Breathe by Lila Kane

Author:Lila Kane [Kane, Lila]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-10-23T16:00:00+00:00

His hands were around my throat. I clawed at the fingers that cut off my air, but they were too tight.

“You’ll never leave me. Never!”

My eyes flew open, and he was still there, leaning over me. Mark. His hands on me, murder in his eyes. We’ll be together. Forever.

“No!” I shoved the figure in front of me and then tried to scramble to my feet, completely disoriented. Where was I?

“Charlotte—”

I shoved again and turned, falling off a bed and to the hardwood floor. My breath left my lungs in a rush but I scurried to my feet. He was around the bed in an instant.

A scream lodged in my throat as I held up my hands to ward off the large shadow in front of me. “Don’t touch me.”

“Charlotte, it’s me. Finn.”

My hands shook. His words poked logic into my brain. I backed up and swallowed. “Finn,” I whispered.

My eyes adjusted. I was in my bedroom, cowering beside the large dresser. Finn was in front of me, arms out like he’d trapped a wild animal and he wasn’t sure how predictable it was.

It was late and dark. I searched for the alarm clock and read 2:30 am. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I didn’t want to leave you alone,” Finn said. He opened his palm. “Come here.”

My feet wouldn’t move. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks. “I thought you were someone else. It—” My throat closed.

“A dream,” Finn said. “It’s okay, Charlotte. It was just a dream. I’m here. Come on.”

I shuffled forward, settling my hand in his. He pulled me to the bed. The covers were only pulled back on one side. Where was he sleeping? On the couch?

Climbing in, I choked on words. “I’m sorry, Finn. I didn’t mean to push you.”

“Shh, it’s fine. Can I stay in here with you for a bit?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

He lay down next to me and pulled me close, my wet cheek against his bare chest.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured.

“Don’t apologize.” His low voice rumbled in his chest, soothing me.

It was quiet for a long moment, the only sound our breathing. Finn’s was steady, in and out, low and smooth. Mine was ragged, choppy. Frightened.

“How long?” Finn asked.

“What?”

“How long have been having the dreams?” I shifted against him, but his arms tightened. “They’re not going to go away if you don’t deal with them.”

I thought I had dealt with them. “I haven’t had one in months,” I whispered.

“Did you have them a lot before that?”

Almost every night. But I only nodded.

Finn’s arm squeezed tighter. “Would you like me to stay in here?”

“You don’t have to.”

He brushed a tear from my cheek. “I’m not asking for you to give me an out, I’m asking if you want me to stay. For you.”

No. And yes. I wanted to get past this on my own. But I was afraid the shadows would come back. That I’d forget where I was again and the fingers would close over my throat and I’d panic.

“Yes,” I said. “Please.”

“Of course.

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