Page 75 of Cherry Auction

But I barely get them up over his butt before he’s twisting in bed and grabbing me around the waist.

“Careful, your bandages!” I cry.

He just grunts something like, “They’re fine,” before burrowing his head against my stomach, big arms wrapped around my waist. I blink down at him, this hulking giant wrapped around me like I’m his only comfort in this world.

I drag some pillows behind my back and settle against the headboard, then sink my fingers into his hair.

“Shhh, it’s all right, love,” I whisper, more tears pricking at my eyes even though I’d have thought I was out of tears by now. “It’s all going to be all right. Shhh, now. Everything’s going to be all right.”

His face burrows even tighter against my stomach and I blink up at the ceiling and cradle him to me. “It’s all right now, love.” And in the quiet of my billionaire’s mansion, I pray that my words are true.

THIRTY

DOMHNALL

I wokeup from a nap with Brooke still cradling me against her stomach in her lap. I pulled away and sat up, feeling strange. Stranger than I can ever remember feeling.

I felt drugged with comfort and… happiness. Like it was the first time in maybe my whole life that I’d felt what people mean when they say they feelat home.

Which freaked me the fuck out, so I immediately launched out of bed and asked Brooke if she was hungry. I’m supposed to be the one taking care ofher.

Professor Roberts visited in the late afternoon and had a session with Brooke. I was worried about how it would go.

Alright. I was fucking terrified Brooke would see the lightand leave with her. But Brooke just came out looking thoughtful and said she’d rather not talk about it. I was careful not to ask or pry. I’m trying a new thing called not-being-an-asshole. I don’t like it.

Things stayed in lighter territory over dinner. Then Brooke took a shower, and we started Titanic—one of her favorite movies back in the day—curled up in bed. That bizarre, homey feeling hit me hard again.

I’m about to turn off the movie at the halfway point before the ship starts sinking, just like she always used to make me do. But when I look over at her, she’s already out. I only pause it instead of turning it off. I like looking at her in the glow of the TV light.

I can’t imagine sleeping now that I’ve got her in my arms. I curl us in the bed on our sides, her back to my chest, and wrap an arm around her waist.

Fuck she feels so good in my arms. I can’t believe we’re here. I can’t believe I’m this lucky of a bastard.

So when’s the other shoe gonna drop?

Cause good shit like this just doesn’t happen to a lad like me. Yeah I got money, but I was still a miserable bastard, so it felt balanced.

Now though…

Happiness? Like the real, true deep kind?

I frown furiously at the warm feelings in my belly that have nothing to do with lust. Fuckingfeelings. How do I manage the goddamned unruly things and still stay incontrol? I’d say I was better off without them, but if they’re the price I have to pay for Brooke being here, I’ll man up and deal with it. I grit my teeth. One way or another.

I have to stay in control now more than ever. The stakes have never been higher.

Brooke makes an uneasy noise and shifts in my arms.

“Shhh,” I soothe and set my chin on the top of her head, enveloping her completely. She settles and I relax around her. “We’re going to be okay,” I whisper. “Everything’s going to be all right.”

I try to stay awake. I need to stay vigilant in case she needs me. Eventually my eyelids get heavy, though. I’ll just rest them for a few seconds at a time…

…

…

A scream startles me awake.

“No!” Madison cries at an ear-splitting volume. “NO! I’ll be good, I promise. Please!NO!”

---