Page 38 of Keep Me Safe

Jared perks up slightly.“That actually sounds fun.”

Noah smirks.“Yeah, it’ll be a good family outing.”

I make a face. I’m not sure I love that phrasing.

Noah just winks, and I roll my eyes, but my stomach does a stupid little flip anyway.

Later that night, I’m lying in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Ishouldbe thinking about work tomorrow. Or, hell,anythingelse. But all I can focus on is what happened in the kitchen with Noah.

There was something there. Iknowthere was. The way helooked at me when I touched him—there’s no way he didn’t feel it, too.

But in the end, it doesn’t matter.

He’s Jared’s dad.

The cashier at the store today thought he wasmydad, and when I corrected her, she looked like she was about to call the cops.

I exhale, curling the blankets tighter around me, forcing my mind to go blank.

I can’t let myself think about Noah like that.

I close my eyes and push him out of my thoughts.

No, please, no!

He doesn’t listen. Can he hear me?

I try to stop him, but I’m not strong enough, the alcohol slowing me down. He hoists me up over his shoulder, a grin plastered on his face.

Let go of me!

His grip tightens around me, and he opens a door. No, no, no. I know how this ends. I have to get out of here.

I need to fight back!

I’m pulled back to reality by Noah’s strong hands on me.

“Kira, it’s okay, I’m here,” he whispers.

I haven’t had nightmares like this in over a year. I thought I was past it, but seeing Zach must have triggered them. I can only imagine what Noah thinks. Tears stream down my cheeks as I look up at him.

“Kira, what is going on?”

“Can you just stay with me again? At least for a little bit?”

Reluctantly, he nods, sitting on the bed. Before, when I would have nightmares alone at night, I wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep afterward. I was too afraid of going back into the nightmare. With Noah last night, it was different. He made me feel safe.

He lays back on the bed beside me, and I look up at him. I want him to hold me so I can sleep, but I don’t know how to ask. He seems to realize, holding his arm out so I can cuddle closer.

“I really shouldn’t be in here,” he says.

“I know, but I’m glad you are.”

His body is warm and hard beneath me. Wrapping his arm around me, he pulls me into him. His touch causes my skin to heat, and I try my best to keep my thoughts PG.

He’s here because he wants to make sure I’m okay, not because he wants anything to happen between us. I make it all ten seconds before I bring my hand up and place it on his chest, slowly tracing down his abdomen. He sucks in a breath, grabbing my hand.

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