Wicked Burn by BETH KERY

Author:BETH KERY [KERY, BETH]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PENGUIN group

Vic’s eyes snapped open at the sound of a whimper of distress in Niall’s throat. He’d spooned her body protectively while they slept, but now she trembled within his hold.

He tensed at the jarring knowledge that what frightened her came from within . . . and that he was powerless to stop it.

“Niall. Wake up.”

He shook her upper arm gently, willing her to rise out of her nightmare. The small, mournful cry that leaked past her lips made his teeth clench in anguish. He shifted her gently onto her back so that he could see her face. Just as he’d suspected, it gleamed with perspiration.

“Niall!”

Her eyes sprang wide. Vic saw terror in their depths. God damn it, who or what had the power to make her look so afraid?

“You were dreaming, baby,” he whispered, willing her into the present moment. He saw her throat convulse as she swallowed. When she started to sit up, he moved aside the arm that had been covering her, fighting his urge to hold her tight against him until her almost tangible fear passed.

It was almost a precise repeat of what had occurred last Sunday, Vic realized as Niall sat on the edge of the bed for several moments, neck bent, finally rising to go to the bathroom. He stared at the ceiling, listening to the muted sounds of Niall’s movement and the water running. When she came out of the bathroom a minute later, she moved so quietly that Vic wondered if she thought he was sleeping again.

Or if she merely hoped he was.

Even a week ago he might have gone along with the program and pretended that he was sleeping. But not tonight.

Once she’d settled back in bed and lay on her side with her back to him, he spoke.

“Why do you have those nightmares, Niall?”

Was it just his imagination, or did her body stiffen?

“Niall?” he repeated, trying to keep the alarm out of his voice when she didn’t respond.

She turned onto her back slowly and sighed.

“I’m sorry for waking you. Maybe I shouldn’t sleep over.”

His head came off the pillow. Her response infuriated him.

“I didn’t bring it up because I was worried about losing some sleep.”

“I know that,” she said quickly.

“Well, then?” he challenged.

He saw her lips part like she wanted to speak. But only silence ensued. His helpless fury faded when he realized how tense she was . . . how brittle. His arms abruptly encircled her, rolling her body into him. She felt so small pressed next to him, so precious. She still trembled. He realized with a pang of guilt that she was crying softly.

He cupped her head in his palm before he made soothing motions along her hair. “I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.”

She just shook her head rapidly. Vic got the impression that something choked her ruthlessly, making speech impossible. When he realized that her own emotions were the culprit, his sense of powerlessness amplified.

He did the only thing he could do, and held her while she cried.

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