Taken

chapter five

AURELIA HAD BEEN AWOKEN AND SWEPT INTO SAWYER'S ARMS three times throughout the past week, and she'd be lying if she'd said she wasn't embarrassed. It hurts to have nightmares you can't control—she knows that better than anyone—but it hurts even more knowing that every single night, she's dragging Sawyer out of his bed and by hers, by duty.

She'd considered letting him go once or twice, but her brother had refused to think about it. He'd promised her he'd find a replacement as soon as possible—hopefully one who didn't make her feel guilty about awakening him with her cries of fear in the middle of the night. She'd been surprised to hear Sawyer had agreed to work temporarily, and yet, she's grateful as ever for the time he spends by her side.

"Aurelia."

She blinks, her gaze drawn to Sawyer's curious gaze. They'd been perched on the couch for longer than an hour now, simply playing cards and savoring one another's company. During the past week, they'd gone to several galas and attended invitational festivities, and there's often something nice about silence after a long week. Aurelia tosses another card onto the pile, a frown embedding itself onto her lips when she sees his next card.

He laughs at her expression. "And what did you say at the beginning?" he teases.

She scowls, for she remembers all too clearly the way she'd been ever so confident as she'd shuffled the cards. She'd never lost a game of cards before—excluding the time she'd been accidentally drunk on several glasses of champagne and couldn't quite read the numbers.

"The deal stands," Sawyer says patiently, holding out his hand. "One grand."

She shakes her head. "I never should've bet so high," she murmurs.

He tilts his head slightly, his expression amused. "No, you shouldn't have."

She laughs, a melodic sound that reverberates through the apartment and Sawyer's heart and soul, but before he can say another word, the doorbell rings, an unfamiliar sound in the streets of London. Aurelia frowns as she begins to stand, only to be gently pulled back down to the cushions by Sawyer, whose eyes have shifted to something more protective—more dangerous.

"Are you expecting anyone?" he asks, his voice low.

Aurelia shakes her head. "Let me go check—"

"No," he says firmly. "Stay here."

"Aurelia!" an all too familiar voice calls from outside, the sound muffled by the thick, wooden door.

Aurelia's eyes widen, and before Sawyer can breathe a word, she rushes to the door and pulls it open, instantly throwing herself into one of her closest childhood friend's arms with a laugh. As she pulls back, studying the male's face, she grins. "Where have you been?" she asks, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly, his fingers gently wrapping around her waist.

Sean Taylor breathes a laugh as he pulls back, his arms still lingering around her waist. "Aurelia Beaumont," he says, his lips pulling upwards into a smile. He releases her as he tousles her hair, dark, shoulder-length strands collapsing into her bright eyes. "You're all grown up," he observes, his smile wide.

She raises an eyebrow. "Is that meant to be an insult?" she retorts.

Sean chuckles. "No. You just look like you need a shower, that's all," he says, his eyes sparkling with the mischief that'd been permanently etched into them since he was five. His gaze shifts over her shoulder, and her eyes brighten slightly at the sight of Sawyer leaning against the doorway, looking all too much like he belongs in her apartment. Sean steps forward, a smile spreading across his lips. "Sean Taylor," he introduces himself as he extends a hand.