5. Breathing and Wanting

ERICA

I woke up feeling like someone locked me in a sauna. For half a second I was confused until my body recognised the familiar cage of his arms and the scent of him that was uniquely his. When I opened my eyes I found him half lying beside me and half of his body was beneath mine as my head and my bandaged arm rested on his chest and stomach.

I slightly tipped my head back and looked at him. His eyes were closed but there was a frown line on his forehead which I smoothed with the soft touch of my fingers. He was hot to the touch, almost feverish and my heart ached for him. This man, so complicated with so many layers, I didn't know how to understand him or how much I truly do and even if that was right.

He looked tired and so vulnerable as there were dark circles beneath his eyes. I ached to see him like this, my eyes stung as I thought that he was here, looking like this because of me. This mountain of a man shielded me with his body so I won't get hurt. He saved me by putting h