Page 36 of Ice Covered Heart

“Still didn’t see his face?”

A negative shake of her head. “That’s always been my problem. Flashes. Movie clips.”

“But you started seeing more lately, didn’t you? That’s why you came to my office.”

A miserable nod.

“Want to tell me about that ‘more’ that you see?”

“Not right now.” Ragged.

Sure. He got it. She kept getting woken up by nightmares. Not like she was getting any decent sleep.

He glanced to her left. Then stretched over her. His body brushed against hers.

“Hunter?”

He snagged the pillow. Tossed it to the floor.

“You…you aren’t sleeping on the floor.”

He proceeded to spread out on the floor. “I’m working on a theory.”

“What theory would that be?”

“You’ll find out.” They both would. “And don’t be embarrassed about the screams. I’ve woken up screaming and swinging before, too.” Back at the hospital. During his recovery. When he’d been full of rage and pain. When he’d dreamed of catching and killing the bastards who’d hurt him.

She peered over the edge of the bed. The lamp light hit the darkness of her hair. Huh. How about that? He almost saw red highlights. Almost.

“Do you still wake up screaming?” Shelby asked him. Dark shadows drifted under her eyes.

The bastards who hurt me are long gone. I made sure of it. When he’d been strong enough, he’d made a point of eliminating all the loose ends in his life, with Declan’s help. His best friend’s billions had certainly come in handy over the years. “Not anymore,” he replied, voice rasping.

She frowned, and he realized those words had been too low. She wasn’t wearing her hearing aid.

“Not anymore,” he repeated.

She nibbled on her lower lip. “You can’t sleep on the floor.”

“Sure I can. This saves me time. No need for the cardio on the stairs.”

“I…I warned you that I fought.”

“I dodged. No worries.”

“Can I get you a blanket?”

“Don’t need it.” He wouldn’t be staying on the floor for long.

Shelby slid away from the edge of the bed. The sheets made a faint rustle. A slither. The lamp turned off.

Another slither.

Hunter folded his hands over his stomach. The floor was hard, but he’d once slept on actual stones, so yeah, he had this. Besides, he’d sleep in hell itself if it meant he could be close to Shelby. The moments ticked by in silence, and he kept staring at the ceiling. The soft light near her baseboard gave the room a faint glow. Kinda nice. Being close to Shelby—more than kinda nice.

“I…appreciate what you’re doing for me.” Her sleep-slurred words.

“I’m not looking for gratitude.” Gratitude was the last thing he wanted from her.