I Hid My Empire For Her Love

from comfortable silence to something more charged. Carley stepped out of the bathroom, fresh from a s

ctively pulled the lapels of her

s with his large frame, and the small bedroom suddenly felt suffocating. He sto

is calloused fingers

small, involunta

huttered. A flicker of something that looked like hurt-raw and

Carley," he said, his vo

It was her duty. A wave of miserable guilt washed over her. It wasn't that she was unwilling-not entirely

whispered. The excuse felt flimsy

appointment. Instead, his hand lowered, and he let it rest on the curve of her shoulder-gentle,

His voice was quiet but steady. "N

. She found neither. Just that same patient, unreadable calm, and beneath i

small, he

the blanket over her, tucking it lightly around her shoulders. Then he sett

t rhythm of their breathing. Carley stared at the ceiling, acutely aware of his presence-the warmth radiating

s profile in the dim light. His eyes were open, fix

pered. "I don't know

. There was no judgment in his ga

to pull her close, but just to rest his han

ay," he said quietly.

he didn't trust herself to speak. Instead, she turned her hand over beneath

t until sleep fin

beside her empty. She blinked, disoriented, and saw his silhouette on the flo

Even in this, he wa

art pounding a nervous rhythm. She walked on bare feet and

ned, watching her

" she whispered, her

on the hardwood. She spread her comforter and lay down b

ross the gap. He didn't touch her arm or her shoulder. He

rough against her skin. But his grip wa

. They lay there, side by side on the floor, hands clasped in the quiet