Spoiled by the Silver Fox

Sullivan's expression was impassive, as if the drama unfolding before him was no more than a faint breeze rustling through the leaves of an indifferent world.

He instructed the two burly bodyguards dressed in their dark suits to escort Stephanie and Emily back to their hotel, while he himself waited for the ambulance to arrive. Observing the driver being whisked away for emergency care, Sullivan eventually returned to his own hotel room to catch some sleep.

But no sooner had he drifted off than a rapping at the door jolted him awake.

Groggy and disoriented, Sullivan staggered to the door and swung it open to reveal a disheveled little girl in pajamas, barefoot, clutching a teddy bear to her chest as she stood on the threshold, a pout adorning her face. "Sullivan, I need a place to crash."

"Huh?"

"Stephanie got totally wasted... made a huge mess, and I called Alison to come clean it up. She's gonna bunk with her for the night, and now I've got nowhere to sleep."

In truth, she could have curled up on the couch or even crashed in Alison's room.

But there was something about Sullivan, something familiar that resonated with her, and Emily felt a pull to be near him. Almost on instinct, she had run down to find him. Sullivan frowned. "I'm not in the business of babysitting, kid."

"I don't need anybody to babysit me; I'm super chill when I sleep."

"Come on in, then."

Stepping aside, Sullivan watched the girl scamper into the room with a bounce in her step.

By the time he had shut the door and returned to the bedside, Emily had already tucked herself in, the picture of innocence.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Suppressing a yawn, he grumbled, "No noise tonight, or out you go."

"Don't worry, Sullivan; I won't make a peep," she promised.

Sullivan slipped under the covers and fell asleep almost instantly.

Emily, lying beside him, stared into the darkness, her eyes fixed on him for a long while before sleep finally claimed her.

There was something about Sullivan, something in his very bones that drew her in. But what it was, she couldn't say.

As sleep began to overcome her, she yawned and turned over, drifting off.

Beside her, Sullivan's eyes snapped open, his gaze piercing the dark toward the puzzling girl beside him. She was so pretty, almost too perfect, like a delicate porcelain doll that anyone would feel compelled to protect. Then, suddenly, darkness enveloped him.

A hand crept out from under the covers and covered his eyes.

"I knew you weren't asleep... You're just like me; always on guard, never truly resting unless you're with

someone you can trust completely."

Sullivan's voice was cool. "Take your hand away."

Emily giggled and retracted her hand.

"Thought you were a sound sleeper?"

"Well, I haven't actually fallen asleep yet."

"I'm beginning to think you're anything but, kid. Out with it-why are you trying to get close to me?"

"What if I said there's no reason? I just wanted to be near you. Would you believe me?" "No."

"Believe it or not, it's up to you." "Sleep or I'll kick you out."

"I'll sleep!"

"Then shut it."

"But

Stephanie would always tell me

525 Pret sleep, my mom and

. Could you, Sullivan, tel

one?"

Sullivan felt a burgeoning headache. "What kind of story do you want to hear?" "Maybe your story?"

Sullivan let out a sardonic laugh. "You want my story? Then trade it for yours."

In the darkness, Emily's eyes sparkled. See? My intuition was

of people."

. At our core, we're t

"How's that?"

"Insecure, disillusioned, wishing to be anyone but ourselves. Do those count?" Sullivan's brow furrowed. "How old are you, anyway?"