Chapter 277: I Don't Want Pity

Tallulah's POV:

Opening my eyes, the whole world feels right for a few minutes. I'm wrapped in Jarrod's arms, clinging to him as if he's my life line. Slightly too warm, it's not exactly comfortable but there's no way I'm pulling away.

I've avoided him, pulled away from his touch... ached for the one thing that I was too scared to own.

But now, with him here, asleep next to me, he's significantly less intimidating.

I reach up, stroking my hand across his stubbly chin. His face is completely relaxed, fully at ease.

He's everything I want and everything I'm scared I can't have.

He didn't treat me differently last night, didn't react badly, didn't look at me with pity. Yet, I'm terrified that when he opens his eyes, he won't give me the same look that he gave me yesterday.

I press my fingers to his temple, along the side of his brow. He's handsome. Perfect in a rough around the edges sort of way.