For the first time in all my life, I believe this man, with every fiber of my being. He will stay and not let anything happen to me. It takes a few minutes to gather myself again, but soon enough, I am breathing easier and he escorts me to my bed. He pulls the covers back for me to get in and snaps himself some clothes and a bed appears as well. After he is changed and entering his own bed, he turns to look at me.

"I will be right here if you need me, I apologize if I snore."

I look at him wide eyed, "Do you snore very loud?"

He chuckles at me, "I don't know, I'm asleep."

"Oh, Bav. Sleep well." I roll over to hide my embarrassment from his teasing.

"Sleep well, Kara."

As tired as I am, my heart and mind is restless. Try as I might, I find my eyes are opening unable to sleep. I can hear Bav's steady deep breathing and I turn to look in his direction. Even in the low light, I can see his facial features from the soft glow of the street lights through the windows. His sharp and chiseled jaw line is softened under the low light. His dark hair falls around his face, gracing it like an elegant frame.

'I'm going to have so much to do tomorrow. I've got to clean up the mess and try to find a way to hide the damaged stuff. Bavarthos has already helped me enough. I can't dream of asking him to help. How am I not dreaming? This man is amazing. He saved me, is protecting me, and is staying here with me to let me feel at ease. Men like him are rare, and he likes me?'

A warm fluttery feeling rises up through me, making me smile so widely, my cheeks start to feel fatigue. Focusing back on his face, his beautiful dark eyes are open again.

'They're open again..! I've been caught!'

"Can't sleep?" Bav asks me, turning to face me fully.

I shake my head, "I can't. I'm thinking of the mess downstairs and what needs to be done tomorrow before I can open up for business." I begin to nervously chew on my thumbnail, but catch myself.

"You have never been closed before?"

I shake my head, "You can't earn money when the shop is closed."

"What would you do on the days you are ill?" He asks sitting up a little more.

"Work, but mostly in my office. I'd help clear the tables when the rush is over, but I have never taken a day off."

"Are you sure you want to work tomorrow?" He asks me, while doubt riddles his furrowed brows.

Swinging my legs over as I sit up, "Well let's go see how bad it is down there. That's the only way I'll know." I make my way to the door as Bav puts on a robe. Then we're heading downstairs with my heart beating like a piston engine.

Slowing down and proceeding with more caution, I stick my head out into the kitchen. The whisk lays discarded on the floor still, dried blood on the handle.

Gulping for air, I shakily step forward and see the kitchen that is still a mess. My bloody hand prints all over, broken bits of wood and porcelain are scattered as I make my way to dining area. Chairs are scattered, a table flipped over. The lower shelves for the porcelain and cloth items are broken, bloody bits of porcelain are scattered. I see where I broke my nose by the dark stain of blood that drips from the shelves to it.

I'm shaking so bad, I can't hold myself still. Warm hands touch my arms, helping to steady me.

"I think I should get started on this mess now." I tremble as flashes of the attack are still fresh in my mind.

"Alright." Bav says and we immediately get to work.

When we're done there's a table that's missing two chairs and there are marks on the walls from the porcelain and shelves. It doesn't look too bad.

"I'll start scrubbing the floors, hopefully these stains will come out. I don't know what to do about the shelves and marks though." I say over my shoulder as I go for the bucket and scrub brush.

"I'll see what I can do."

The sun is peaking through the windows when we have finally finished.

"Bav, you are a miracle worker! I can't see anything on the plaster now. I never would have thought to paint it."

A dark blue coat of paint resides on the wall like paper, making the shelves stand out with their light colored porcelain pots and table cloths making the items pop against it.

Turning to a smug Bav, who's face is dotted with blue specks of paint, a smudge here and there, I can only tighten my lips to suppress a giggle.

Totally oblivious to what I'm smiling about, he scratches his head and asks me, "What?"

Covering my mouth as I turn to giggle, I motion for him to follow me to my office.

"OH." Looking at the mirror, he motions his chin from side to side. "I think this is a good look for me. Do you like it that much?" His cheeky grin has me bursting.

"HA hahaha! " I clutch my sides as we both join together laughing. He grabs my hand and pulls me to the mirror.

Still laughing, "haha.. Oh MY WORD!" Right across my brow is a smudge of blue, looking down at my hands I see nothing. However, my apron that I used to wipe the sweat from my brow... is another story.

Laughing hysterically at each other, he snaps us back upstairs to my bathroom area. Disorientated I ask him, "Oh, please do me a favor and warn me beforehand, next time." Still giggling at each other, he nods.

