Reassurance.

chapter twenty nine.

Darkness surrounded me, as did the man. His hand stiffened around my neck as I whimpered. I tried to breathe but it was getting harder and harder. I opened my mouth to scream but nothing came out.

I flung myself forward in my bed, screaming. Somones arms found me and pulled me closer but I thrashed at them, trying to get away.

"Zara." I recognised the voice saying me name but it wasnt the familiar voice of either of my brothers. I was shaken awake and my eyes sprang open, staring into someone elses strong green-eyed gaze.

"Jamie." I whimpered and siged. "Sorry. I didnt mean to wake you."

"Its okay. What did I tell you yesterday hey?" He swiped a finger across my chin, staring into my blue eyes. "I told you that I wouldnt let anything or anybody hurt you, and I meant it. Im here and everything is fine okay beautiful. You can go back to sleep im right here with you."

"Youre not here with me though. Youre not close enough, please, cradle me in the warmth of your arms, Jamie."

After I had said this, Jamie stood up from my bed and pulled his shirt over his head, then unbuckled his belt and pulled his jeans down reveling a pair of black boxers with a white waistband that read 'Calvin Klein' across them. I watched him in awe.

"This isnt too much is it?" He looked at me worriedly.

It was slightly scary, I had never seen a boy in just his boxers. But I was mesmerised. He had a gorgeous body with perfect abs and strong arms. With him sleeping beside me tonight I would feel safe.

I shook my head. "No. No, its fine."

He stepped forward and lay next to me, this time under the duvet. He put an arm across my pillow, around my neck, idicating for me to shuffle closer. I did so and rested my face on his chest. I looked up at him and noticed he was looking down at me, smiling.

His body was warm against mine. I did a mental check of what I was wearing in bed. Usually it would be a pair of hot pants and an 'I heart NY' top that hung just above my knees. But because I was on my period I had settled for trackies. I felt myself relax and was glad I wasnt in bed, half naked, unintentionally with a boy.

I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. Breathing in the scent of Jamies cologne.