Page 52 of Under an Endless Moon

“Otto.” Nails raked down my back as she clawed at me.

I wasn’t sure if she issued it within her dreams, but I let my lips drift down her head to her temple where I whispered across her soft skin, “I’m right here, Raven. I’m right here.”

I felt it the moment she came to coherency, and she gasped as she pulled back an inch. Enough that those inky eyes were blinking up at me. Saturated with surprise and uncertainty before they softened with this gutting relief that tore through me like a knife.

Moonlight danced within the endless pools, dragging me right down to their depths.

I could fucking drown in this woman. Float in who she was for eternity.

“Otto.” It was a quiet, haggard whimper.

I brushed my fingers through her hair. “I’m right here. Right here.”

A shuddering breath left her, and I could physically feel the tension drain from her as she shifted to curl herself around me.

Nearly came apart when she climbed right onto my lap.

Long, luscious legs wrapped around my waist.

Like as if on instinct, she knew that was exactly where she belonged.

I became painfully aware that my white tee she’d gone to sleep in had ridden up around her waist, and her lace-covered pussy was pressed up tight to my cock that I was trying to will into submission.

I could not fuckin’ get hard right then. Not when she needed my comfort. Not when she needed to feel safe.

Wasn’t sure that I was that strong, though, so I shifted us, unwinding her legs from my waist and lying us down so we were facing each other.

Keeping her close.

But not that fuckin’ close.

I stared at her, fingers gentling through her hair as if it could chase away her fear, soothe the sting of wherever her mind had forced her to go. Those eyes were on me.

Fierce.

Wounded.

Bright and still so fucking sad.

“It’s okay,” I muttered, trying to tamp the rage that blistered through me.

Unsure which bastard she’d been taken back to.

Wishing I’d been the one to wipe out every single one of them.

“Nightmares are still plaguing you?” I finally asked once she seemed to have caught her breath. I kept brushing my fingers through her hair. Unable to stop touching her. Hoping it would be enough to pull her all the way back to the here and now.

Would give anything to be able to end them permanently. But the only power I had left was to end the few that remained.

Her hair swished across my pillow as she gave me a slight nod. “Sometimes.”

“How often?” I pressed. Couldn’t stomach the idea of her waking up like this.

Alone.

Guilt tugged at my conscience at the thought that I’d abandoned her when she’d needed me most. But I’d had to put an end to it. Draw a line when my loyalties had become blurred.

Raven warred, teeth clamping down on her red bottom lip like she wasn’t sure she wanted to admit it. “Maybe once a week.”

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