Husband With Benefits-Chapter 581: Shoulders

As Gabe realized that the night he believed to have had peaceful sleep, had not been so peaceful after all, he went still. Not having memory of something like this was dangerous... And yet, as he frowned, he realized that he did have a faint memory of someone near him, comforting him... He’d just dismissed it as his own fantastical imagination.

But what if he had done something that night to Autumn? No.. he needed to warn her that she should keep away from him, especially when he was in the grip on a nightmare. He wouldn’t have any control over himself otherwise...

Sitting close to him, Autumn could feel the stillness inside of him and realized that she’d probably made him uncomfortable after mentioning that night. She’d wondered if he remembered but now she knew... She looked at his clenched fingers on the edge of the swing and gently placed her hand over his, wanting to comfort him.

Gabe looked up in surprise as he felt her hold his hand and sighed. He needed to warn her now... "In the future.. Autumn, in the future if you ever see me having a nightmare, just go away, okay? Don’t come near me."

She shot him a look, feeling hurt. Why couldn’t she soothe him when he was allowed to do that for her? Clenching her jaw, she shook her head stubbornly," I won’t."Gabe looked at her in surprise as she repeated," I won’t go away and leave you with a nightmare." She felt him staring at her and quickly explained herself," I want to take care of you the way you do me..."

This time, his stare made her feel ridiculous... for having said those words... though there was nothing she could do about it. However, as much as she wanted to look away and apologize for being presumptious, she forced herself to look at him as he explained, "You don’t understand, Autumn, I can hurt you..."

She looked into his eyes and for the first time realized that she did not know anything about this man other than his kindness and his patience with her and Arabelle. And yet... the trust was implicit. "I know you won’t hurt me. Those are jsut bad dreams..." She didn’t say that he’d pulled her to him. That might upset him more...

He gave her a smile then and shook his head," See, you’re too innocent. You know I can hurt anyone I want to. I’ve done it in front of you and even then you believe in me."

She nodded. " I know and that is why I believe..So, I’m sure you won’t hurt me."

Gabe sighed," You don’t understand..."

"I do, Gabe. Trust me, I understand. I know you won’t hurt me." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Gabe felt his heart clench as he looked at the surety in her eyes. It made him ache. If only ’she’ had held that... Unable to stop himself, he cupped her face, his thumb caressing her cheek," You’re too sweet..." As he was about to withdraw his hand, she caught his wrist, "Gabe."

He looked at her hand holding his and sighed again. He needed to get away. This would be a bad time to be close to her... when he was at his weakest, and she seemed to be offering him the peace he craved...however, before he could gather his composure, she spoke up," You don’t have to face your nightmares alone... You have me."

A bitter smile graced his face at that. Dam* it... He was losing this out... This wasn’t fair! He could fight the most seductive of women but how was he to fight the innocence? He needed her to run inside and lock the door against him... His eyes narrowed as he has an idea...To achieve that end, he tugged at the wrist she was holding and pulled, making her go off balance. With his other arm, he cupped her waist and lifted her so that she was now on his thigh.

He smiled when he felt her tremble and gasp at their position. Now she would run away. Scared. However, she proved him wrong. Because within a moment, her trembling stopped and her hand landed on his shoulder, supporting herself as she continued to look at him expectantly, as if waiting for him to make the next move.

"Your shoulders are too slender to be carrying the weight of my nightmares and monsters, Autumn," he said, his voice a low, strained whisper. He caressed her face this time, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw, feeling the softness of her skin. Even her hand, only placed on his shoulder felt burning to him.

Autumn took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling against his, making him realize just how attracted to this girl he was. "Maybe not forever," she replied, her voice soft but firm. "But for some time... Maybe I could lend them to you."

The words proved to be his undoing. When had he ever had someone say to him that he could borrow their shoulder to lean on? Closing his eyes in resignation, he murmured," Alright, Autumn. You win. Let me borrow your shoulder for a while."

His arm around her waist tightened and he pulled her close so that there was no space between their bodies and placed his head on her shoulder, sighing deeply as he closed his eyes. Even her scent was soothing to him.

Autumn felt her heart race. Thankfully, he’d placed his head on the right side, or else he would have been able to hear her heart racing. She’d never been this close to anyone and she could feel herself going hot...

She felt him shudder beneath her, his breath falling on her neck in short wisps. Feeling guilty about her own emerging feelings for him, she tried to focus on consoling him. Unable to stop herself, she started to gently rub his back, trying to soothe him the wayshe would do Arabelle. His hair tickled her face so she gently tried to smooth it back. He had such silky beautiful hair...