Chapter 58 - Cloud of Confusion (1/2)

At exactly five in the morning, Maxen's leg jerked, startling Olivia in her sleep.

Tiredness and lack of sleep clouded her mind and she was instantly brought back to a nightmare she kept forcing out of her mind since she was eight.

One. Two. Three. Four. Olivia rumbled on with her eyes closed as she frisked under her pillow on instinct. Her hand tightened her grip when she felt what she was looking for. She was soaked with sweat, her hair sticking together when a hand crawled on her waist and travelled to her arm. She sighed in relief when she realized who it was.

”Baby, it's me,” Maxen cooed, nuzzling his nose on the back of her head. However, his eyes flew open when he felt what Olivia was clinging on to. He snatched it away from her and sprang up the bed.

Knife. A small pocket knife to be exact.

By the time he was able to formulate his words, Olivia was sitting upright on the bed, her back resting on the tufted headboard.

”Can you explain to me why you have a knife under your pillow?” he asked under his breath.

Mortification painted Olivia's face as she took in how Maxen pulled his hair and swiped his hand over his face. He was as shocked as she was.

”I… I always have it with me.”

”I could see that. But why?”

Noting her nuances, how her eyes darted around the room and how she looked like a scared kitten even under the disguise of her furrowed brows, Maxen didn't press on and dropped the knife on the bedside table.

He scooted to her side of the bed and enveloped her in a hug.

Reassuring her, he rubbed his hand on her arm, ”From now on, you don't need to keep a knife under your pillow, baby.”

”I can't sleep without it.”

”What if you stabbed me while you're half-asleep?”

”If you're worried about your life, then you're free to sleep by yourself.”

Olivia pushed the duvet off her and swung her legs to the edge of the bed where she sat down with her back facing him.

Looking over her shoulder she reminded him, ”This is who I am Maxen. It helps me fall asleep with a knife under my pillow. Just because I let you get away with some things, doesn't mean I'll let you take control of my life.”

She pushed herself up and walked towards the en suite, splashing water on her face.

A few moments later, Maxen leaned against the door frame, his arms crossed over his c.h.e.s.t.

Once the cloud of confusion cleared in his head, it took him awhile to gather his thoughts. He read it on her file.

A burglary happened in her apartment when she was eight and her butler was stabbed to death.

He fixed his gaze on her through the mirror and frowned at her sweaty distraught face.

He didn't want to agitate her more because one, they lack sleep and two, that topic is a sore spot for Olivia.

Pushing himself off the door frame with his arm, he walked towards the vanity and hugged Olivia from behind, leaning his chin on her shoulder.

”Let's go back to sleep.”

Olivia forced a small smile and that was his cue to whisk her up, carrying her bridal-style back to the bed.

He gingerly placed her on top of the bed and grabbed the knife on the bedside table, tucking it under her pillow.

Olivia choked at his attentiveness to her plight. It was the first time someone found out about her little secret. Lance didn't even know about it or he probably didn't care.

Sitting in front of her, Olivia studied Maxen's face. His understanding smile sent butterflies to her stomach that she rewarded him with a deep searing kiss, so deep, it sent a signal down between his legs. He hovered over Olivia and slowly laid her down on the bed without breaking their kiss. He started to dry hump her and busied his hands on her legs. Reaching her mound, he slid her p.a.n.t.i.e.s to the side and was ready for action when a soft knock echoed from the door.

Annoyed at the intrusion, he grabbed the book on Olivia's bedside table and threw it on the door. The loud thud made Jack, who was standing in posture on the other side, flinch in his spot.