Page 89 of Saviors

But I knew better. This was my savior. The man who kept me safe.

He pried my shirt from my grasp. The fabric slid along my skin as he pulled it over my head. He was always taking care of me.

When he wrapped his arms around my waist, I sighed into his chest and inhaled his scent. It comforted me. It was like coming home after a long time away. But different because I’d never felt that way about my childhood home.

“Yes, you are.” He stroked my hair, trying to soothe me. But that gentle touch sent me over the edge. He didn’t know the darkness inside. He couldn’t see how damaged I was.

A sob tore from my lungs. My jaw clenched as I tried to hold it in, but I couldn’t. Maverick’s arms tightened as I collapsed. He held me up as my nails dug into his chest. As the tears kept coming.

“S-something is wrong with me.” I watched the salty water slide down his muscles. Disappear between us. “I shouldn’t have liked that.”

“Says who?” His hands gripped me even harder, like he was trying to push those thoughts from my mind.

“I don’t know. I just shouldn’t have. After what I’ve gone through, I must be insane to enjoy what you did to me.”

“That’s bullshit!” Once again, he surprised the tears out of me. His sharp tone had my head snapping up to look at him. His gray eyes danced with rage, but it wasn’t directed at me.

His touch was soft as he cupped my cheek. He swept away the last of my tears. Pressed a kiss to my forehead. I felt his breath tickling my skin as he whispered.

“Life is hard. You have to take happiness where you can or you’ll never survive. Read the smutty book. Watch the trashy movie. Fuck your crush. Ride the roller coaster. Be safe, but don’t stop yourself from enjoying life because this world will take more than it gives. Every fucking time.”

I gasped as he held me so tight I could barely breathe. But I relished it. Savored his words. His closeness as I wondered if he was one of the things life was giving to me or if he’d be taken away.

46

Violet

My stomach twisted as I stared at the closet. At the rows and rows of dresses. Choices.

All the clothes Ivette had picked out for me. The ones the guys bought. It was overwhelming. Especially because I didn’t know where Reid was taking me.

I hated this part of myself. The part that Simon had beaten down. Picking out an outfit was never a problem for me before. Just like deciding what to eat. Where to go. But now it seemed the only thing I could decide was that I wanted Maverick, Reid, and Connor.

I wanted them to take care of me. To make my life easy. Make me feel safe. Feel good.

The pieces of my old life that clung to me said it was wrong. I should be strong. Independent. I shouldn’t need them so much.

But as I stared at the clothes, unable to make a decision, I knew I did.

“Wear this one.” Reid’s warmth seeped into my back as he pulled a midnight blue dress from the rows.

It was a wrap style that cinched at the hip with a silver clip. The fabric was silky in my palms as I grasped it from him. I watched as he gathered silver earrings and a diamond pendant that I hoped was fake, to go with the outfit. Next, he bent down and picked out a pair of heels that were sheer blue to match.

The accessories elevated the dress. But its long sleeves were modest, telling me we weren’t going to the club. My outfits for Eros had a subtle sexiness about them.

He left the shoes near the closet and the jewelry on the dresser before approaching me. He brought a single finger under my chin, tilting my head to look at him. “Wear red lipstick and your hair down.”

His blue eyes pierced me in place. It was like I was under a spell. Not a part of me wanted to move away from him. Only my lungs expanded and my heart beat.

When he looked at me like that, I forgot all my problems. Forgot what I was doing. All I wanted was to listen to him. Hear his deep voice tell me what to do.

An exhale echoed through my body as he broke the spell, stepping back. I watched the muscles in his arms flex through his suit jacket as he moved to the door. “That’s it?”

I clutched the dress to my chest, trying to hide my disappointment. And the hard points of my nipples. There was a restlessness under my skin that begged for him to keep touching me.

Life was easier when they touched me. I didn’t have to worry. Didn’t need to think.

“I saw you struggling to pick an outfit. I only came in here to help.” His lip tipped up, but it wasn’t a smile; more a suggestion of one. “To take care of you.”

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