I'Ve Got You by Louise Forster

nightmare.
    â€˜Belle … Belle,’ he whispered.
    Eyes screwed shut, a film of perspiration covered her body, and then she whimpered, ‘No … no.’
    â€˜Belle!’ he called out, gently shaking her.
    Her hands were pushing at his chest when her eyes fluttered open; it shocked Kabe to see how frightened she was.
    â€˜Huh?’ She tried to focus not only on him, but her surroundings as well.
    â€˜You’re safe here on Butterfly Island.’ Kabe stroked strands of hair off her face. ‘You were having a bad dream, had to wake you before you socked me one,’ he said trying to make light of the situation. ‘Tell me about it; it’ll help you get back to sleep if it’s all out and not churning in your mind.’ Arms around her, Kabe waited. ‘Come on, Belle, it’s easy.’
    â€˜I …’ she began. ‘It’s okay.’ She shrugged off his request.
    Kabe slanted his head. ‘Nothing’s ever that bad that you can’t share it with a friend.’ He paused and, scanning her face, he said, ‘Actually, I hope I’m more than a friend.
    Eyes wide, fearful, Belle gasped.
    Despite her reaction, Kabe continued, gently, ‘What is it Belle?’
    Her shoulders sagged; she took a deep breath, and said, ‘It’s … it’s all too heartbreaking and …’
    â€˜All the more reason to talk about it.’ Alert to any sign of stress or evasion Kabe paused, then asked, ‘It’s not the rescue, is it?’
    She shook her head. ‘No, nothing compares to … Oh God!’ Belle cried out, covering her face with her hands. She curled herself up into a tight ball of pain that seemed to engulf her body.
    â€˜Belle! What the … ?’ Kabe held her wrists and pulled her up. She didn’t have the strength to resist. ‘Belle, talk to me!’ He cupped her jaw and gently tilted her head to meet his gaze.
    Tears flooded her eyes and trickled down her face. Not knowing what he was dealing with here, he had to restrain himself from gathering her in his arms and holding her, even though Belle’s distraught look cut straight through his chest, where it burned.
    â€˜Come on, Belle … let it out, it can’t hurt you. I’ll keep you safe.’
    She took a shaky breath and nodded. ‘I’ll try.’
    Kabe let her go, leant over her to dip into the cooler and brought out a cold-water flask. He sat back, took the top off and handed it to her. ‘Drink,’ he ordered. She took a few sips then, with trembling hands, passed him the flask.
    â€˜Thanks, I’m okay now.’ She seemed to have pulled herself together, at least he hoped so. He hated seeing Belle so distressed, his own helplessness beyond frustrating.
    â€˜Tell me everything, or we stay here until you do.’ He didn’t mean to sound harsh, but it cut him up to see her like this. Holding her face he stroked her cheek with his thumb and hoped his actions took the edge off his demands. ‘Take your time, I’m not going anywhere,’ he murmured, adding a reassuring smile. Kabe dared to slip an arm around her waist and tug her into him.

Chapter 7
    â€˜The whole sordid story?’ Belle asked.
    â€˜Everything,’ he said, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
    â€˜That would take too long. I’ll give you the sordid abridged version.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Here goes. Greg Travers, you know him, charming, ruthless.’ Immediately, she felt Kabe tense against her. ‘He worked as a consultant for Eagle Ray Resorts and he sexually harassed me.’
    Try as he might, he couldn’t stop a fierce growl deep in his chest.
    â€˜Kabe?’ Belle asked, her voice tentative.
    â€˜Please, go on,’ he urged gently.
    â€˜Okay. He wanted to date, and I flatly refused. I made a formal complaint to management, and they did nothing. He tried all kinds of ways to break me with his