His brow furrows.“I meant that almost… metaphorically.I did not have arms.”
I sigh.“Right, I'm sorry, that was stupid.”
“It was not stupid,” he says. His hand comes up, his fingertips brushing my jaw.“I do not wish to make you feel that way.”
I pull his hand away, mostly because I can’t think with him touching me so gently. “I’m just not sure what to do.You mentioned that you've seen things happen like this before.”
He grimaces.“I have seen many strange things happen right here in these woods.And I have been made aware of things happening in other places,but nothing like this. Not in any quantifiable way that would help us find a definite solution.I…”His chin wobbles.
I step right up against him and take his face in my hands. “Please, don't cry.”
“I’m sorry.”He sniffles, shakes his head. “I feel useless.It is strange to go from somewhere where you have no real control over anything,not even your own self,to a body where everything is within my control.”He brushes his fingers across my lips gently. “Everything but this.”
I have to look away from him.I can't do this. I can't let this emotion get too big.He doesn't belong here.We both know it.
“Perhaps I do not have to go,” he says.
But even as he says it, I can tell he knows that's not an option. How could he stay here?Looking the way he does...It's not like he can go into town and be part of normal life.
As if the universe is reminding us of how impossible it is, Star gasps and bends, his hand going over his chest.
I wrap myself around him like I can absorb the pain. “Are you okay?”
He nods but he doesn’t speak, like it might hurt too much to.
“Is it the same pain from last night?”
He nods again, refusing to meet my eye.
I knew that wasn’t the end of it. Part of me hoped it was some kind of human pain, nerves or heartburn or something. But now I know it isn’t. This is something worse, I can feel it.
“I’ll figure this out, okay?”I tell him as he straightens again, pain still clear in his eyes. “I’ll put out another blast to the people in my paranormal group.A few people answered, but they want specifics,and I'm afraid to tell anyone about you.”
He nods. “I understand.”
A shiver runs through me.He grasps my shoulders hard,fingers pressing into the puffy fabric of my coat.
“You are cold. We should get you home,” he says.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“I’m going to get in the shower to warm up,” I tell Star as soon as we get home.
He nods but has a distant look on his face as he takes a seat on the couch, like he hasn’t even heard me. I watch him for a moment from the hallway. I feel so helpless.
We both want the same thing, but there’s no way to make it happen.
I turn and head for the bathroom, shutting the door behind me and leaning against it. It’s been two days. Two days since this man fell into my life. And I already feel like we’re eternally connected. Like if he goes back to where he came from, I’ll spend the rest of my life looking up into the sky, wondering if he’s looking back.
I rip my beanie off my head and sigh. This is idiotic. I don’t know him, and he doesn’t know me, and feeling this intensely for someone you’ve known for 48 hours is insane.
I take off my clothes and start up the shower as hot as it’ll go. I like it scalding, even though Mackenzie is always telling me I’m going to destroy my skin.
Under the spray, some of the chill that settled deep in my bones starts to melt away. It feels good, even if only for a moment. I shut my eyes and let it wash over my face.
And then I hear the bathroom door open.
I step out of the spray and wipe the water from my eyes. “Star?” I push the shower curtain aside and all the blood rushes to my face.
