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Penelope tilts her head back, those dark blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I know, but that’s how it felt at that moment. Like I’m the problem. Like I’m not good enough. That there is something wrong with me. But Kate didn’t give up until I told her why I was doing that, and then she did everything in her power to get me out of there and got me the help I needed to heal.” Her hand finds my cheek. “I’m not ashamed of those scars, Sebastian. They’re a reminder of what I’ve been through to get here. Some days that reminder is positive, but others… Others, it just drags me back to that dark place I was in when I was twelve.”
“You’re not there anymore. You’re stronger and more resilient. You’re an amazing person, and what you’ve been through, what youovercame, just makes you a warrior.”
“The same can be said about you.”
I wasn’t sure that she was right about that, but selfishly, I didn’t want to break the image she had of me either. “I don’t know about that.”
“I do.”
Silence falls over us as we just lay there in the darkness. Penelope’s warm body is nestled against mine, her breathing even, and for a moment, I wonder if she fell asleep, but then she stirs, her leg rubbing against mine.
I press my mouth against the top of her head. “So, who’s better?”
“Better?” she asks sleepily.
“Better cuddler, of course. Is cuddling with me better than sleeping with a dog?”
My teasing earns me a jab in the side. “Hey, don’t judge it until you’ve tried it.”
Tightening my hold around her waist, I trace the tip of my nose over the column of her neck as an unfamiliar feeling settles over me.
Something that feels a lot like peace.
“I’ll trust you on your word,” I murmur, my voice growing heavy as tiredness washes over me. “But I’d rather have you sleeping next to me over a dog.”
The last thing I remember before the darkness claims me is the scent of roses and gentle fingers running through my hair. “I guess that makes two of us.”
* * *
Groaning, I shift to my back, stretching my body as my eyes blink open, only to come face-to-face with a pair of dark eyes staring at me mere inches away.
Brown, not blue.
Instinctively, I jerk back.
Not my proudest moment but damn that dog. When did he get so far up? It’s like he sneaked up on us. He’s staring at me like he wants to bite me. Knowing him? He probably does. I’m half surprised he didn’t make his way between Penelope and me. Or, you know, just plain kicked me out of bed. I wouldn’t put it past the territorial asshole.
Giving him a warning glare, I shift my gaze to Penelope, who’s still sleeping soundly, not caring the least bit that her dog is sleeping on her. Then again, she’s used to having a dog in her bed. Me? Not so much.
“What are you looking at?” I ask, making sure to keep my voice soft so I don’t wake her. The dog keeps quiet, too, those watchful eyes not even blinking.
And now I’m talking to the dog.
Glaring back, I move closer, brushing a strand of hair that fell in Penelope’s face, which earns me a loud growl.
“What?” I ask as Penelope places her hand on the dog’s head and gives him a gentle scratch.
“Stop it.”
“He really hates me,” I mutter, my eyes glued to the dog.
Well, he’ll have to get used to this because I wasn’t going anywhere.
Penelope’s hand goes still. Her eyes pop open, surprise flashing on her face at the sound of my voice, and she jolts upright. “Sebastian?”
I chuckle softly, tugging her back on the mattress next to me. “I’d ask you if you usually wake up next to random men, but I guess we both know the answer to that.”
“No, I…”
