“I have a walk-through later this week. My only client. I’ll have to go back, at least for that.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.”

“I’m so tired. Can we go to bed?”

“Yeah, sure.”

He shifts, adjusting his leg, and I help him to the bedroom. We don’t bother undressing. We just climb under the sheets, limbs tangling, breath syncing. His arms wrap around me like armor, and I melt into him like I’ve been needing to all along.

It’s late. It’s quiet. For the first time in days… I feel safe. And for now, that’s everything.

Chapter 36

Magnolia Steel

I wake, blinking against the soft light spilling through the curtains. For a moment, there’s nothing but warmth—the heavy weight of Alex’s arm slung across my waist, the press of his chest against my back, the deep, steady cadence of his breathing.

I stay still, because I know the second I move—the second I let the real world in—it’ll all come rushing back.

And it does. The anxiety settles in my gut like a stone, heavy and cold.

My business.

My clients. Client.

The life I’ve worked so hard to build in Charleston now seems a million miles and a lifetime away. All because of him.

Tyson-fucking-McRae.

A man who wouldn’t take no for an answer. A man who made me afraid in my own city, who pushed me to a point where the only place I feel safe now is tucked beneath the arm of this man lying next to me.

I hate the loss of control, the way fear has rooted itself in my bones like it has any right to be there. And most of all, I hate that Alex has to bear the weight of this too. No matter how many times he tells me I’m not a burden, some dark, bitter part of me still wonders if I am.

I shift, not wanting to wake him. But the second I move, his hold tightens. His hand slides from my waist to my belly, pulling me back against him like he can sense me slipping away even in sleep.

I close my eyes and let myself sink into the moment for just a second longer—into the safety of him. Because today, I have to figure out how to take back the pieces of my life without falling apart.

A low, sleepy rumble vibrates against my back.

“Morning, favorite.” His voice is gravel-rough, still thick with sleep. His arm curls tighter around me, pressing me closer to the hard wall of his chest.

I bite back a laugh, the sound escaping anyway. “Don’t squeeze me too hard. I gotta pee.”

He lets out a reluctant groan but loosens his grip. His hand lingers for a second longer than necessary, brushing along my ribs before he releases me.