Page 132 of Burn Like An Angel

“Well, it’s a constant battle between your inner child who’s scared and just wants to feel safe… your inner teenager who’s angry and wants justice… and your current self. The one who just wants peace.”

Gaping at him, I’m too surprised to form a response. Enzo drags a palm down his rugged face, his gaze now averted.

“I don’t know if that helps. Good to meet you properly, Ripley. We’ll be in touch.”

With that wise pearl delivered, he turns and leaves. Enzo Montpellier could rival Lennox with his aggressive stomping around, but I doubt anyone could match the heart of gold he seems to have.

Silence drapes over me, broken by the distant ticking of the clock hanging on the wall. Now that I’m alone, all the shameful secrets I’ve just revealed leave me feeling dirty.

Perhaps the different parts of me have been fighting all along. Orphaned Ripley. Angry, grieving Ripley. Abandoned Ripley. Now tired Ripley. In that battleground, I lashed out, creating so much collateral damage.

A layer of blood and tears coat my soul, and short of digging the thing out with a rusty spoon, I’ll never be able to get it clean. Not after all I’ve done to be sitting here today.

The invisible fist in my chest squeezing, I head for the shared bathroom, quickly stripping off the clothing I was given to wear. More essentials and toiletries were delivered this morning.

Studying my bruised torso in the mirror, I poke the sensitive flesh. It could be worse. The pain meds are working. I locate the new shampoo and shower gel we were given before stepping into the shower.

Not so long ago, I stood in a shower and scrubbed the memories of Xander and Lennox from my skin. Life has changed so much since then. I feel lost without the guys all around me now.

Head ducked, I brace my hands on the tiled wall. Water sluices over me, and in the spray, I fail to realise I’m not alone until the bathroom door clicks shut.

“Wha…?”

My exclamation dies on my lips. Leaning against the bathroom door, Lennox watches me through the steamed-up glass. A million warring emotions dance in his eyes beneath ruffled, thick-brown locks.

“You’re done?”

He shrugs. “That Ethan guy didn’t have any more questions. I guess the other interviews are taking longer. Xander and Raine aren’t back yet.”

“I see.”

Continuing to wash myself, I lather my body with foaming shower gel. Lennox’s throat bobs beneath dark stubble overduefor a shave. His chest stretches the bounds of his shirt, the defined muscles making my toes curl.

“What did you tell Enzo?”

“Enough to take to the authorities.” I tip my head back to rinse my hair. “Kept some details brief.”

“Like?” Lennox challenges.

“Like you zip tying me in a swimming pool, for one.”

His gaze lowers, flitting over me unashamedly. “I see.”

A column of heat gathers between my legs, the long slow burn gathering into a raging furnace. I like the way he looks at me. Powerless and hungry. Like he’d beg for a mere touch.

After washing the shower gel from my body, I turn off the spray and step out. Water clings to me, trailing over my curves as I disregard the towel I laid out. The sore bruises and bright-pink gunshot wound on my thigh suddenly feel inconsequential.

Lennox holds stock-still, watching me pad towards him. I stop mere inches away, completely bare. His attention dips to trail over me, greedily drinking in every inch.

It isn’t the first time he’s seen me naked, but we’re not imprisoned in a cell now. He can do whatever he likes.

“Don’t you want to know what I told them?” he asks thickly.

“Not right now. No.”

Nodding, Lennox’s tongue darts out to lick his bottom lip. “So what do you want?”

Pent-up desire has emboldened me. We’ve exchanged heated whispers and the odd kiss since escaping. Yet he refuses to take that next step. I’ll take it for the both of us if I have to.

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