Page 51 of The Young & the Sinner

I pulled my legs into my chest and buried my face in my arms. Then I broke down. I vaguely heard the door to my room opening. I didn’t need to look up to know who was comforting me. I would recognize his scent anywhere.

“You’re going to be okay,” he said gruffly. “Maybe not today. Or tomorrow. But someday, you’ll be okay, and this will be nothing more than a distant memory.”

I nodded, even if he couldn’t see me.

“W-will you h-hold me for a while?”

“Of course, Livie. I’ll hold you for as long as you need me to.”

There was such conviction in his voice, I believed him. He pulled me carefully to his body, so unlike what Lorenzo had done to me before, and I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his scent.

I focused on nothing more than the spot there, as I gazed at the little stubbles of hair peeking out of his tan skin. I watched as his throat moved up and down every time he swallowed, until I couldn’t keep my eyes opened anymore.

I fell asleep in Mason’s strong arms, on my bedroom floor, trusting he would keep me safe. Trusting him when he said I would be okay.

I would be okay.

I had to be.

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