Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
“I hope you’re right.” I tried not to think about my father’s dead body in the vehicle behind us. Instead, I focused on helping Lei. “Duck and you didn’t have to care so much about my life. I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
“I have never witnessed Duck run so fast.”
It was strange, but I almost asked about Duck’s penis. Was it corkscrew or not? It was crazy what thoughts came to my head as I battled the sorrow within it.
“I think I feel a tiny bit better. Maybe. . .I needed to say these things out loud. . .to someone.” Lei’s gaze remained on me. “It may be a good thing that you’re by my side, but I don’t know why.”
“My mother used to say that there wasn’t anything more powerful than a stranger’s ear.” I shrugged. “Sometimes it’s easier to share your fears and pain with someone that’s not close to you.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Our family and friends care so much. They may be biased and protective with their advice. And then they’ll always be responding from their perspective of you.”
He directed his view to the window. “And the stranger?”
“That person’s independent. No emotional connection. Perhaps, the stranger is more objective.”
He looked back at me. “And you’ll be my stranger’s ear?”
I raised my handcuffed wrist, thus triggering his hand to rise too. “I’ll be something, until you release me.”
He stared at the locked metal. “Eventually, I’ll take those off.”
“You should because. . .” I gave him a sad smile. “Eventually, I’ll need to go to the bathroom.”
“There’s ways we can keep the handcuffs on and you still go to the bathroom.”
I widened my eyes. “I would rather not explore those ways.”
“We’ll see.”
“We sure will.” I lowered my handcuffed hand and took in his silhouette.
Lei put his view back on the window.
He was such a handsome man.
Had it been another day, another time, I could have been completely enamored with him. Surely, he was a perfect example of masculine strength and beauty. Another week, it would have been hard to not stop everything and relish in the idea of him.
There was so much pain in his eyes, and now I knew why.
His heart must be so broken. He never got to love her.
Not thinking, I reached for his hand and gently squeezed it. Once our skin touched, I instantly felt like nothing could hurt him or me. As if when our hands bound together, we became shielded from harm.
He snapped his view to me, but he didn’t move his hand away. He kept it there and watched me. Maybe, he experienced the same protective sensations I did.
Should I let his hand go?
He closed his eyes and leaned back in the seat.
A long breath escaped his lips.
Still, he didn’t take his hand from mine.
Needing more contact, I turned his hand over and traced the lines on his palm. He had several old scars there. They were pale white and jagged little lines.
What happened to him?
It was odd to touch his hand this way. To experience this soft, subtle intimate moment with a man I barely knew. Never had I held hands this much with a stranger.
I should have stopped, but I couldn’t.
I should’ve let go, but I continued to stroke his palm.
My caressing kept my shattered mind busy.
Lei’s voice was a soft whisper. “Maybe, I won’t uncuff you.”
I trailed my finger along his thumb. “Why not?”
“Your touch is making this fucked-up reality. . .appear less distorted.”
My broken heart warmed. “Then, I’ll touch you more.”
Still leaning his head against the seat, he turned my way and opened his eyes.
No words left him.
Warm silence ran between us.
His piercing, brown eyes trapped me. They lured and beckoned. They summoned me to step into their wicked darkness. They whispered for me to fall into the tunneled view where the outside world disappeared and nothing mattered, but us two.
Help me heal and I’ll help you.
And I willingly let myself get lost in his dark gaze. I sank in it. Drowned in it. I let it envelop me. I wore it like a second skin.
And my spirit lifted a little.
And my bruised mind went weak with reckless possibility.
And my heart drummed with the subtle hint of hope that he could heal me.
And a silent desire filled my soul, telling me that maybe I could heal him too.
Chapter eleven
Soul and Spirit
Lei
Her touch was CPR.
I could breathe better because of it.
Those fingertips slipped along my palm and my body reawakened. She drew me out of my cold, dark cave of horror and heartbreak, pain and suffering.
Before we’d gotten in the car, I’d been in deep distress, but I couldn’t show it. I couldn’t tell anyone. I couldn’t even let the emotion wash over my face or appear in my actions.
That was why I ordered everyone to ride in the other vehicles. I needed a moment to loosen my mask and unlatch my armor. Just for a few seconds.