Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“I hear it now that you pointed it out,” Locke said. “The Texas drawl.”
Texas drawl? Were they saying I was from Texas?
I glanced over at Locke to find him studying me as if the answer were about to appear on my forehead.
“It’s hard to pick up on it. You’re right; it’s polished,” he added.
My heartbeat, which had been acting silly over every move and thing Luther said, started pounding in my ears as heat rose up my neck. My breathing became short and rapid. Almost as if I couldn’t get enough oxygen.
What was wrong with me?
A sharp pain in my head made me wince, and I pressed my fingertips to my temples and closed my eyes, trying to ease it.
“I might not be the boss, but I’m going to stop this. She doesn’t need to be prodded anymore.” Jayda’s voice was firm but felt far away.
Why was I struggling to breathe?
My hands were moved away from my temples, and I squeezed my eyes tighter as the ache increased without the pressure. Then larger fingers, warm, slightly callous, were pressing where mine had been.
“Breathe in deep, then let it out slow.”
Luther’s voice was close to my ear, and if I wasn’t having some mental break, I would soak in the nearness. But as it was, I needed to get oxygen into my lungs.
“Easy, Ocean Eyes,” he said. “You’re okay. Now, breathe for me.”
Even in my current state of panic, I wanted to please him. I tried to focus on the earthy scent, mixed with tobacco, the sound of his voice, the way his touch felt against my skin. I pictured the way the corners of his mouth crinkled with his almost smile.
“That’s a good girl,” he coaxed, even closer now.
I was breathing. Deep, like he’d told me to. I continued letting it out slow as the tips of his fingers massaged my temples, giving me relief from the pain that had hit me unexpectedly.
“She’s okay,” he said, and I wasn’t sure if he was telling Jayda or himself. Possibly Locke.
Had they asked?
I couldn’t hear anything but Luther’s breathing, as it seemed to be what I’d centered my concentration on. His breath was minty mixed with that of tobacco. I liked that combination; it was as manly as the earthy scent that wafted from him.
“I pushed a little too hard. That’s on me,” he said.
My eyes opened to meet his. There was remorse, sympathy, and the edginess that was always there in his gaze. It was…it was like that of a predator. Not a sick, twisted human, but an animal. One that knew he was more powerful than the others. It was free of fear, and perhaps that was what made it most intriguing.
“You did good. You remembered your name, a horse. That’s real good, sugar.”
Praise was something I apparently relished. Because every time this man told me I had done good, it released endorphins through my body. That, more than anything else, had eased my pain.
The left corner of his mouth quirked. “We won’t ask anything more today, I swear.”
I managed a nod, and his fingers fell away from my temples.
“Still hurting?” he asked.
I shook my head. No, it was gone as quickly as it had come on.
He appeared pleased by that and settled back in his seat, putting distance between us again. I preferred it when he was close enough to smell. That was weird. I was weird. Had I always been this weird? Or was Luther the only one to draw out this odd behavior from me? I hoped I wasn’t some unstable, crazy person.
“I’ll let Linc know she remembered something else,” Locke said, reminding me he was still here, along with Jayda.
Maui nudged my leg with his head, then did a small whimper, as if he was worried about me. Smiling at his sweet expression, I ran my hand over his soft, fluffy fur, and he laid his head in my lap, the way he had done to Luther earlier.
“No,” Luther replied. “He doesn’t need to know yet. He’ll shoot off questions at her like a goddamn investigator. She doesn’t need that shit. I’ll tell him later.”
“He is going to be pissed if you wait,” Locke replied.
I looked from him to Luther, growing concerned. I didn’t want to be a problem for anyone. Especially Luther.
“I don’t fucking care,” he drawled, then took a drink of his beer. “He’s your boss, boy. Not mine.”
“All right,” Jayda said loudly as she shot up out of her seat. “No need to debate Linc’s reaction and how Luther will handle it since we already know Luther can hold his own with Linc. I’m going to go make Stevie’s favorite cupcakes. She had to go to the dentist today and get a cavity filled. She will need a pick-me-up when she gets home. Lace, why don’t you go to the kitchen with me? I’ll make us a snack too.”