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Her cheeks went hot. He was treating her like she was helpless. Fragile.
God, it was nice.
“Tell me, baby,” he urged after drawing the glass of water away from her mouth.
“It felt so real. Like he was here. I woke up to his hand over my mouth. I couldn’t . . . I couldn’t breathe.”
“Shit. That’s why you woke up scratching at your throat and not breathing.”
“Yes.”
“Fuck. I need to look at your neck.” He set her on the bed and turned on the light by the bed. It wasn’t that bright, but she still winced.
“Sorry, baby. I just need to see. I’m going to find something to clean these scratches.”
“They’re fine,” she said dismissively. It was just a couple of scratches. She’d had far worse.
“No, they’re not fine. They need cleaning in case they get infected. There might be something in the bathroom I can use.” He disappeared into the bathroom, and she started shivering again.
Strange, his touch seemed to hold her fear at bay. And now that he wasn’t touching her, all of that fear came rushing back.
Just hold on.
“Baby? Fuck. Are you all right?” Tanner rushed over to her, cupping her face in his hands.
“I’m j-just . . . I c-can’t stop t-trembling.” She stared up at him.
“Shh. Shh. It’s all right. You’re okay. I’m sorry I left you.” He bundled her against his chest and rocked her back and forth.
“I’m b-being silly,” she said.
“Hush. No, you’re not.”
“It was just a d-dream.”
It wasn’t real. He wasn’t here.
The trouble was that the nightmare didn’t really stop once she was awake. Because Stefan was still out there. Still searching for them.
Was that nightmare her brain’s way of warning her to stay away from Tanner? To protect him from Stefan?
“It was a nightmare about someone who has been traumatizing you for a long time.”
“I could n-never see a way free. Not u-until the opportunity c-came to run. Sorry for being s-silly.”
“You don’t have to apologize. And you are not being silly. Understand?”
“Yes,” she whispered, snuggling into him.
“I need to get some antiseptic from the nurse since I couldn’t find any. Then I’ll bandage your neck.”
“I don’t need any.”
“Yeah, you do. I’m not risking your health.” He hit the buzzer and sat back down in the chair with her on his lap.
“You can put me on the bed.” She didn’t want him to do that, but thought she better offer.
“I don’t want you to start shaking again.”
