Page 66 of Lush

He opened a drawer and pulled out a shirt for me. “You can wear this.”

I took the shirt, and he left.

I quickly threw on the shirt and hopped into bed. His scent was faint on the sheets, and the mattress felt so comfy. I was almost asleep when I heard a soft knock.

Reese stepped in before I could say anything, carrying an ice pack, a bottle of water, and a couple of aspirin.

“Here,” he said, putting everything on the nightstand next to me. “You need to take these. Help with the swelling.”

I sat up, grabbed the aspirin and water, and showed him I took it.

“Are you alright?” he asked, leaning in.

I just nodded. I was too tired to fight, but I still really wanted him to stay.

“Reese…stay,” I breathed, the words lingering between us.

He looked at me, his expression unreadable, hesitationflickering across his face. But he said nothing. He got in bed next to me and pulled the covers over both of us.

The warmth of his body radiated against mine as I nestled my head on his shoulder, the soft hairs on his chest tickling my cheek. His heart beat beneath my ear, a slow, powerful rhythm.

“This wasn’t random,” I murmured.

Reese exhaled sharply. “I know.”

The blackmailer had gotten violent.Fast.

I hated the way fear curled inside me, the way my chest tightened at the memory of the attack. I had always been untouchable—too rich, too powerful, too carefully guarded. Until now.

“I don’t know what they want,” I admitted. “I thought it was just money, but this—this was personal.”

Reese’s grip tightened, his thumb pressing into my side like he was holding himself back. “There was a car in front of my office…with an official seal.”

That made me look up. “Seal? Like?—”

“Yeah…”

Hmm… An official seal could belong to the yacht club? The resort?The mayor’s office.

“If they were willing to hurt me, they won’t stop here.”

“You’re right.” Reese’s voice was tight, but there was something in it—a promise. “If they’re willing to cross that line, they’re not backing off. And neither are we. Now sleep. I’m here.”

I closed my eyes, leaning into him again, my head resting on his chest. My breath slowed. My chest eased. That awful loneliness alleviated for a bit.

For the first time in ages, I slept.

CHAPTER 14

Reese

“Reese!Where the hell have you been? Mom’s been looking for you.” Jennie walked out of our family’s mansion. The open windows let out music as people laughed and came and went.

I barely heard any of it. My jaw was tight as I checked my phone—messages from the security firm, updates on the new patrol schedule.

Not enough. It still wasn’t enough.

All I could think about was her.

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