Chapter 106 Bella's POV

Chapter 106 Bella's POV
Chapter Hundred and six

Bella’s POV

I don't know how long I stayed in his arms.

Maybe a few seconds… minutes… maybe longer.

I hated that Daniel’s behavior had shaken me enough to cling to the one man I’d promised myself to stay guarded from.

Slowly, I pulled back and wiped a stray tear with the heel of my hand.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

Xander frowned. “Don’t apologize.”

My cheeks burned. “I wasn’t expecting tonight to… turn into this. I didn’t want Noah to hear or see anything upsetting.”

His entire body stiffened. “He didn’t see anything.”

“I know,” I whispered. “But he could have.”

Xander’s jaw clenched. “Which is why I’m staying tonight.”

It felt relieving to hear that.

I exhaled softly and turned away, running my fingers through my hair as I tried to piece my thoughts together.

“I trusted Daniel,” I murmured. “He’s been in our lives for years. He never… he never tried something like that. Ever.”

Xander stayed quiet for a moment. “People don’t always show their intentions until they feel threatened.”

I swallowed. Deeply. “Threatened by what?”

“Me,” he said simply.

I tilted my head in confusion. “What?”

“Just forget about it, let's go check up on Noah.”

Noah was curled up on the floor, hugging his little stuffed dinosaur.

Xander stepped in behind me, and even though his footsteps were quiet, Noah stirred.

“Mommy…?” he mumbled, half-asleep.

I carried him gently to his bed. “Shh… it’s okay, baby. I’m right here.”

Noah blinked sleepily and looked around. When his eyes landed on Xander, he whispered. “Daddy?”

My heart squeezed.

Xander froze a bit before walking slowly towards us.

“Hey, buddy,” he whispered, kneeling beside him. “You okay?”

Noah nodded, rubbing his eyes. “I had a bad dream.”

“What kind of dream?” Xander asked gently.

“I couldn’t find Mommy… or you.”

He leaned forward and brushed a hand over Noah’s hair.

“You’re not going to lose us, it's just a dream,” he said quietly.

Noah’s eyelids drooped again, and he slipped back into sleep.

When we finally stepped out of the room, I closed the door gently.

Xander rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll, uh… take the couch.”

I blinked. “You don’t have to…”

“I do. Unless… you want me to sleep with you on the same bed again.

“Y… you know that's not what I meant.”

“If I stay in your room, you won’t sleep. I haven't slept in and you're already nervous.” He glanced at the living room. “The couch will be fine.”

I grabbed a blanket from the linen closet and handed it to him. Our fingers brushed, and the tiny contact sent a stupid spark up my arm.

He acted like he didn’t feel it but I knew he did.

I placed a pillow on the couch and stood there for a second, unsure of what to say next.

Xander sat down on the couch and leaned back in exhaustion.

“Bella,” he said, looking up at me, “if you need anything tonight… anything at all… wake me.

“I will,” I said softly.

We stared at each other longer than necessary.

Then I turned to walk away, but his voice stopped me.

“Bella?”

I looked back.

“Thank you for letting me stay,” he murmured. “I know you didn’t have to.”

I didn’t trust myself to answer.

So I just nodded and went to my room, closing the door quietly behind me.

I must have closed my eyes for five minutes before the memories of Daniel jolted me awake again.

I sat up, pressing a hand over my heart, trying to breathe.

But my body refused to cooperate.

A faint light shone under the crack of my door. Xander must’ve left a small lamp on.

I swallowed hard and slipped out of bed.

When I opened the bedroom door, I saw him.

Xander wasn’t asleep.

He sat upright on the couch, elbows on his knees, with his brows furrowed like he was deep in thought.

The blanket I gave him lay untouched beside him.

He was wide awake… guarding the house like he expected danger to happen right away.

I almost laughed. He looked really comical with his soldier -like posture.

He didn’t even notice me yet.

I stepped closer without thinking. “You’re not sleeping.”

At the sound of my voice, his head snapped up.

His eyes softened instantly. “Bella. Why are you awake?”

I hesitated. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Nightmares?” he asked gently.

“Not exactly,” I sighed. “Just… everything.”

I wrapped my arms around myself. “You should try to sleep too. It’s late.”

“I will,” he murmured, “after I’m sure you’re okay.”

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and sighed.

“You don’t have to sit like that,” I said softly. “You look… uncomfortable.”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “I’m fine, Bella.”

“You look like you’re waiting for someone to attack the house,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

His expression didn’t change. He just continued to stare at the doorknob.

“Are you?” I added quietly.

He inhaled slowly. “I’m waiting to make sure he doesn’t come back.”

My stomach flipped. “Daniel wouldn’t—”

“He tried something once,” Xander said, voice low, “and he didn’t stop when you told him no. I don't trust him.”

I stuttered. “Bu… but he…”

“I don’t trust him,” he added. “And I’m not taking chances with you. You… you don't know him like I do.”

I regarded him suspiciously. “What do you mean by that?”

He sighed. “It's nothing.”

I whispered, “Xander… come on. You can at least lie down.”

He stared at me for a moment, then exhaled.

“Alright,” he said. “I’ll lie down. Only if you go back to bed.”

“I will,” I promised.

He stretched out on the couch, but he still looked… tense.

I stepped away, but his voice stopped me again.

“Bella?”

I turned.

“You’re safe tonight,” he said quietly. “I’m here. Nothing’s happening to you.”

I whispered, “Goodnight, Xander.”

He held my gaze. “Goodnight, Bella.”

I walked back into my room, closed the door… and leaned against it.