Page 85 of Save Me

Oh god, I like it. I feel like crying, but for different reasons, because fuck I can’t get used to this feeling. This isn’t a feeling I’m allowed to keep. The closest I’ve gotten is with my pets. Maybe with Arthur in the beginning, but even that didn’t feel like this. This feels…safe.

Fuck, my vision gets watery. Fuck, fuck, fuck, I can’t cry. Quick, I need to save this.

“A curse, huh?” I croak out. “What, you open a tomb you weren’t supposed to?”

After a second, Micah turns to me, shocked. “First of all, I would never.” He widens his eyes comically large. “Second, what is your obsession with human bodies?”

I snort.

Micah nods his head. “It’s okay, your deepest darkest secret is safe with me.”

I shake my head, then sober. Because my secret is much worse than that. Because I think I’ve been an asshole to someone who doesn’t deserve it this whole time.

Fuck. I’m too damaged for this.

And yet for some reason, I keep my hand in Micah’s, despite the swirling guilt that’s saying that I don’t deserve it and the fear that’s screaming that I’m still in danger.

Am I though?

I mean, yeah. Arthur is out there, pissed, I’m sure. Which just makes me angry. Even now, Arthur is ruining things for me, and he isn’t even trying.

And yet Princess is a warm, comforting weight on my lap, and despite myself, I sink back into the comfort of the bed and the easy silence between us. And in that silence, I find a moment of…relaxation for the first time in…fuck, a long time. Is that what this is? I don’t want to get up. I want to stay here just for now, until the desire to escape gets the better of me.

Maybe I could just stay here? The thought makes me sink even deeper into the cushions.

No, what am I thinking? I need my phone. What if my boss needs to call about Mr. Parker?

I sit up and put my hand over Princess, hesitating. I think my phone is in the pocket of my jeans, which are currently lying on the floor in the bathroom.

“You good?” Micah sits up with me.

“I just…” I’m about to say I don’t want to intrude, but the adoring look he’s giving me says that would crush him. Micah wants me here. “I was gonna get my phone,” I finish.

“Oh, I’ll get it!” He hops out of bed and is gone before I can argue. He comes back with not only my phone, but a bottle of water, nodding at Princess. “Since he’s probably gonna keep you there all night.”

“Oh is he?”

“He’s a benevolent dictator. He’ll let you consider rolling over approximately once.”

“Consider?”

“Oh yeah, don’t dream of actually doing it.” Micah slips back into bed, and I can’t help but notice his sexy, tattooed waist wrapped up in the towel.

It makes my mouth water.

He dips lower than me on the sheets and I have the forbidden impulse to wrap my arm around his shoulders.

“I’m sorry, little M&M, you’re stuck there. Nothing I can do to help.” Micah looks up and gives me a mischievous grin. When I raise a doubtful eyebrow, he schools his face. “T’would risk my life. Please, remain there until his highness removes himself.”

I shake my head, suppressing something that feels an awful lot like a smile.

But…I’m not mad about it. I mean, I am, but for the first time, that anxiety is warring with something warmer. Something that tells me to sink into the sheets. To get closer to him.

If only Mr. Parker hadn’t passed, this moment might feel better. Maybe I should check and see if I have any missed calls from my boss.

I flip my phone over to see a bunch of text messages from an unsaved number. My stomach jumps into my chest, and I scan them.

Unknown: I know what you did.