"Here. Let me get you a cloth." I grab a towel and wet it, as his magical seat appears for him to sit next to the wash basin.

I begin to wipe gently, as he continues to gaze up at me, both of us still smiling. It grows quiet as I wipe the paint away and rinse the cloth. I'm almost finished when I glance down and see his eyes are closed. The calm serenity that covers his smiling face overwhelms me, like a lightening strike to my heart.

'I want to see this look on him everyday because of me. That sweet smile with those velvety lips....'

I don't think anything past that. Lowering my face to his, I place my lips upon his, with my eyes wide open. His brows perk up at the sudden kiss, but his eyes remain closed and his smile widens. His arms wrap around me and turns me into his embrace to sit upon his knee gently.

He deepens the kiss, parting my lips with his gentle requesting tongue that slides across my bottom lip. Closing my eyes, I welcome him openly, returning the passion. I am so wrapped up in the slide of our lips and tongues moving against one another causing the ball of need in my chest to grow, that I don't realize he's looking at me. Until a lustful moan escapes me to vibrate against his lips as he bites my bottom lip.

My eyes pop open at the needy and feral sound that escapes from me. He's staring right back at me, mirroring each others desire in the reflection of our eyes.

*Ring-ring-ring*

My little alarm clock breaks the spell we have entangled ourselves in together. I pull away and go turn it off, turning with my gaze down.

"I should start getting ready for the girls to show up for the day." I peak at him from under my stray loose curls, chewing on my now swollen lips from his touch.

"Yes. Would you like me to stay? I can stay up here, out of sight. Maybe... Show up to spend the day with you once the shop is open? Or I can come back when you're closing up for the day." He stands, grabbing the discarded towel from cleaning his face earlier and begins rinsing it out, waiting for my response.

Opening up my wardrobe, I pull out some fresh clothes for the day and turn to put them on the bed. Instead, I turn into Bav's arms, who takes the dress from me and tosses it to the bed. He begins to wipe and cleanse my own face, staring into my eyes as he removes the paint from my brow.

I feel like I can't breathe and I am alright with it. I could handle this kind of treatment from Bav, every day. This soft, yet strong touch on my skin. Those passionate wild kisses that take me away and I end up lost in a sea of emotion and sensory pleasures.

"So what shall it be?"He asks, voice dripping like sweet honey.

I remember how to breathe, as I swallow audibly. My voice raises an octave in question and immediately my face warms.

"I know you have your own things to attend to. I'll see you when I'm closing up the shop tonight?"

Glancing down upon his chest, I feel his lips feather a kiss upon my brow.

"Of course. I will make sure I am here on time. Ring me at the same address if you need me, even if it is for something trivial. I will not mind." He reluctantly pulls away from me and lifts my chin.

"If you feel anything is out of place, or your intuition says danger in any way, call if you can, run if you can't. Hopefully this advice is not needed, but just in case. I do not want to see anything happen to you my dear. Are you planning on telling your 'uncle' Mr Wellsew?"

I raise my brow at him, "I was to an extent. The lack of physical evidence of the attack on me right now though is going to puzzle him. Should I divulge your abilities in confidence or avoid that part?"

He runs his hands through his long hair and I can see the cogs and wheels within his mind moving.

"You may, in person, if you can truly confide in him with confidence of keeping that to himself. Otherwise it may be best to avoid the struggle, just the ripped dress and me stepping in will suffice I believe."

"There is blood on the dress." I remind him.

"It's his. You smashed a chair into his head, he smashed the shelves, while you ran to get out of the shop, he tripped you and ripped your dress. I arrived and broke the other chair before any more harm befell you. Then I quietly had him sent to the prison to avoid a scandal for you." He pauses looking uncomfortable. "I don't like to lie or have any one lie for me, but I'm guessing you don't have full confidence in Mr. Wellsews digression?"

My frown scrunches my face as I reply, "I don't trust anyone completely." I drop my gaze, feeling guilty because he now knows I have not given him my trust yet either.

He lets out a heavy sigh and takes my hand in his. "Trust is something that can be gained though. I shall let you get ready, I'll stay until the girls arrive though."

He kisses my hand and exits the room to give me some privacy.

Today though, I put on my ankle and thigh straps for my knives and my pistol. I will not become relaxed to the point of carelessness again and become a victim.

I refuse to be a victim.

I will make sure of that.