y, but I didn't care-especially when the sound of thunder roared again. Instead, my
, still trying to g
deep fear of the darkness and the unrelenting thunder. I didn't know what had happened to me in the past to make me so afraid of storms
stopped pushing me away. I didn't even care that m
s before you catch a cold," Ma
cold,"
clothes are wet?" I asked, suddenly real
id, and I slowly pulled myself away from him. My face
lanket so you don't get cold," I said, assumi
is blanket," I added quickly, grabbing one fro
he replied. But I knew how wet it was-aft
k home and ch
e with sharp eyes. Maybe I had overstepped, but
ed, my voice filled with worry. With how cold and distant
I'll wait outside," he said, withou
ed, handing me the flashlight before wa
the flashlight. My clothes weren't too wet,
n I came to find him lying on a long couch
red," I admit
rom the flashlig
and sat at the edge of the couch.
His face looked cold, and he let
mly. He got up and gestured f
l you go?" I as
on the floor. I looked at him with guilt, knowi
der rolled. I just lay there with my eyes shut. Back in the a
e had fallen asleep, but he had been watching me the whole time. I took a deep breath, not
d suddenly. Ever since I heard Max's story ab
in the Davis family
that is," I said, si
ave to go through the Davis
ke me there
x replie
hey find out you're still alive, they might do the same to you. Everything I
you still working for the Davis family?" I sugg
be joking,
e. Isn't pretending to work there the only way? I just want to know more about m
finally safe now-don't go loo
th him and my mother? I won't do anything reckless. I just want to
p me, right?
aid again,
o Mr. Davis to prot
ll go back to my house. The rain ha
ere's no light at all." I tr
k away, I quickly chased after him. But in the dim light, my foot hit so
ee what had tripped me. Damn! It
ou hadn't gotten out of Claire's brothel in time," Max said, soun
for my consent, Max scooped me up into his arms. I let out a small yelp, star
o I could clearly see his bare chest. My hand accidentally touched his skin. It
inted to my ankle. The dim light from the flashlight Max brought faintly lit up the r
en though he did it gently, it still hurt. I held my breath
If you're really set on working at the Davis family estate, thin
accident,
idea of going there," Max said seriously. I stayed silent, unwilling to argue as his hand
my clothes had shifted, exposing half my thigh. My face flushed, and I quickly adjusted my c
he electricity was still out and the rain hadn't le
e added, making me even more anxious. I had no idea what time it was or how lon
s expression. Maybe it was time I learned to face my fears, no matter how irrational they were.
ax said. He then sat with his ba
I sleep soundly with a man I barely knew sitting beside me on my bed
ed his eyes. I let out a small breath of relief; his presence helped cal
to get you in safely," he said suddenly. I thought he had fallen as
home." I was about to thank him again
ng him another blanket from the bed. The one I'd
drape the blanket over his bare body. Damn! Why
anket. One of my hands, propped on the bed for support, suddenly gave way, and I fell right into Max
mmered and tried to pull away. But just as I moved, Max sud
I looked up at him, full of worry. It seemed e
dn't move. His hands seemed to lock me i
old and tense. I knew Max didn't feel anything special toward me-he was only doing this out of
seriously, hoping he would let me go. Being under
self. He had a point. What could I possibly do alone in an unf
become completely dependent on Max. What if he left m
?" he asked, his voice low and h
ed as to why he was apologizing. Then his hand suddenly reached out and touched my lips. I froze, stunned b
lf back anymore." His voice was deep and husky. And befor