Page 29 of Shattered Dreams
Max could hear the conviction in Elliot’s voice. “Just do me a favor, if she wakes up and needs more care, call me? It might help to hear my voice on the phone.”
“Absolutely.” Elliot agreed. “I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I’m working blind here. I’m learning fast, but the last thing I want to do is fuck this up.”
“Language, man.” Max choked out.
“Crap. Not even two minutes and I broke our pack. Reset?”
Max laughed, his mind a bit more at ease. “Why not. I’m sure we’ll be resetting often. See you in the morning?”
“Count on it. Now try to get some sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow may be trying.”
Max groaned at the thought of transferring back home, then dealing with not only his wife, who still didn’t realize he was coming home - but also with Elliot. “You could be right. Night.”
Chapter Twelve
“Shhh, it’s okay.” The warm male voice soothed Lizzie as she struggled free of the nightmare. “Daddy’s here. I won’t let anything bad happen.”
She turned toward the voice, immediately seeking comfort from the warm body behind her. Curling up tight against it, she let the tears flow, the horrible dream still clinging to her as she fought off the last vestiges of sleep. “He’s dead. He left me.”
“No, I promise you sweetie, he’s fine and coming home to you.” A broad hand rubbed up and down her spine. “Master would never leave you willingly.”
“Promise?” She clung to his words, her need for solace blinding her to the fact that she was home and in her lonely bed. Maybe she was still dreaming. That’s what it was. The handsome detective had once more invaded her dreams, and this time he fought off the specter of death, keeping her safe.
“Absolutely. Would you like to talk to him?”
“Can I?” Sleepily, she nuzzled the fur covered chest under her cheek. Unlike Master who only had a smattering of hair across his chest, Daddy had a thick pelt of curlies that teased her cheek.
“Absolutely.” He shifted to his side a bit, depriving her of the warmth she craved. She mewed in her throat and scooted after him.
“Whoa.” A firm hand pressed against her side, halting her process. “Don’t knock Daddy off the bed.”
“Cold.” She whispered. “So cold.”
“Shhh, I got you.” His arm returned around her, bringing the welcome heat back.
In her daze she heard the rumble as he spoke to someone who...was not there - as if it came from a long distance. All she needed at the moment was the warmth surrounding her. Daddy said he would protect her, keep Master safe too, she thought in a daze.
“Sorry to wake you, Maxwell. She had a nightmare and woke up crying for you.” There was a pause. “Wait a second, let me put you on speaker phone. I’m not sure if she’s completely awake. She’s doing her puppy impersonation again.” There was a shift, then Master’s voice filled the room.
“Lizzie?”
Her eyes cracked open. “Master?”
“Who else would it be? Elliot said you had a nightmare?”
“I…” Reality crashed down on her, and she jolted upright in bed. “…sorry…I…he…” she babbled as she realized that it wasn’t a dream, that Elliot was actually in the bed she shared with Master. It was one thing to share it with Rainy when Master was gone, and entirely another to share it with the man who’d been featured in several of her erotic dreams.
“Da..rn it. She’s freaking out.” Elliot leaned back and flipped on the light. “Calm down, sweetheart. He knows I’m here. We agreed that after your punishment, you shouldn’t be alone tonight.” He cupped her face between his palms. “You have no reason to feel guilty. Tell her, Maxwell.”
“That’s right. I gave him permission to come into our home, so he could take care of you until I come home in the morning.”
Lizzie latched onto the words. “You did?”
“Of course, I did. What kind of man do you think Master Elliot is? He’d never take advantage of the situation. He just wanted to make sure you’d be alright. You were sobbing last night. You know what that means.”
Lizzie settled down, looking up into Elliot’s green eyes. “I…didn’t accost you, did I?” Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He was shirtless, but now that she had her senses about her, she could feel the rough denim of his jeans against her legs.
“Only if you consider snuggling accostment.”
