AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Slowly, she relaxed, and I kept up my light caresses until I was certain she was asleep.
I mulled over what had just occurred. In her nightmare, Andy killed me. She was screaming for me, not herself. She feared for my safety more than her own.
Which meant she felt this draw as strongly as I did. It had been instant between us.
Something I didn’t believe would ever happen to me.
I tried not to groan when I thought of what all my old bosses would have to say about this.
Chip off the old block. Following in our footsteps.Other such catchy phrases came to mind.
They were going to have a field day with this when I told them.
And they were going to find out soon. I needed as much advice as I could get.
* * *
Raven was quiet and withdrawn in the morning. She sipped a little coffee, pushed away the plate that had toast on it for her, and barely spoke. She didn’t meet my eyes.
“Raven.”
Finally, she lifted her pretty eyes to mine, the green dull and muted today. She was pale and looked as exhausted as I felt. She had only slept in short periods, waking with a start, anxious and worried. I hadn’t slept at all, worried and concerned about her.
“Can you call in sick?”
“No, it’s too late.”
“I could send Egan in. I bet he’d do great with a roomful of kids. By lunch, they’d all know how to build a bomb,” I said with a smile, hoping she would laugh.
Her lips quirked. “Probably not a good idea.”
“Andy can’t get to you. I’ll walk you into the school and pick you up later. I’ll have someone watch the building. I already contacted Tracey and told her.”
“How?”
“I called her husband, and he handed her the phone. I explained what needed to happen and gave her the heads-up about my plans. Mike was off, so he is going to sit on the school for me. She feels better knowing he is around. The kids are used to seeing him on occasion so no one will ask, and I’ll feel better.”
“I see.”
I studied her. “If that’s all right with you.”
“Do I really have any choice?”
“You could stay here today.”
“So Andy wins? I have to hide?” She shook her head. “I hate that I have to be watched. That my personal life is impacting so many people. I justhateit.”
“We all care about you, Raven. Your boss wants to help. So does her husband. And Egan.” I paused, reaching over to clasp her hand. “And me. Especially me.”
“I bet you wish you’d stayed home on Sunday. That I’d run into the bar and kissed someone else.”
“Not in a million years. You were supposed to kiss me. I firmly believe that. And I’m going to look after you. If you allow that.”
She opened her mouth to speak, and I smiled. “Yes, Raven, I have people to look after me too. We’ll both be safe, all right?”
She blew out a long breath. “Okay.”
I pushed her plate closer. “One piece. Eat one piece. Please.”
