory. But nights like this remind me that a piece of me never actually walked out of there, a piece of me is still stuck in that cold, suffocating darkness. And it’s not coming back.
Zane’s hand keeps moving slowly through my hair, his fingers brushing my scalp in a quiet, repetitive motion.
It should be comforting and It almost is, but then another thought pushes its way to the front of my mind and my jaw tightens slightly.
Right.
I pull away from him.
Zane’s arm loosens immediately, letting me shift without resistance. The sudden space between us makes the bed feel colder.
He watches me carefully in the dim light filtering through the curtains.
“You okay?” he asks.
His voice is still thick with sleep.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed, running a hand through my hair.
“I’m fine p>
It comes out flatter than I intend as I stand up, grabbing the edge of the blanket for a second as the last of the adrenaline leaves my body.
Behind me, I can feel Zane’s eyes on my back.
“Elain p>
I cut him off by heading straight toward the bathroom. The tile floor is cold under my feet as I step inside and flip on the light. The brightness stings my eyes for a second.
I grip the edge of the sink and stare at my reflection.
My hair is a mess and my breathing is still slightly uneven. There’s a faint sheen of sweat along my neck.
I look like someone who just ran a marathon Or someone who just escaped a nightmare.
Again.
Behind me, I can hear Zane shifting on the bed, the faint rustle of sheets carrying through the open bathroom door.
I’m still angry at him and him holding me through the nightmare doesn’t magically erase that, buying me a piano doesn’t erase that either. If he wants to apologize, he can use his actual words like a normal human being.
Until then p>
I turn the faucet on, letting cold water run over my hands as I try to steady myself… I’m not letting him off that easily.