i P

into the metal handrail. My satchel spilled across the floor

ce bouncing off the metal

Heavy, de

mild claustrophobia since I was eight years old, locked i

instantly thick, impossi

ting the floor until my fingers fo

flickered once, flashed a chaotic array of co

ow bell icon by touch, and jammed my palm against

fists against the cold steel do

sed. Then twent

my chest. I curled into the corner of the cab, pulling my

ingers clawing at the seams of my jeans

re. Nobody knew I was worki

lack of oxygen and mounting panic took their toll. I weakly tapped

he concrete landing. A heavy metallic crash echoed down the s

or

thunderclap. It was rough, panicked, comp

u

yself toward the front of the cab, shouti

I'm down he

he doors!" he ro

red at the top of the elevator doors, and a blinding beam from

he crack,

shirt, his forearms smeared with black grease, his veins bulging like

doors apart with his raw strength, forcing them back i

e dropped through the opening, landing insi

floor, catching my trembling f

massive arms scooped me off the freezing f

isingly soft, breaking with raw relief. "I'v

face in the crook of my neck, his hands pressing with careful, desperate gentleness against my ba

pride, and my defenses completely collapsed. I buried my face in his damp shirt, cl

ying slightly, his large hand cradling the back

g security guards, he lifted me out of the shaf

hesitate. He slid an arm behind my knees, the ot

y, my face burning through my te

firm but incredibly gentle. He carrie

hind the main office, setting me down g

returned with a glass of water. Beside th

g hands, noticing the dark r

hand

e coffee table directly in front of me. He reached out, g

applying an antiseptic wipe with a feather-light touch. His dark hair was messy, f

ith a protective intensity that made my heart ache. "I should

drive you home myself," he said, his tone leaving

shaft still making my hands tremble. "Please don't leave," I w

ly, his voice a low, steady anchor. "Res

asting a faint, cool glow across his sharp features. Wrapped in the safety of his presence, I watched him work. The steady, rhythmic c