A Scene From My Book- a Broken Man

He paced the living room, furious with himself. What had he gotten himself into? Why had he agreed to Laila’s request to see her family? Here he was alone…all alone in the house with the only person in the whole world he had come to desire more than life itself. How long could he carry on this older brother charade with Nada? Her father trusted him. He had given his word that he wouldn't let his feelings show until she was ready. In exasperation he sank into the sofa, kicking off his shoes, wishing the night to pass when suddenly, he heard screams coming from upstairs. “Emile! Emile…watch out!! Go back…Go back!” He tore up the stairs and into her room at a speed that surprised him. There she was…thrashing in bed, tears streaming down her face. “Oh God! NO, NOOOO!” Sitting on the side of the bed, he spoke soothingly to her as he tried to pull her out of the nightmare. “It’s a dream…It’s just a dream.” And then she was crying in his arms…sobs that shook his strong frame. “There, there now”…his hands ran down the length of her silky black hair as he rocked her back and forth. It was in that moment that he knew….he wanted to be there to protect her forever. If only! Gently he released her and she lay back on the bed…trembling. ”Here…Laila left a pill for you if this should happen.” She turned her sightless eyes to the sound of his voice. “Please, Steve, don’t leave me.” “I will stay with you until you fall sleep,” he said as he helped her to drink down the pill that gave her back her sanity. “Will you hold me, hold me until I fall asleep again?” What was she asking of him? Could he? Carefully he slid into bed with her. She turned into his arms and wrapped her body to his, drawing strength from him. He stiffened as he held in his breath. Her nearness…the faint smell of coconut that clung to her damp hair, the softness of her body…her breath on his neck....it was torture. “Hold me,” she begged, and he realized that his hands were stuck to his sides, dead weights of fear…fear of closeness to the one whom he was longing to love as a man loved a woman, but he couldn't lose control...not now. With supernatural strength he enfolded her…whispering into her hair….fighting her demons away. He felt her relax…it was then that he caught sight of the life size posters of him in the room! He felt like he was in a shrine. Clearing his throat he asked, ”So, who is this actor anyway?” A Broken Man- A novel I started when I was 14ish.