Page 103 of Riot

“Sit on the bed.” It’s an order, but I deliver it softly.

“Are you coming too?”

I nod. “I’m just gonna get out of these wet clothes.”

I wait until she’s closed the door before I get naked. My jeans are tossed in the shower tray to deal with tomorrow, and I cover my hips with a towel.

I steady my breath, pushing down my own internal war to fight her battles.

When I step into the bedroom, she’s sitting where I told her to, clutching the towel around her body. I check Seren is okay in her cot before giving Ivy my back. Ain’t gonna force her to see me naked. Not when she’s so vulnerable already.

I grab a pair of joggers from the drawer and step into them quickly. Once I’m covered, I refocus my attention on her. Always on her.

In another drawer, I find some tees and I offer one to her, but she makes no move to take it.

“You want me to help you?”

She blinks, as if coming back to the moment. “Uh… yeah, sure.”

“Stand up for me.”

There’s not a flicker of anything in her eyes as I take care of her. Every movement feels choreographed, mechanical.

“You don’t need to baby me,” she murmurs.

“I’m not,” I say.I’m just not letting you fall apart alone.

Her head turns towards the cot. Seren sleeps, oblivious, safe. “She’ll need changing soon.” Ivy sinks into the pillows.

“I’ll take care of it,” I assure her. “Just try to sleep.”

Seeing her in bed sends a possessive wave through me. I want her in mine. Every fucking night.

“What about you?”

“I’ll take the sofa, baby.”

Her brows knit together. “Please don’t leave me alone.” Her voice is fearful, hesitant. “What if someone…”

Fuck.Of course, she’s fucking scared. Someone was in her bedroom. There’s nowhere that feels safe for her right now.

I close the gap, sitting on the edge of the bed beside her. “No one can touch you here, Ivy. You’re safe.”

Her fingers trail over my chest, tracing the lines of my tattoos. My muscles quiver, but I don’t stop her.

“I don’t know how I feel about any of this, but I do know, despite everything, I still love you.”

I close my eyes.Thank fuck.“You don’t have to know. For now, just be.”

Silence swallows us, her fingers still moving over my tattoos.

“Do they have meaning?” she asks.

“Some of them,” I say. “Some I got just because. Others… ‘cause I was markin’ something.” I hesitate for a beat. “I’ll tell you about them one day.” It’s a promise, a statement of the future I’m hoping to build with her.

Her hand moves lower over my abdomen, and then she palms my cock. I suck in a sharp breath, caught off guard. Before my brain can catch up, her fingers are at my waistband.

I grasp her wrist, and she raises her eyes to mine. Uncertainty mixes with hurt, and fuck, I hate it, but this ain’t how tonight is going to play out.

---