Chapter 9. The Past

Anna May

The first thing she noticed upon waking up, she was warm. Not the kind of heat that would make her sweat. This felt more like a security blanket.

She stared at the muscled arm – wide-eyed – holding her tightly. Her legs tangled to equally muscled calves. She stiffened, remembering all the predators that tried to take advantage of her and her sisters. She began to hyperventilate. Shit!

"Shhh, baby girl. It’s me." Alexander. She thought it was all a dream.

Anna sighed relief, finding comfort in his arms.

She remembered her nightmare last night and his comforting presence. Had shamelessly asked him to stay. He did and chased her fears away. She turned in his arms to face him and tilted her head and smiled. The light of the glorious morning streamed from the elegant contemporary Italian-styled windows.

"Good morning, Xander." God! He looked even more handsome in his five-o’clock shadow.

"Good morning, cara