Sweet Vengeance by Cindy Stark

with all the lights out.  She
rolled on her side, away from him, ignoring the thumping pain in her arm.  It
was tolerable.  She rearranged her pillow and sighed.  She certainly didn't
feel scared anymore, but had she really thought she could sleep next to him, as
attracted as she was?  She sighed again and tried to rearrange her thoughts. 
The sheets were buttery soft beneath her skin, and she moved her foot back and
forth, enjoying the feel of them.
    "Are
you going to be able to sleep now?"  He sounded as though he was right
behind her ear.  She rolled over to look at him, finding his dark silhouette
still firmly on his side.
    "Sorry. 
I guess I'm still a little fidgety.  This whole thing has me freaked out."
    "Considering
what you've been through, that's understandable."  The sound of his voice
soothed her, and she curled closer in his direction.  "Just remember, you
promised no snoring."  He chuckled, but it didn't lessen her anxiety.
    There
were actual killers looking for her.  She shivered.  "You have a gun in
here, don't you?"  Just in case.
    "Don't
worry.  It's right by the bed."
    "Okay." 
If someone did break in, he could protect them.  She relaxed a bit.  He shifted
again, and then all was silent.  A few minutes later, Jase's breathing became
deep and even.  He'd fallen asleep, and now she was left to face the shadow
monsters alone.  She shut her eyes and tried to match her breathing to his. 
But try as she might, she couldn't will herself to fall asleep. 
    His
men would watch, too, she reminded herself.  They were outside the kitchen
door.  And it wasn't as though the entrance to the house was on the street. 
Jase had already explained someone would have to make it through the warehouse
and know where the hidden door was to find them.  Plus no one except Jase's men
knew where she was.  The guys who wanted to kill her had no idea where to
look.  It would be okay. 
    She
inched a little closer to Jase.  His breathing remained steady so she scooted a
bit more.  Being near him made her feel safer.  If she felt safe, maybe she
could sleep.  That was all she wanted.
    She
moved again until she was right next to him.  She waited, but he didn't say
anything.  In the faint light, she could see his arm resting above his head on
the pillow.  His eyes were shut, and his bare chest rose and fell repeatedly. 
Gently, she lifted her head and rested her cheek on his chest.  His body was
hard, but warm and comfortable at the same time.  When he didn't move, she
released a pent-up breath and relaxed. 
    She
froze when he brought his arm down and snuggled her closer to him.  She wasn't
sure she dared to breathe, wasn't sure he was consciously aware of his
actions. 
    But
a moment passed, and he didn't say a word.  He held her close, and somehow, she
knew everything would be okay.  Her eyelids grew heavier.  She sighed and
closed her eyes.
    *       
*        *
    When
morning came, Allie was alone.  At some point during the night or early
morning, Jase had gotten up and left her by herself.  She pulled his pillow
toward her, throwing her arm around it and hugging it to her as though it were
him. 
    She
wasn't quite sure what to think of herself, craving the comfort Jase offered
her, wanting to spend the night curled up in his arms.  It had to be from the
shock of the whole situation.  She was a little embarrassed she'd come begging
to sleep in his bed.  But every time she'd woken during the night, she'd been
tightly wound in his arms, his strong body warm against her.  She buried her
face against the cotton pillowcase and inhaled his scent.  It had felt so
right.  He felt so right. 
    Why? 
It had to be more than shock that fitted them so neatly together.
    The
clock on the nightstand said it was after ten-thirty, but she didn't want to
get up.  Getting up meant she would be moved to another stranger's house today,
and she would no longer have Jase around to protect her.