Page 78 of She will Always be Mine

Once she’s gone inside the attached bathroom to change, I breathe a sigh of contentment and utter relief that she’s back. The restlessness and urgency I felt finally settles into calmness and happiness. I take the rest of my clothes off and go lie down on the bed.

My mind takes me back to that night I got her phone call. I had never felt so scared, worrying I might have been too late. So, it was a huge relief to know she still has her fire and sass.

It means I can still save her from whatever—or,whoever—is tormenting her.

It’s also one of the many reasons why I always want her close to me. She has no clue I have cameras placed all over the apartment but it’s for her own protection.

I’m not taking any chances when it comes to her safety, especially with Zain still out there, pissed and hungering for blood. I’ll die before I let him harm my Nyra or lay even a single finger on her.

I’m pulled out of my dark thoughts when the bed dips and I turn to see Nyra slide under the covers. A smile tugs at my lips when she stays close to the edge, even putting a pillow in the middle of the bed to put some distance between us. Her attempts at keeping me at arm’s length are just too adorable and surprisingly entertaining.

Throwing the joke of a pillow aside, I stretch my arm and drag her to my side, her back against my naked chest.

Like a glove, she fits me perfectly.

Satisfaction swells inside my chest when she doesn’t pull away and sighs heavily, but I know she’s happy inside.

“Why did I even bother?” she grumbles and I only hold her tighter.

“No more space,” I whisper in her ear and place a soft kiss underneath. “Sleep now, my little liar.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

NYRA

I feel the presence of a warm and hard body pressed against my back, the scent addictive and familiar. A heavy arm lays across my breasts, cupping one of them while calloused fingers tease my nipple, rubbing it back and forth. The pleasure shoots down my spine and elicits an ache in my core.

My body says to relax and bask in the heat that rocks me.

Yet my mind doesn’t cooperate.

Because my nightmare always starts this way. It fools me into safety, only to use my body against me as a weapon, a trap that lands me into the arms of my monster.

One whose blurry face I can never see.

Always taunting me, taking what only belongs to Riaan.

So, before I become paralyzed by the fear, I push against those hands but like always, they tighten their hold. I can never seem to get away.

Tears that feel way too real soak my cheeks as I beg, “Please don’t. Let me go.”

Riaan’s voice calls my name but it sounds close yet too far away. Is this some new trick my fear is playing on me?

I struggle harder, my brain hazy and those hands continue holding me down.

He’s coming. I just know it.

Maybe if I keep my eyes shut, he won’t hurt me. Because today, this nightmare feels too real. It’s like I’m surrounded by the scent of Riaan, his worried voice calling for me, but I know it’s bait. He’s not here. He’s never here.

I kick my legs and shake my head. “You won’t taint me.”

“Nyra! Wake up!”

Suddenly, a hand wraps around my throat and squeezes slightly. The threat of losing my air makes me wrench my eyes open and jerk awake with a gasp.

Instantly, the hand on my throat moves to cup my face carefully and I stare into the black-as-night eyes of Riaan, watching me from above with concern and fear.

I blink to make sure I’m not stuck in my nightmare, afraid my tormentor’s face will replace his. My heart beats a frantic rhythm and I run my hands all over Riaan’s face, his neck and chest, to make sure he’s real. He saved me…for now.

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