Page 19 of Saved from Obsession

I can’t stop a small snort of laughter from coming out. Leo looks at me with furrowed brows, his expression confused. “What?”

“Sorry. It’s just… that sounds a lot more impressive than my modeling story. Here you are saving people’s lives and serving our country in dangerous locations around the world. And I modeled clothes for catalogs and websites.”

Leo’s eyes go a deep greenish brown, and he shakes his head at me. “No, Georgia. It’s not a competition. Don’t put down what you did. You built a career and a life in the city and made enough money to help your mom. Not to mention, you did it all on your own. There isnothingshameful about that.”

Why does he have to be so nice? It makes it so much harder to keep him locked securely in the friend-zone part of my brain. Feeling flustered and off-balance, I give Leo a quick, “Thanks,” and turn back to the game. Forcing my voice to stay light, I say, “I think it’s your turn.”

There are a few moments of silence before Leo answers, “Okay, Georgia.” He hesitates again, then he nudges me with his elbow before adding in a teasing tone, “I hope you’re ready to lose.”

I force a chuckle in response, but what I’m really thinking is: I’vealreadylost everything. And the one good thing in my life right now I know I have no chance of keeping.

* * *

“Georgia.”

The voice filters through a haze of panic and pain. It’s familiar, but too far away to reach me.

I’m back in the stairwell. Hot, stinking breath on my face. A large hand groping me. A cold edge—

Something drags at me, calling me to safety.

“Georgia. Wake up.”

A different voice, darkly chuckling. “You have to pay for your sins, Georgia. It’s the only way.”

Oh, God. The knife. My heart pounding out of my chest. Fear grabbing hold with vicious claws and shaking me.Is this really happening?

Then agony.

“Georgia. Sweetheart,wake up.“ This voice is rough and urgent, but not frightening. “You’re safe. Come back to me. You’re okay.”

Leo.

I grab hold of his voice and pull myself out of the dream. But the sensations are like a poisonous oil clinging to me. Even as I blink my eyes open, the images of my nightmare are still there.

But then Leo’s worried eyes capture mine, forcing everything else away. “Georgia.“ He sighs out a heavy breath. “You were having a nightmare. I couldn’t wake you up.”

Where am I? Glancing around, I realize I’m on the couch, the lights are all dimmed, and Leo is crouched on the floor beside me.

My brain understands that it was only a dream before my body does. While my brain is kicking back online, my body starts to shake.

“Leo.” His name is ripped from my mouth—I’m desperate for him to reassure me I’m safe. “The knife—“ my voice cracks. “I was there…”

“Oh, Georgia.” His face folds into creases and shadows of worry. “I’mso sorry.”

The memories are still crashing around in my head. My breaths are jagged gasps, words stuttered between them. “I could… feel… his… breath… then… cutting me…”

“Sweetheart.“ Leo leans closer to me, and his expression is tortured. Then he pulls me into his arms, moving so he’s on the couch beside me. One big hand comes to rest at the back of my head, the other at the base of my spine. My face is buried into his neck, and his musky scent and warm skin sink into me, drawing me further into his comforting embrace.

He rubs small circles on my back and murmurs, “It’s okay. I’ve got you,” over and over until my shaking finally settles. Then he gently sets me away from him, leaving a few feet of space between us. The loss of contact feels like a cold sheet of water crashing into me.

“Are you okay?” His jaw is clenched—almost like he’s in pain—and his brows are pulled down into a V.

“Yeah.”Not really. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be sorry, Georgia. There’s nothing to be sorry about.” His mouth pulls down, brows following with it. “I wish you didn’t have to go through this.”

My voice is soft and resigned. “Me too.”

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