Page 7 of Blindsided

“I’ve got an afternoon game tomorrow, but text me what she says regardless,” Desmond demands, then he looks at Matthew. “Take care of her for me?”

“Always.” Matthew ends the call and hands me my phone. The timer beeps at the same time, indicating the pizza has finished baking.

When Matthew and I sit at his island to eat our pizza, the stress of the day finally catches up with me. I make it through one slice before my shoulders start to droop and my eyelids get heavy.

Matthew helps me carry my stuff upstairs and leads me into one of his guest bedrooms. It’s decorated in soft grays and has a small attached bathroom. It’s perfect.

“Thank you for letting me stay. I promise not to get in your way.”

“You’re never in the way, Tills. Sleep well, and let me know if you need anything.”

I barely manage to wash the makeup off my face before I flop down on the bed. I’m asleep within minutes. I just wish it was restful.

CHAPTER4

Matthew

Iflip over to my side, fluffing my comforter in the process. The weighty silence of my darkened room is usually enough to put me to sleep in minutes. That doesn’t seem to be the case tonight.

Having Tilly sleeping a few doors down has proven to be more distracting than I anticipated. I can’t stop thinking about what happened. Why would someone do this to her? She’s the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. Not only is she beautiful on the outside, she’s beautiful on the inside, as well. That combination is rare, especially given her career.

Being one of the top models in the industry hasn’t stopped her from also being one of the kindest. I’ve followed her career from the very beginning and am constantly impressed by her.

And to think someone has terrorized her so heinously… It’s horrifying.

What’s worse is the police can’t do anything about it. I can’t imagine that this guy would leave any type of evidence, which means there’s no way they could make an arrest.

With that in mind, I grab my phone and shoot an email to the private investigator we’ve used for Sidelines business multiple times. As weird as it sounds, he’s come in handy more times than I can count. He’s also the best in the business. I have no idea if there’s anything he can do in this situation, but it can’t hurt to ask him for advice.

I set my phone back on my nightstand and attempt to fall asleep. With my thoughts speeding through my brain like a Formula One racecar, it’s not easy.

A noise makes my eyes fly open. I sit up and wait to see if I hear it again.

My heart jolts when a loud whimper comes from down the hall. I jump out of bed without a single thought and race toward Tilly’s room. I open the door to find her curled into a tiny ball in the middle of the bed. She makes another pathetic whimper that hits me straight in the chest.

I sit down on the mattress and slide my finger across her forehead to move her hair out of her face. “Tilly. Wake up, sweetheart.”

She moans again, her head shaking as if she’s saying no to the thing haunting her dreams.

“Come on, Tills. Let me see those beautiful brown eyes.”

Her eyelids flutter and then spring open to take in whoever is sitting next to her. “Matty?”

I’ve always loved that nickname. She’s the only person who has ever called me that, and for some reason, it makes me feel special to her. “You were having a nightmare.”

Tilly’s eyes fill, and she closes them to keep her tears from falling. “I dreamt that he was in my room, touching me while I was frozen to the bed. I couldn’t move to get away from him.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” I adjust my position to lean against the headboard and pull Tilly toward my chest. She melts into me, her arms tightening around my waist. It’s only then I realize I’m not wearing a shirt.

As Tilly nuzzles into my shoulder, I’m going to assume she doesn’t mind. I drop a kiss to the top of her head. “We’ll find out who’s doing this to you. I swear.”

A deep breath relaxes her further, and I begin to drift off, as well. I’m going to do whatever I can to keep her safe. No matter what.

* * *

Fuck, I love waking up next to a woman. They’re so soft, and they usually smell delicious. I bury my nose into the soft hair tickling my face. She smells like citrus. My sleepy brain doesn’t quite remember her name yet, but I’ll figure it out once I’m more awake. I always do.

My palm teases the perky nipple pressing into my hand, earning me a sweet little moan. I can’t help but grind my morning wood into her ass. A groan rumbles in my chest when she pushes back against me. Fuck, I wish I didn’t have my boxers on right now.

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