Page 85 of Shielding Aubree

Ruben lifted his hands and rubbed them gently along her upper arms. "I'm not going to say that you being hurt was a good thing, because it wasn't. I am going to tell you that I know without question that you and I were meant to be. I would have found you regardless of the Refuge."

She smiled back at him. "Maybe in a coffee shop?"

He grinned. "I'd ask to share your table."

"What about the grocery store?" She gave the side of the bed a pat and waited for him to sit beside her. "What about that?"

"I'd ask you what I could cook for you and what flavor of ice cream is your favorite."

He tucked her against his side on the bed.

"We're going to have plenty of time for talk about ice cream, honey. I'm going to take some time off from the Refuge so we can take time together."

She smoothed her hand across his stomach and hugged him closer. "Or maybe I can come with you. Come back to the Refuge. That... man stuck me in his trunk, and I didn't lose my mind."She managed the hint of a smile. "I held myself together in that tiny space, keeping my mind on other things. I had to use every exercise that I got from working with Henley, but I was still close to losing my shit. But now, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, and I think this is the right time to go back and see what else I can do to really put this all behind me."

She hesitated.

"I know they said I could come back at any time but I'm wondering if there's even a cabin for me to stay in."

Ruben leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Well, it turns out that I have a cabin on the grounds. I think you could stay with me if you want."

Aubree moved on the bed until she had the room to half-drape herself over her Ruben's body. "You don't mind sharing the bed?"

"With you?" He chuckled and helped her settle against him. "Any time."

“Good,” she stifled a yawn and heard him hold one back, too. “Now hold me close so I can feel you breathing through the night.”

“Anything you need,” Ruben cradled her close. “I’ll always try to be there to shield you from the world.”

Aubree slipped her hand under his t-shirt and enjoyed the feel of his body quivering under her touch. “I hope you don’t mind,” she murmured as she felt his muscles trembling under her touch, “if I try to do the same for you.”

His voice was rough when he spoke again. “You already do, Aubree. You already do.”

---