Page 37 of Sachie's Hero

She jerked and cried out and then held her breath, her entire body stiffening as if experiencing the shock of witnessing her patient’s suicide all over again.

Teller couldn’t stand the horror etched across her face. He had to do something to bring her out of the nightmare. Slipping his arm around her back, hegathered her close, cradled her against his body, and smoothed his hand over her hair and down her back. “It’s just a dream, Sachie. You’re not in your office. You’re with me.” His heart breaking at her distress, he pressed his lips to the top of her head. “Please, wake up.”

Sachie pressed her face into his chest and sobbed.

“Oh, Sachie, it’s only a dream. You’re not even on Oahu. You’re on the Big Island, and I’ve got you. “You’re going to be okay,” he said, repeating it over and over.

She raised her head, her eyes wet and red-rimmed, and stared at his face. When recognition dawned, the stiffness in her shoulders evaporated, and she melted into him, laying her cheek against his damp shirt. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. You’re okay. I’m here for you,” he said, stroking her hair.

“Every time I have the dream, I know the ending, but I keep trying to reason with him,” she said. “It doesn’t change the outcome.”

“And, sadly, it won’t,” Teller said.

“Why can’t I dream about being attacked in the cottage or by the drone?” She laughed, the sound trailing off on a lingering sob. “At least the ending was better.” She blinked up at him. “I’m sorry. You’re notgetting much rest. You were supposed to leave when I went to sleep.”

“I’m okay. I drifted off.”

“You don’t have to stay. You need your sleep.” She didn’t move out of his arms.

She was warm and soft and fit perfectly against him. Teller had no desire to leave her. “I’m all right where I am—if you are.”

She nodded. “But you can’t be comfortable. At least lie down.”

He scooted down the bed and lay back against the pillow, all the while holding her in his arms. When at last they were lying side by side, he gathered her close. She rolled onto her side and rested her hand and cheek against his chest. Her breath warmed his skin beneath his T-shirt.

“If all we do is lie here, it’s resting our bodies,” he said. “You don’t have to go back to sleep if you don’t want to.”

“I don’t,” she murmured, her fingers curling into his shirt. “I’m not the least bit sleepy.” Her voice trailed off, and she yawned.

“Good,” he said softly. “Neither am I.” Truth was that he was more awake than ever, his body fully aware of hers pressed against him. His groin tightened automatically.

“Teller?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

Teller focused on tamping down his desire to hold her even closer. The last thing she needed from him was a sexual advance. Given her past, anything between them would have to be initiated by her. And she’d have to be fully awake and aware. “Yes, ma’am?”

“You make me feel...safe…” Her words trailed off, and her breathing grew deeper.

Safe.

He almost laughed. She wouldn’t feel so safe if she knew how much he more he wanted to do than just hold her. However, hearing her confess how she felt set him on the right path. His desire cooled.

Though he told himself he was content to just hold her, he knew it was a lie. He’d have to keep up his guard against more carnal feelings for this woman. She had enough problems without her protector becoming one of them.

While he lay with her in his arms, he directed his thoughts to the following day and what they hoped to accomplish on Oahu.

Eventually, he drifted into a fitful sleep, having his own nightmares of an attacker getting to Sachie before Teller could reach her. He woke all the more determined to identify her stalker and take him down.

Teller’s number one goal was to keep Sachie safe until they successfully neutralized the threat.

CHAPTER 10

When Sachie woketo the sound of her alarm, she stretched and opened her eyes, taking a moment to remember where she was. When the memories flooded back in, she turned to the empty space beside her, wondering if falling asleep in Teller’s arms had been nothing more than a delicious dream that had chased away her recurring nightmare.

She glanced around the room, the gray light of predawn giving her just enough light to verify she was alone. Her chest tightened with a longing she didn’t expect. After her nightmare, she’d slept deeply. The fact she’d been held in Teller’s arms had to be the reason. The good night’s sleep wasn’t the only reason for the unexpected and overwhelming longing shewas experiencing. She’d liked being held. And not just by anybody.

Teller hadn’t asked for anything, hadn’t come on to her, hadn’t berated her for being scared. He’d wrapped his arms around her and held her until she woke up, and then while she finally slept.

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