Page 4 of Midnight
As soon as he closes the door behind him, I jump into bed and pull the covers over me.He's a cop, so I know he will protect me.I'm pretty sure what my dad was trying to do is against the law.I know he stood to make a lot of money and my running foiled his big plans.
I'm also pretty sure he will be trying to find me.While I don't think there is any way he can track me here, I think if he did, I'd be safe.I want to sleep with the light on, but I don't want to look like a silly little girl to Nate, so I take a deep breath and turn off the light.
In the dark, every sound is amplified.I can hear the water running faintly from Nate's shower and the scratches on the window from the branches are louder.In fact, every sound is louder, and scarier because my mind thinks behind every shadow my dad is there.
I can't do this.
Nate
When I get out of the shower, I resist the urge to go check on her.Finally, getting my cock to go down, the last thing I need is another reason for an ice-cold shower.Before I came in here, I set the alarm to the apartment, and it's a good one.I have my gun under my pillow, and this is a safe neighborhood.I can let her be for now.
Taking my time I get ready for bed because the last thing I want to do is sleep.Instead I peek out into the hall and see her light is off in her room.She must have fallen asleep.Thank God for small miracles.
I get into bed and just lay there thinking about tonight’s drastic turn of events.What if I hadn't driven down that road?What if I hadn't taken this temporary assignment?Everything that had to line up for me to find her tonight means that someone was watching out for us.
Laying there for over an hour, I still can't fall asleep.Finally, I decide to peek in on her and make sure that she's doing okay.Maybe seeing for myself that she's safe and sound asleep will allow me to actually get to sleep myself.I get out of bed and quietly make my way down the hallway.Then I slowly and quietly open the door.
What I don't find is her asleep safely tucked under the covers.Instead I find her sitting up with her back against the headboard her legs pulled up in front of her and her arms wrapped around them.From the dim light in the hall, she looks scared and that's the moment that I break.
"Harper, why didn't you come to get me?"I sigh, stepping into the room.
"It's stupid I shouldn't be this scared.This is probably the safest place I've been in years."
I don't think.I just walk over to the bed, slide a hand behind her shoulders and the other one under her legs and pick her up and carry her back to my room.There's a small voice in the back of my head yelling that this is a horrible idea, but I can't leave her there scared, either.
After settling her in bed, I crawl in beside her.Right away, I can feel her visibly start to relax and as much as I want to hold her in my arms, I can't.She finally drops off to sleep and in her sleep, she turns and rests her head on my shoulder mumbling something about feeling safe.
Turning my head away to look at my nightstand, I know I won't sleep so it's a good thing I don't have work tomorrow.The time on the clock by my bed catches my eye.
It's midnight.
Just one more day.
Chapter 4
Harper
FallingasleepinNate'sbed is the most comfortable and safest I've ever felt.It's also the best night's sleep I can remember getting in years.The only part that sucked was that I woke up alone.
I got up and found him in the kitchen on his on his tablet.
"Good morning.I'm just scanningThe Daily News.There's coffee if you drink it, if not there's orange juice and milk in the refrigerator.I had fruit and yogurt for breakfast, but there are eggs in there I can make for you as well.Also, I have cereal if you prefer that," he says not even looking up from his tablet.
Today his voice seems more distant, and I'm not sure what to think.But I don't want to be a bother so I pour myself some orange juice and grab a yogurt and fruit from the refrigerator.Then I sit down across from him at the table.
As he continues to scan the news, I eat silently.Not once does he look up at me or speak to me.When I finish my food, I take my bowl and cup to the sink, wash it out, and place it on the drying rack before turning and standing there awkwardly.
"What is the plan for today?"I finally ask, not quite sure what to do.
"There's a TV in the living room.You’re free to watch as I catch up on some stuff here," he says with no emotion and never takes his eyes off the tablet in front of him.
First off, I wouldn't know where to start with a TV, as I was never allowed to watch TV at my father's house.Since the only TV was in the living room, I would always hide in my room and read.
"You don't by any chance have any books I could read instead, do you?"I ask hoping that I'm not bothering him.
"No."
One word and a tone so close to annoyance just like my father's.My eyes start to water because this is not the man that I came home with yesterday.
