y, but I didn't care-especially when the sound of thunder roared again. Instead, my

, still trying to g

deep fear of the darkness and the unrelenting thunder. I didn't know what had happened to me in the past to make me so afraid of storms

stopped pushing me away. I didn't even care that m

s before you catch a cold," Ma

cold,"

clothes are wet?" I asked, suddenly real

id, and I slowly pulled myself away from him. My face

lanket so you don't get cold," I said, assumi

is blanket," I added quickly, grabbing one fro

he replied. But I knew how wet it was-aft

k home and ch

e with sharp eyes. Maybe I had overstepped, but

ed, my voice filled with worry. With how cold and distant

I'll wait outside," he said, withou

ed, handing me the flashlight before wa

the flashlight. My clothes weren't too wet,

n I came to find him lying on a long couch

red," I admit

rom the flashlig

and sat at the edge of the couch.

His face looked cold, and he let

mly. He got up and gestured f

l you go?" I as

on the floor. I looked at him with guilt, knowi

der rolled. I just lay there with my eyes shut. Back in the a

e had fallen asleep, but he had been watching me the whole time. I took a deep breath, not

d suddenly. Ever since I heard Max's story ab

in the Davis family

that is," I said, si

ave to go through the Davis

ke me there

x replie

hey find out you're still alive, they might do the same to you. Everything I

you still working for the Davis family?" I sugg

be joking,

e. Isn't pretending to work there the only way? I just want to know more about m

finally safe now-don't go loo

th him and my mother? I won't do anything reckless. I just want to

p me, right?

aid again,

o Mr. Davis to prot

ll go back to my house. The rain ha

ere's no light at all." I tr

k away, I quickly chased after him. But in the dim light, my foot hit so

ee what had tripped me. Damn! It

ou hadn't gotten out of Claire's brothel in time," Max said, soun

for my consent, Max scooped me up into his arms. I let out a small yelp, star

o I could clearly see his bare chest. My hand accidentally touched his skin. It

inted to my ankle. The dim light from the flashlight Max brought faintly lit up the r

en though he did it gently, it still hurt. I held my breath

If you're really set on working at the Davis family estate, thin

accident,

idea of going there," Max said seriously. I stayed silent, unwilling to argue as his hand

my clothes had shifted, exposing half my thigh. My face flushed, and I quickly adjusted my c

he electricity was still out and the rain hadn't le

e added, making me even more anxious. I had no idea what time it was or how lon

s expression. Maybe it was time I learned to face my fears, no matter how irrational they were.

ax said. He then sat with his ba

I sleep soundly with a man I barely knew sitting beside me on my bed

ed his eyes. I let out a small breath of relief; his presence helped cal

to get you in safely," he said suddenly. I thought he had fallen as

home." I was about to thank him again

ng him another blanket from the bed. The one I'd

drape the blanket over his bare body. Damn! Why

anket. One of my hands, propped on the bed for support, suddenly gave way, and I fell right into Max

mmered and tried to pull away. But just as I moved, Max sud

I looked up at him, full of worry. It seemed e

dn't move. His hands seemed to lock me i

old and tense. I knew Max didn't feel anything special toward me-he was only doing this out of

seriously, hoping he would let me go. Being under

self. He had a point. What could I possibly do alone in an unf

become completely dependent on Max. What if he left m

?" he asked, his voice low and h

ed as to why he was apologizing. Then his hand suddenly reached out and touched my lips. I froze, stunned b

lf back anymore." His voice was deep and husky. And befor