Page 105 of Halo

He chuckles, his fingers playing with my hair. “You're a naughty girl, Ms. Harrison,” he teases softly.

I snicker along with him.

Except something cold prickles in my spine.

Naughty.

The word catches somewhere deep, dragging every warning, every sermon, every whispered sin rushing back at once. My lungs seize, and suddenly I can't pull in enough air.

You're a whore.

A Jezebel.

An adulterous slut.

Unclean.

“Leah?” Nick sits us up, his hand resting on my shoulder. “You okay?”

I nod too quickly, blinking hard against the sudden burn behind my eyes.

You're fine. It's all fine.

But the voices keep coming, one accusation crashing into the next, holding my breath hostage somewhere beneath the shame.

‘Flee from sexual immorality …’

‘Your body is a temple …’

“Leah,” Nick says sternly, his fingers cradling my chin. “Look at me. Are you hurt?”

Yes.

“I'm fine,” I croak. “Can you please just … hold me?”

Without any hesitation, Nick wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his lap. He reaches for the sheet, drawing it around me before holding me close again.

I sink into him, and whatever fragile grip I had on myself slips away. The first sob catches in my throat, but then I'm crying in earnest, trembling against his chest as I cling to him.

“I'm a whore,” I whisper.

“What?”

“I'm dirty. And-and … disgusting. I knew better, Nick. I knew, and I still—” a sob tears through me—“I'm ruined.”

“What? No.” Nick pulls me tighter, rocking me slowly against his chest. “None of that is true.”

“But I—”

“Leah baby …” His cheek rests against my hair. “None of that is true. You are not ruined or dirty or disgusting.” He pulls back, his gaze boring into mine. “You are beautiful and kind and the most selfless person I've ever met. Nothing about tonight changes that. You were amazing tonight.”

Another sob breaks free, and I shake my head. Shame clings to me as guilt pulls me under. “I can't … I can't do this. Oh my gosh, what have I done?”

“Hey.” His arms tighten around me. “You've done nothing wrong. Nothing.”

“Can you just hold me please? I'm sorry—”

“Shhh. I've got you, darlin'.” He brushes back my hair, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I've got you for as long as you'll have me.”