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..."