Chapter 8

"Taylor… what the fuck is happening here?"

Andrew’s sharp, suffocating voice sliced through the heavy air of the bedroom.

The shock hit me like a bucket of ice water. Panic surged through my veins, obliterating the lingering haze of pleasure in an instant. I gasped against Taylor’s mouth, my heart leaping straight into my throat as sheer terror gripped me. Reacting purely on instinct, I shoved against Taylor’s shoulders with all the strength I could muster.

The kiss broke with a soft, wet sound. I scrambled wildly across the mattress, pulling my dress down as I buried myself beneath the thick silk duvet at the far edge of the king-sized bed. My hands trembled violently as I pulled the covers up to my chin, my breathing coming in short, terrified hitches.

Taylor didn't panic. She didn't even look startled.

Instead, a dark, dangerous hiss escaped her lips at the interruption. Slowly, fluidly, she sat up on the edge of the bed and stood to her feet, smoothing down her silk robe with agonising composure.

"How dare you barge into my private quarters at this hour of the night?" Taylor’s voice dropped into an icy, authoritative tone that could freeze blood. She didn't just sound annoyed; she sounded lethal. "I was under the impression you were far too occupied with your little lady downstairs."

Andrew stood frozen near the threshold, his eyes wide as he tried to process the scene. "I... I was just coming up to check if Sophia was okay," he stammered, his usual arrogant facade cracking just a bit under his sister's terrifying aura.

"Her well-being is entirely none of your concern," Taylor snapped, taking a slow, deliberate step toward him. "Get out. Right now."

Andrew’s eyes darted past Taylor, trying to catch a glimpse of me hidden beneath the duvet. He swallowed hard, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. "Taylor... you don't actually like women, right?"

A low, haunting chuckle tore from Taylor’s chest. The sound sent a shiver straight down my spine.

"Why asking now, Andrew?" Taylor purred, her eyes narrowing into dark, razor-sharp slits as she took another intimidating step forward, forcing Andrew to instinctively take a step back toward the hallway. "Are you terrified that I might actually sleep with her?"

Andrew’s face went pale. "I... I don't know, but I heard some weird noises coming from in here just now. I had to come check!" His voice rose in a frantic, panicked pitch as he tried to defend himself.

"She is already asleep," Taylor cut him off ruthlessly, her voice leaving zero room for argument. "So hurry up and leave before your loud mouth wakes her."

Silence hung heavy in the room. Andrew stood frozen for an agonising second, his eyes straining to peep past Taylor at the shape of my body hidden beneath the covers. From beneath the edge of the duvet, I watched him through narrowed eyes, holding my breath so hard my lungs burned.

Finally, a nervous, forced laugh escaped Andrew’s lips. "Right... okay. Maybe I just misheard."

Without another word, he backed out into the corridor and pulled the heavy door shut. The sharp click of the lock echoed through the quiet room.

The second he was gone, the air finally rushed back into my lungs. I let out a long, shuddering sigh, slowly pulling the duvet away from my face. My heart was still hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird.

I looked up to see Taylor walking casually back toward the bed. The dangerous, icy killer from a moment ago had completely vanished, replaced by a soft, victorious smirk playing on her gorgeous lips.

Overwhelmed by sudden bashfulness, I quickly rolled over onto my side, turning my back to her.

The mattress dipped under her weight as Taylor climbed onto the bed behind me. Without hesitation, her long arms reached out, wrapping securely around my waist and dragging my back flush against her front. She pulled me into an embrace so tight, so possessive, that it instantly erased the lingering coldness in my chest.

Gently, Taylor brushed the hair away from my nape, shifting the strap of my dress off my shoulder. She pressed a tender, lingering kiss right to the sensitive curve where my neck met my shoulder. I squeezed my eyes shut, clutching the duvet tightly in my hands as another warm wave of electricity rippled through me.

Slowly, carefully, I turned around in her arms to face her.

Our eyes met in the dim, golden light of the bedroom. Her face was inches from mine, her gaze impossibly soft as she stared down at me.

"Is that really you, Taylor...?" I whispered softly, my voice filled with a mix of wonder and disbelief at the fiercely protective woman holding me.

Taylor didn't say a word. She simply nodded, her fingers softly caressing my cheek before sliding up to weave through my hair.

"I almost forgot to mention," Taylor murmured softly, her thumb gently tracing the line of my cheekbone. "Tomorrow is your father's birthday. I’ll be accompanying you to the dinner party."

My eyes widened in surprise, a sudden burst of genuine excitement blooming in my chest. The thought of walking into my family's house not as the neglected, meek daughter, but on the arm of LA's most powerful woman made my blood hum with anticipation.

"Alright," I whispered, a genuine smile finally touching my lips. "I'd love that."

"Good," Taylor purred gently, her fingers lightly running through my hair in a soothing rhythm. "Now go to sleep, my girl."

She pulled me even closer, gently guiding my head down until it rested comfortably against her chest. I could hear the steady, rhythmic beat of her heart right beneath my ear. She began to pat my back in a soft, steady cadence, surrounding me in her warmth, her perfume, and her absolute protection.

For the first time in five long, painful years, I felt entirely safe. And as the rhythm of her heartbeat lulled me into comfort, deep and peaceful sleep finally swept over me.