Page 59 of Property of Spike

It all comes back in a rush. Our conversation, the realization of just how much danger he’s in. My chest tightens again, the panic threatening to rise, but Spike must see it because his hands move, one cradling the back of my head, the other gripping my fingers tightly.

“Hey,” he murmurs. “You’re safe. I need you to breathe, baby.”

I focus on him, his presence grounding me. “I was just… thinking about something happening to you,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “Chuck hates you. If he finds out you’ve been hiding us…”

“Stop,” he orders, shaking his head. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

My eyes snap to his, frustration bubbling up. “How can I not? You’re acting like you’re untouchable, but you’re not, Spike. You’re going up against someone dangerous, and I can’t just sit here and pretend that doesn’t terrify me.”

His expression softens, and for a second, something flickers in his eyes. Something raw. “I know,” he says quietly. “And I hate that you’re scared. But I swear to you, I’ve got this. Chuck isn’t gonna touch you or Asher, and I sure as hell won’t let him take me out either.”

He leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “I need you to trust me, baby.”

I close my eyes, exhaling shakily. “I do trust you, Spike. That’s not the problem.”

He pulls back just enough to meet my gaze. “Then what is?”

I swallow hard. “The problem is… I don’t think I can survive losing you. Weeks ago, you said,I want you to be so in love with me that you’ll go insane without me by your side.Well, here I am, so deeply in love with you that the mere thought of you being taken from me is unbearable.”

For the first time, Spike doesn’t have a quick response. He just stares at me, something unreadable in his eyes, before finally pulling me into his arms, holding me like he’s afraid I’ll disappear.

And I let him. Because for now, in his arms, I can breathe again.

***Spike***

“Abby,” I say around the pulsing in my ears, my voice barely above a whisper. “Will you please take Asher for a few hours?”

Abby lifts a brow but doesn’t question it. A soft smile tugs at her lips as she nods. “Of course,” she laughs. “We’re going to hang out in the main building. Maybe I can talk Crusher into playing his guitar.”

I barely register her words as she gathers Asher and leaves. The door clicks shut behind them, leaving just me and Riley in the quiet room.

I hold Riley a little tighter, feeling the way her body trembles against mine. She hasn’t spoken since Abby left, and I don’t push her. Not yet. I just sit there on the floor, cradling her, stroking her hair, letting her feel me. Solid, unmovable, here.

Her fingers curl into my shirt, gripping tight, like she’s afraid I’ll disappear if she lets go.

“Riley,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

She pulls back just enough to look at me, her eyes shining with something raw.“I’m okay,” she says, but I can hear the lie in it.

“No, you’re not,” I counter gently. “And that’s okay.”

Her breath shudders as she exhales, and then she does something that damn near breaks me. She buries her face in my chest and whispers, “I just need you.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, my arms tightening around her. “You have me, baby. Always.”

She tilts her face up, and the look in her eyes steals my breath. There’s vulnerability there, yes, but something else, too. Desperation. “Please.”

That one word wrecks me.

I don’t rush. I don’t push. I just press my lips to hers, soft and slow, letting her feel my every desire.

Her hands slide up my chest, over my shoulders, pulling me closer. I shift, lifting her effortlessly, and carry her toward the bedroom. She doesn’t protest, doesn’t pull away. She just holds on, like she needs this as much as I do.

When I lay her down, I don’t move right away. I brush my fingers over her cheek, tracing the curve of her jaw, memorizing her all over again.

“Are you sure?” I ask, my voice thick. “You just had a baby, Riley. I don’t want to hurt you.”

A soft smile tugs at her lips. “The doctor you brought in a few days ago said I was healed. I’m okay, Spike. I promise.”

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