Page 59 of The Darkest Knight

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Seth opened his eyes and saw nothing but darkness. He turned his head and read the digital clock, “Three A.M..” What the hell had awakened him?

A deep moan sounded from his bed partner, followed by a thrashing of her arms. She ripped at the sheet and tore it off their bodies.

Reese was having a nightmare.

He flipped on the lamp and rolled over, facing her. “Sweetheart, it’s okay. I’m here.” He attempted to pull her close, but he must have scared her. She punched him hard in the nose. “Shit!”

As if the awake switch was turned on in her, she came up on the bed, blinking and swiping the sweat from her forehead. “Seth? What happened?”

“It’s okay, baby. It was only a bad dream.” They’d spent every night for the last two weeks sharing his bed, making love, getting to know each other…and he didn’t want to make a big deal out of a nightmare, although he knew she feared this would eventually happen.

“You’re bleeding!” She came to her knees, the corner of the crumpled sheet falling from her naked body.

He touched his fingers to his nose and felt the wetness. “No biggie. Just a bloody nose.” He grabbed a wad of tissues from the nightstand and dabbed at his nostrils.

“I did this, didn’t I? I hit you.” Her face went pale and her wide eyes glazed over. Would she cry? He didn’t want her to.

“It’s my fault, Reese. I tried to comfort you. I knew better.”

His assurance seemed to only make things worse.

“I told you this could happen.” She slid off the bed, reached down and pulled on her wrinkled panties and jeans.

How were things unraveling so fast? “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s not let this get out of hand. Come back to bed.” The blood didn’t seem to want to stop running and had turned the tissue to crimson. He grabbed more.

“Really? You’re bleeding and you don’t think it’s out of hand?” She dragged on her shirt and crossed her arms over her chest.

“I’ve had worse.” He winked, wanting to make things lighter, but she was hell bent on putting herself through the wringer.

“I can’t believe I hit you.” She shoved her feet into her flip flops.

“Where are you going?”

“Away. Back to my cabin.”

“That’s not necessary. Look, it’s stopped bleeding.” He pulled the tissue away, only to have it start bleeding again, this time dripping down to his chest. What the fuck was wrong with him? His knife wound hadn’t even bled this much.

Tears filled her eyes and slid to her flushed cheeks. “This isn’t normal. I’m not normal.” She sobbed. “I’m a danger to everyone around me.”

He slid out of bed, keeping the tissue pressed against his nose. “Reese, we’ll get through this. I’m not hurt. Don’t let the blood fool you.”

Her shoulders slumped and he knew no matter what he said, she wasn’t going to listen…not right now. So, when she called for Abby, who begrudgingly got up from her spot on the dog bed he’d gotten her, he didn’t attempt to talk her into staying. The door shut quietly and he heard her faint footsteps on the porch, and his heart ached. He wished he knew the right words.

The next morning, he dragged himself out of bed, feeling like crud as he climbed under the spray of the shower. When he stepped out and swiped his hand through the condensation on the mirror, he groaned. He stared at his reflection and shook his head. He had a nasty looking black eye. “Fuck!” This would only make matters worse.

Truth be known, Reese could punch like a badass woman. He’d give her credit for that. He hated that she wouldn’t take this lightly. After she’d stormed out last night, he’d hoped they could discuss the issue calmly and she’d see that he wasn’t scared off, and that his feelings hadn’t changed. In fact, this only made him love her more. Maybe if he’d been less of a pussy and told her his feelings before now, she’d see that he could face anything as long as she was with him.

His cell rang from the nightstand. He tucked the towel around his hips, grabbed the phone on the third ring and read the screen. He clicked ‘talk’. “Declan? What the hell you doing calling so early?”

“Guess who found out about the project at Landing Knight?”

Seth strolled into the living room, opened the door to let Spike out to do his business, leaving it ajar, and took a seat on the couch. “Hell if I know. I haven’t kept it a secret.” He stretched his legs on the coffee table.

“Aunt Lucy and she was in my office first thing with one of her incredible ideas.”

Oh no! Seth swiped a hand down his face. “Do I want to hear what she’s planning?”

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