I was surrounded by a feeling of warmth and safety. I blinked open my eyes, and I found myself pressed into a hard, masculine chest. Beneath my ear, I heard the steady thumping of a strong heart. Lifting my head, I looked up at Nicholas.
He was carrying me through my bedroom toward my bed. I couldn’t remember how I got here. I had been crying. Had I fallen asleep? My eyes were sore and my chest heavy. Maybe my body just gave out.
“Nick –”
He shushed be gently and tilted his head. Following the length of his gaze, I saw Elva resting peacefully on the bed. Her arms were stretched out above her. Her leg was kicked half-out from under the covers. She was snoring softly.
I would have hated to wake her.
Nicholas lowered me down onto the bed. I moved myself under the blankets. He helped lift
