Page 65 of Hold Your Breath
“Someone tried to kill me.” The idea seemed so foreign, so abhorrent. “I almostdied.”
His grip tightened until it was almost painful, but she welcomed the security of his hold.
“And my truck,” she wailed, the loss of it hollowing out her chest. “I loved that truck so much.”
“I know.” He rubbed her back as she sobbed against his collarbone.
“All my stuff.” After pausing to take a shuddering breath, she continued, “I know they’re just replaceable objects, but they were important to me. They were the only things I brought with me from my old life. Now I have nothing.”
After a long pause, he said, “You still have these pajama pants. They’re very nice. I especially like the…dogs?”
With a laugh that was more sob than anything, she corrected shakily, “Hippos. They’re hippos.”
“They’re very nice hippos.”
“Thank you.” She hiccuped.
“And you don’t have nothing,” he soothed her, running a hand up and down her spine. “Whatever I have, you can use. Like my pickup. You can share my truck.”
“Thanks. I like your truck.”
“And you can stay in my house as long as you like.”
“I like your house, too.”
“You can eat whatever’s in the Crock-Pot.”
This time, her laugh was more solid. “Score. I love the contents of your Crock-Pot.”
He paused so long she started to doze standing up, startling awake when he finally spoke.
“And you have me.”
Her heart began beating very fast. She was tempted to make a joke but screwed up her courage instead, and met his gaze. “Good. I think I like you the best. Even more than the contents of your Crock-Pot—and that’s saying something.”
His contented rumble made her glad she’d been brave. “We’re going to find him, Lou,” he said, his expression fierce as he stared into her eyes. “We’re going to find that fucker. He won’t hurt you again.”
“Okay,” she whispered, overwhelmed by his intensity and the matching emotions that stirred in her. “But can we sleep first?”
“Okay.” Callum scooped her up and carried her through the kitchen and up the stairs.
“You don’t have to carry me,” she protested, looping her weighted arms around his neck. “You must be exhausted.”
“I’m fine.” He brought her into the bathroom, carefully lowering her legs until she was standing upright. After he watched her for a minute, most likely to make sure she wasn’t going to keel over, he turned to start the shower.
Lou unzipped her hoodie and let it drop to the floor. When Cal caught a glimpse of her in her tank and pajama pants, he blinked several times before heading for the door.
“I’ll…uh, get something for you to wear.” Still facing away from her, he paused in the doorway. “Will you be okay by yourself?”
“Sure,” she said, although she wasn’t sure if her legs would support her for another minute. Since she wasn’t about to strip naked in front of Callum, though, she’d just have to be tough. Her voice must have held more confidence than she felt, since Cal left, closing the door behind him.
The hot water felt amazing, except when it stung the minor burns and scrapes that were scattered over her body. The water ran gray at first as it washed the soot from her skin. She helped herself to Cal’s shampoo and soap, finding comfort in the thought of smelling like him. Her energy didn’t last long, though, so she rinsed quickly and turned off the water.
She was toweling off when Cal knocked on the door, opening it immediately after and giving her just enough time to clutch the towel to her chest. A quick downward glance showed that she had all the vital parts covered—barely.
His stare earlier was nothing compared to how his eyes raked over her now. Since he appeared to be frozen into place, Lou reached out and snagged the T-shirt and shorts dangling from his paralyzed hand. When she pulled gently, they popped free of his fingers. The movement seemed to wake him from his daze.
“Sorry. I’ll just…” He turned and almost walked into the edge of the door, jerking back just in time to prevent a collision before dashing out of the bathroom.
