Page 48 of Hold Back
Red came over to the bed, sitting beside Kit, but he didn’t hold him or touch him. Kit just wanted to rest his head on Red’sbroad chest and let him soak up all his fears but the distance between them seemed to stretch on forever.
“What’s wrong?” Red asked.
“I was half asleep. I heard a noise.” Kit sucked in a breath. “I thoughttheywere here.”
“It was me.” Red sounded apologetic. “I was testing the doors. I’m sorry I woke you up.”
Kit shuddered. Red didn’t touch him, his hands resting in his lap. Kit desperately needed the feel of Red’s arms around him. Why didn’t Red hold Kit like he had before?
“You should try sleeping again,” Red said.
“Please.” Kit’s voice cracked.
Kit wasn’t sure what he was asking for, but he needed more than this passive comfort. He curled against Red, pressing his forehead against Red’s shoulder, begging for something, even if he didn’t know what it was.
Red did nothing and for a moment, Kit thought he was going to pull away. Then he gently nudged Kit back onto the mattress.
“Don’t leave me,” Kit begged, reaching for him.
“I’ll stay with you until you’re asleep,” Red said, laying down next to him, still on top of the covers. “And if you wake up, just call for me. I’ll be close by.”
It wasn’t what Kit wanted. It wasn’t nearly enough. But at least he wasn’t alone. He listened to Red’s gentle breathing and matched his own: in, out, in, out. His heart rate slowed and he relaxed.
“Good boy,” Red murmured.
Surprised by the sudden praise, Kit opened his eyes, but the room was pitch black. He was sure Red’s eyes were still closed though. Kit closed his eyes again and went back to breathing in sync.
In, out, in, out.
Kit was almost asleep when Red shifted. His hand shot out and clasped Red’s wrist. “Don’t leave me.”
I thought I was tougher than this.
He didn’t want to have to admit he was scared again.
“I need to check the cabin,” Red said.
“You did that already.”
Kit felt the briefest of caresses over his hair.
“I’m here. Let me put my phone on the nightstand.” Red shifted briefly to do that, then rolled back to face Kit.
“Get under the covers,” Kit suggested.
“I won’t get under the covers. But I won’t leave.”
Kit swallowed hard. Red was drawing a clear line in the sand. He didn’t want to sleep with Kit, but he would be by his side.
“Did Craig talk about my brother?”
“He’s safe. Dominic Cook is handling his detail.”
“You’re not going to tell me where he is?”
Red huffed, warm air blowing on Kit’s cheek. “I don’t know where he is and they’re not going to tell me.”
“In other words, quit asking.”
