Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
She hugged herself as if I’d said something wrong. “Y-You called me Lori.”
I froze.
Had I slipped already?
Did X know that name or Zander?
She messaged you as X, you dumbass.
Breathing hard, I tried to get my anxiety under control. This was literally the worst thing I’d ever done, and I’d already burned through enough luck not being recognised.
“I have to go.” I stepped toward the kitchen.
“Wait.” She swayed toward me as her hand came up.
I stiffened. The nurturing aspect of my soul that got me into far too much strife reacted instantly. Shifting back to her, I almost—almost touched her again. My fingers burned to cup her elbow or grab her hand. To offer support and contact.
It took all my willpower to stay where I was.
Her gaze slid over me, taking in my black attire. Her eyes widened, fear glossing her stare.
The tops of my bare toes stung as she glared at them.
“Don’t ask,” I growled, adding more rocks to my voice. “I can’t answer, and I don’t want to lie.”
Her eyebrows pinched together, but slowly, she nodded. “I wasn’t looking at your feet, actually. I…” She swallowed hard and balled her hands. “I was looking at the carpet where you’re standing.”
My heart thundered against my ribs. My gaze dropped to the spot between the couch and the coffee table. Her little inhale of pain told me all I needed to know.
I didn’t have to focus on changing my voice to a growl, it happened naturally. All those aggressive, possessive instincts that I’d always buried roared through me. “This is where he tried to kill you.”
She flinched and rubbed her bare arms.
Her dress floated around her legs with soft grey and pink layers. The sleeveless bodice twinkled in the night with pink and silver threads in the shape of falling flower petals. Her sandy blonde hair floated around her shoulders in messy, sleepy curls, and the night softened her features until she looked like a dream.
A dream where I’d wake up any moment and she’d be gone.
A single tear glimmered in the dark, rolling to her chin.
And I didn’t think.
Striding into her, I snatched her around her nape and waist and pressed her hard against me. The second her body collided with mine, I saw literal fucking stars.
Every synapse arrowed in on her. Every breath. Every heartbeat. I’d never felt anything like it with anyone. She felt so right. She fit so perfectly.
She struggled a little, and rationality tore through my mistake.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” Untangling my hand in her hair at her nape, I gently pushed her away. “I didn’t mean. I wasn’t going to—”
With a soft cry, she threw herself against my chest. Her arms looped around my waist as she buried her face into my t-shirt.
I didn’t move for a second.
I couldn’t.
And then, chemical reaction overrode common sense. I enveloped her in the tightest hug I’d ever given. My fingers wove through her hair as I pressed her cheek to my heart. My spine curled to curve around her, sheltering her the best I could, all while my other arm fit snugly around her waist, pinning her in place.
She shuddered a little as if silently crying, but she didn’t push me away. Didn’t ask me to release her. We stood there, on the spot where she’d almost died, and didn’t say a word.
My eyes closed as I rested my chin on the top of her head.
My heartbeat grew thick and loud, pounding through me.
I lost track of time. I didn’t care how many minutes or hours passed. I had her in my arms. She was safe in my protection. I never wanted to let her go.
A shimmer of light danced on my peripheral as if someone’s shadow passed by in the corridor. The old box TV suddenly turned on, spewing snow and hissing loudly.
Sailor jumped out of my embrace, pressing a hand to her chest. “Oh my God.”
Snatching the remote off the coffee table, I turned it off. Partly because the noise was awful but also the light would be my downfall.
She blinked as I tossed the remote onto the couch and shifted toward the dining room. “I better go.”
“You probably should. This house is haunted.”
“Excuse me?”
She smiled. “By my nana. I think it was her who turned on the TV. Probably doesn’t approve of me hugging a skull-masked stranger in the dead of night.”
“She’s wise, and you should probably follow her suggestion.” I backed up slowly. “I hope I didn’t scare you. That wasn’t my intention when coming in here. I promise I won’t—”
“I won’t move the key.” She dropped her eyes as if embarrassed. “I might second-guess this in the morning, but…I’m glad you were able to get in. You stopped a particularly awful nightmare.” She shuddered as she looked at the carpet again. “I should know better than to fall asleep in here. It’s where the memories are the worst.”