Page 110 of Trapped In You: A BWWM Romance

The tremble of her voice.

The clop of her heels.

I clench my fists as if I’m eight years old again and gripping the railing, too scared to make myself known. No, Mom. Don’t go. Don’t leave me.

I wake with a start.

My chest is heavy like the world is sitting on top of me, gravity grinding me to ashes. Sweat plasters my shirt to my chest, making me feel sticky and extremely hot.

I can’t breathe.

Damn.

Why can’t I move?

“Sh,” a voice says.

I turn my grainy eyes to the left and realize I’m not alone. A woman is sitting on the edge of my bed.

Not Linda.

This is someone else. She’s slim. Tight, curly bun at the nape of her neck. Dark brown eyes. Big brown lips.

Shanel.

Her name pours from my mouth like rain in the desert.

Everything inside me releases. Just bursts to nothing but joy.

The lights are off.

It’s dark except for a dim lamp on the nightstand.

My vision’s blurry too, but I’m sure it’s her.

It has to be her.

“Shanel.” I moan.

Reaching out, I grab her hand.

It feels real.

So damn real.

“It’s okay.” She holds a damp rag that she gently pads against my forehead. “It’s okay, Hawk. I’m right here.”

I bring her wrist to my mouth and press my lips against her throbbing pulse. “Speedy.” Tears press against my eyes. “I thought you were gone. I thought—I thought you were hurt somewhere. And it made me crazy thinking I couldn’t find you.”

“Hawk…” Her voice cracks and a tear falls down her cheek.

I lift my thumb and gently wipe it away. “I couldn’t protect my mom. I let her walk away and then she was gone.” My breath gets caught in my throat. “I won’t let that happen to you. I swear. I’ll protect you with everything in me. I’ll protect you… so don’t disappear.”

More tears fall down her face.

I wipe them all gently. Capture them in my palm.

Cradle her chin.

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