Loving The Beast

Chapter 34. Midnight Night Storms

Kinsley

The sound of thunder rolling through the sky and the steady patter of rain against the window pulled me from my slumber. My heart jolted as another loud crack echoed through the room, and I instinctively pulled the covers over my head, squeezing my eyes shut. I hated thunderstorms—they always scared the crap out of me! The rumble of thunder seemed to grow closer with every passing second, each burst louder and sharper than the last as if the storm was zeroing in on my window. 

"I HATE YOU THUNDER!!"

I tried to get out of bed but I fell flat on my face

"Owww."

I quickly scrambled off the floor and darted out the door, my heart racing as the storm seemed to intensify around me. The hallway felt eerie, almost otherworldly. The thunder was louder out here, echoing through the long, empty corridor like a growl that wouldn't stop. Shadows stretched and twisted with each flash of lightning, cast by the faint light streaming in through the two large windows at the end of the hall. The sound of my hurried footsteps was drowned out by the booming thunder that seemed to chase me. Every clap was sharper than the last, making me flinch. I reached his door and knocked, my hands trembling. The thunder roared again, rattling the walls as if the storm was trying to seep inside. Desperation fueled me as I pounded harder and harder, the storm almost mocking my fear. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open. His face appeared, shadowed and confused. 

"Kinsley? Why are you up? It's like three o'clock in the morning," he mumbled through a yawn, rubbing his eyes as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Well, um... you see, I was just wondering—" I started, but before I could finish, a deafening crack of thunder made me jump. My heart pounded in my chest, and I immediately regretted coming here. What was I doing? If I told Bradley I was afraid of thunder, he'd never let me live it down.

"Never mind," I said quickly, stepping back. "Sorry for waking you up. Goodnight."

I turned on my heel, ready to retreat down the hallway, but before I could take another step, his hand shot out and pulled me into his arms.

"Kinsley," he said softly, his voice tinged with amusement, "if you wanted to sleep in here with me because you're afraid of thunder, all you had to do was just say so."

"I—I don't know what you're talking about," I stammered, my cheeks flushing hot.

"Yeah, okay," he replied with a smirk, clearly not buying my denial.

He gently tugged me into the room and shut the door behind us. I hesitated for a moment before crawling under the covers, feeling both nervous and relieved. As I settled into the bed, I heard him shuffle toward the bathroom. Not long after, he stepped back into the room. Without a word, he climbed into bed beside me, his warm presence immediately calming my frazzled nerves. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. I rested my head against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat calming me as the storm continued to rage outside.

"You don't have to be afraid," he murmured, his voice low and comforting. "I've got you."

And at that moment, with the thunder roaring in the distance and his arms securely around me, I felt safe.

"Go to sleep. You're safe with me," he said softly.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the steady beat of his heart.

A few minutes later, I sighed. Sleep just wasn't happening. I shifted a little, careful not to wake Bradley, or at least, I hoped I wasn't.

Stupid thunder. I'd been sleeping perfectly fine until it decided to ruin everything. Now I'm wide awake, and he's over here sleeping like a baby. Figures.