“Shut up, bitch!”

I jerked awake and bolted upright in bed. Beads of sweat were permeating my brow as I slung my legs over my bed. I’d been with Robert at his place for a little over a week, and even though I was being watched over the nightmares were getting worse. Lacey came to see me before she left for New York, jetting off to her promising new career and leaving me in Chicago. I couldn’t close my eyes at night without seeing that man’s face. Smiling in the lobby before I was thrust into the darkness.

I padded across the soft carpeted floor and headed for the bathroom. I flipped on the light, squinting as I shielded my eyes. My hands were shaking as I turned on the water. I needed to bring myself out of my dream. I needed to root myself in reality.

I needed to remind myself I was in Robert’s rented penthouse. Not some warehouse off the side of an alleyway.

I splashed some water in my face before I took a good, hard look at myself. I didn’t look much different. Same colored eyes. Same colored skin. Same small lips and long, blonde hair. But I felt different. Inside, I felt like a different person. A different woman. Some days I felt stronger than I ever had in my life, and other days I felt weaker by the minute. Like at any moment, I would burst into tears and drown out our living space.

I was in a weak moment.

I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath as a knock came at the bathroom door. I jumped, my feet slipping on the floor. I fell backwards into the wall, causing a decorative picture to fall off and crash to the floor.

Then the door ripped open and Robert ran to my side.

“Joanna. Are you okay?”

I saw his head whipping around. On an automatic swivel looking for trouble.

“It’s just me,” I said. “What are you doing up?”

“I heard the water turn on and I thought I’d come make sure you were okay.”

“From across the apartment?” I asked.

“I may or may not have already been awake.”

He helped me off the floor, his arms strong around my waist. I reached for a towel and wiped my face off, taking with it the sweat that would’ve given me away. But my cheeks were still red and my eyes were half-hooded with exhaustion. Even though I was standing strong on my feet, there was a reason Robert wasn’t letting go.

“I had a nightmare,” I said.

His arms tightened around me as my cheek fell against his chest.

“I always see him, Robert. Every time I close my eyes, he’s there.”

“You’re safe here. He can’t get to you. If, by some miracle, he were to get through lobby security, he’d have to get through mine. And if he got through mine, then he’d have to get through me. And that’s not happening. Ever.”

“I know. I know,” I said breathlessly. “It’s like I can’t help it.”

“Is there anything I can do?” he asked.

I shook my head against his chest as I fell into his strength. Over the past few days, I’d grown more and more accustomed to how his arms felt around me. How reassuring his grip was and how comforting his voice had become to my ears. It was like being wrapped up in my favorite aria and allowing the music to whisk me away.

Robert was becoming the music that kept me afloat.

Ever since he made me that promise to keep me safe, I had been. There wasn’t a moment I was around him where I didn’t feel protected. Even when we did venture out to get more food or find me something to help with some new ache in my body, I felt safe. Exposed to the masses, but tucked protectively against his side. Underneath his arm.

Guarded by his promise.

“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?” Robert asked.

“Nothing that will take away my nightmares, I don’t think,” I said.

“Then is there anything I can do that you want? Doesn’t have to make anything go away. Maybe something to comfort you?”

I looked up into his eyes and found a sincerity I was seeing for the first time. A compassion I hadn’t seen in him before that made part of me ache for him. He was empathizing with me.

He knew what it was like to have these kinds of nightmares.

What a frightened little boy he must’ve been.

“Could you stay with me until I fall back asleep?” I asked.

“Of course. Let’s get you back in bed.”

He scooped me up in his arms and a small giggle fell from my lips. He placed me back in bed and rolled the covers over me, then perched on the edge. I reached out for his hand as my head settled into the pillow, but my body wanted more. It wanted to be closer to him.

I wanted to be closer to him.

I tugged on his hand, but he didn’t make a move to get in bed with me. I curled myself around him, my arm slinking around his waist. I pulled a little harder but he still didn’t move. Like there was some invisible force-field he wasn’t willing to cross.

“We’re already pregnant,” I said with a grin. “There isn’t much more we can screw up here.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” Robert said.

“Then why won’t you get in bed with me?” I asked.

“Because you want me here until you go to sleep. And if I get in bed with you, I’m not sure I’ll be able to move away.”

“Then don’t,” I said plainly.

I brought his hand to my cheek and felt his warm palm rest against it. My hand slid up his arm, then ran down his strong back. I watched his legs tense. His thick, strong thighs flexing to try and hold him back.

I wanted him close to me. It didn’t matter to me if he stayed. All I wanted was to feel close to him..

A smile slid across Robert’s cheeks and it made my heart skip a beat. I had no idea what this man was doing to me, but I was falling further into his gravitational pull. I scooted over and he slid underneath the covers, his strong legs pressing against mine. I slipped my thigh between his and lifted my head, allowing his arm to work behind my body. I scooted closer to him. Pressed my chest closer to his. Nuzzled so close our noses were touching before my face fell into the crook of his neck.

“Is this better?” Robert asked.

“Yes,” I said with a nod. “It’s perfect.”

Then a yawn escaped from my lips as my eyes fluttered closed, my body melting into Robert’s grasp.

And instead of Slate popping into my mind, Robert did. With his cheeky little grin and his big sculpted muscles and his low commanding voice.

I dreamt about him as he held me tightly, protecting me while I slept.