Page 47 of The Truth Between

Finally, I got into bed next to her and pulled her close to me so that I could feel the warmth of her body against mine. She shifted slightly until she found a comfortable position. With Iris in my arms, everything I’d been thinking about or had done disappeared as I drifted off into a deep sleep.

29

IRIS

As I rested my head on Soren’s chest, I closed my eyes, allowing the rhythmic beat of his heart to relax me. The way his chest moved up and down was soothing in a way I hadn’t been expecting. It was how we woke up this morning, and I was completely confused about how we ended up in that position.

I’d gone to bed alone last night but woken up in his arms this morning. It was strange because it was the first time we’d ever slept in the same bed, and I thought, given how much I hated him and with him not attempting to force me into his bed so far, it meant that was something he wouldn’t do.

Once again, this was an instance when I had more questions than answers.

When Soren stirred, I waited to see if he would wake. His eyes met mine briefly before he shut them again. “Good morning,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

“Morning. Why are you here?” I blurted out.

“I wanted to sleep here with you, so I did.” He said it so matter-of-factly.

I was still in shock, trying to comprehend why he wanted to do that. This change in him was new, too new, if I was being honest with myself. He must have seen the confusion on my face because he began to explain.

“I know it may seem strange, but I just wanted to be close to you. Nothing more, nothing less.” His voice was sincere yet still contained the hardness that it usually had.

There had never been a doubt in my mind that he wanted to be near me, given how he’d stalked me, but this all felt weird. I swallowed hard as I thought about how I still wanted to leave here as soon as possible. A pang of guilt hit my stomach even though I knew I shouldn’t feel that way. After all, I had been kidnapped by Soren and was being held here against my will.

I sat up and watched Soren get up from the bed. I couldn’t help but follow him with my eyes as I saw each muscle shift with his movements.

“I’m going to get ready, and you should do the same,” he said.

“Why? What’s going on?”

“Nothing. It’s just time for breakfast.”

This whole exchange had me questioning everything as I stared at him before he turned on his heel and left the room. I didn’t move from that spot for several seconds, still confused about what had just occurred.

After getting ready for the day and eating breakfast, Soren and I decided to sit in the living room and enjoy the holiday scenery that still dressed the living room. Soren’s hands made their way to my hair and gently played with my strands. I could fall asleep right now because I was so comfortable.

Never in a million years would I have thought I would be in this position and content, but here I was.

As my eyes closed, the chiming of a doorbell slashed through the silence we were sharing. I jumped slightly and I lifted my head to look at Soren. Was he expecting someone and hadn’t mentioned it?

I sat up on the couch and allowed Soren to move. He quickly walked to the window and looked outside. I stood up too and watched as Franklin was about to open the door when Soren said, “Wait.”

Everyone froze.

Soren’s face turned to me. “Go upstairs and hide. Now,” he demanded, grabbing my arm and taking me toward the stairs.

I ran up the steps, confused about what was going on. “Who’s there?”

“Just do as I say and hide,” he said, leaving no room for argument.

I reached the top step and walked far enough back that I couldn’t be seen and waited for Soren or Franklin to open the door.

“Parker, what a surprise,” Soren said. “How can I help you?”

“We have a problem, and I need to speak to you in private immediately. I brought my sister along with me, but this will only take a minute.”

“Okay, come into my office.”

What the hell?

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