Page 76 of I Don't Need Your Protection
My eyebrows knit as I think about what happened a few days ago. When I thought someone was acting suspiciously, but it turned out to be two students running to the dorms. Something woke her up. I thought I was being too loud, but now I remember the terrified and pained look on her face. She had a nightmare.
“I’m sorry.” I press my lips to her temple. “What can I do for you?”
“Hold me,” she whispers. “Please just hold me. You make me feel so much better, Caleb, and I know you’re not just doing your job. You care. You care a lot.”
Of course I care. She’s not just my charge. She’s become…well, I don’t know exactly what she’s become, but I would do anything—anything—to protect her.
We remain in each other’s arms, and I try not to think about her warm body pressed against mine. It’s selfish of me to focus on that when she just went through a terrible nightmare. But I can’t exactly help it.
Her breathing has gotten heavy, her chest rising and falling softly. She fell asleep. I gently push some hair away from her cheek, then stroke it with the back of my finger. I’m glad she felt safe enough to go back to sleep. I hope and wish she has a good dream this time.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Addie
My eyes slowly open, and the first thing I notice is a large, muscular chest in my face. What in the heck…?
Oh, right. My nightmare. Caleb holding me in his arms, letting me fall asleep on him. He didn’t leave my side all night. He could have gone to his bed once I fell asleep, but he didn’t. Or…did we fall asleep together?
My cheeks burn when I remember how nice, sweet, and caring he was after I woke up from my nightmare. I mean, after he woke me up. He held me so gently and carefully in his arms, like I was precious to him. Which is crazy because he’sCaleb. He’d never admit it, but he’s more than just my bodyguard. And I’m more than just his assignment. He made it perfectly clear that he’d do everything in his power to keep me safe, including staying in my bed to keep me relaxed and comfortable.
That’s why it’s so mortifying to wake up in his arms like that. But…I don’t hate it. I actually wouldn’t mind waking up like this every day…
Oh my gosh! What am I thinking about? I’m supposed to be getting close to Warner.
Caleb’s eyes snap open and he stares at me. He blinks around as it takes him a second to figure out where he is and how we ended up entangled in each other like this.
“Good morning,” he whispers, pushing some hair away from my face. Everywhere he touches leaves tingles, and I shudder slightly. “Did you sleep okay?”
“Yeah! I mean, yes. I did. I slept very well.” Because he held me and wouldn’t leave my side.
He smiles in relief. And I once again can’t help but notice how good he looks when he smiles. “I’m really glad to hear that.”
I nod because I don’t know what else to say. Or do. I’m trapped in his arms and can barely move, but I don’t really want him to let go. Even though he’ll have to soon because we need to get ready for school, I want him to hold me as long as possible.
From the expression on his face, I get the feeling he doesn’t want to release me, either. We just gaze into each other’s eyes like we’re getting lost.
After what feels like a long time, Caleb drops his gaze from mine and his body goes stiff. It’s like he’s been snapped out of whatever trance he was in. Lowering his arms from around me, he sits up and turns away from me. “We should get ready forschool.”
“Right.” I sit up, too. “We totally should.”
He nods slowly, though he still doesn’t look at me. “Get ready and then I’ll go to my room to shower and change.”
Considering I woke up all sweaty last night after the nightmare, I’d better take a shower, too. The problem with that is that once I’m inside, I can’t stop thinking about Caleb. And that’s not good. Because for starters, I have Warner. Second, Caleb is supposed to be my protector. Just my protector. Not someone who I’m thinking about in the shower.
I don’t want to compare the guys, but would Warner watch over me the way Caleb did? Would he climb into bed with me and say soothing things to me? I don’t think so, but I can’t know for sure. Warner is nice and fun to be around. That’s what I should focus on.
But darn it. I can’t get those ocean eyes out of my head.
“Stupid,” I mutter as I gently bang my head on the shower wall. Caleb doesn’t see me as anything more than a client. Sure he cares about me more than just a job, but it’s not like his mind is reeling with thoughts about me.
Is it?
Ugh. I seriously need to stop.
“Addilyn?” Caleb says from outside the bathroom. “Are you all right in there?”
Shoot. I’m taking way, way too long in here because I can’t stop obsessing over him and what happened.
