Page 173 of Nobody's Girl

I can’t let him do that, so I frown. “I’m not sure what you mean by that. My parents may not have let you in on the fact I have a boyfriend. It’s serious. I’m moving to Texas with him in about two weeks.”

Something flashes in those deep green eyes as he moves his hand away from me.

Was that anger?

“They’ve told me.” His words are soft, unlike the look his eyes had for a split second. “By the way, where is he?”

I wish I knew.

“Busy, I guess.” My heart thumps hard against my chest. This is also brought to his attention as the machine’s beeps stagger a bit before they return to normal.

Damn, I’m glad we don’t have to wear one of these things in our daily lives. Nothing would be left to the imagination.

The hand he runs over my cheek makes my stomach clench and my heart race.

Damn machine!

“Alyssa, if you were mine, je ne ferais jamais vous laisser seul. It’s a fact that he hasn’t contacted you since yesterday. Is it not?”

How is he aware of that? I’ve told no one but Laura.

I pull his hand away from my cheek. It’s very distracting. “First thing, what did you say to me? The use of English is probably a much better idea if you’d like me to be able to hold a conversation with you. Although it sounds gorgeous, for all I know, you’ve just told me I look fat in this awful hospital gown. Next thing, how do you know how long it’s been since I talked to Kyle?”

Standing abruptly, he turns away. “So that’s his name.”

What the hell is it with this guy? He’s awfully dramatic. Is this how all the people from New Orleans act?

“Yes, that’s my boyfriend’s name. So how about answering my questions?”

Turning back to me, his eyes burn into mine. “What I said was that I would never leave you alone. The other thing you asked was told to me by the girl who came to see you while you were still unconscious. She said you must’ve been distracted by your boyfriend’s disappearance since you hadn’t talked to him since yesterday. I think she told me her name was Lauren. Your mother told her you were here.”

“Laura, her name’s Laura. Is she still here?”

“She had to leave. It got late,” he says as he takes a seat on my bed again. “It’s after midnight. You were out for a long time. I was very worried.”

Really? I don’t see how.

“Why? I mean, you don’t know me?”

“Must you know a person to worry about their health?” His question makes me feel like an ass for asking him such a thing.

In an attempt to be more cordial, I say, “Sorry. I’m crabby, I guess. You’re so nice and must be very compassionate. It’s rude of me to ask you such questions. So what has you visiting our tiny town?”

Hesitant, he finally answers. “I’m on my way to Los Angeles and thought it would be nice to take some time here to visit your family. Our parents were very close. I’m curious about the people my parents care so much for.”

The way his eyes move slowly around the room makes him appear distracted. “What are you going to Los Angeles for?”

My voice gets his attention and he looks back at me. Trailing his fingers lightly over my arm, leaving it tingling, he says, “Just business. Nothing worth talking about.”

I should make him stop touching me. Yet the words refuse to come out. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s as if electricity flows between us in a way I could’ve never imagined.

Is it weird to feel like you know someone you’ve just met?

CHAPTER 10

EDEN

Beautiful even in her sleep, my eyes refuse to leave her face. No sleep will find me on this night as I can at long last gaze upon her.