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I see his eyes flick over in my direction. “Clever girl.”
Those two syllables bounce across my skin.
My fingers tighten around the blanket, pulling it even higher.
I can’t find this man attractive.
I really can not.
My stomach clenches and my stupid brain takes this moment to remind me that I probably look like a disheveled mess.
Not that it matters. I don’t need this intruder to think I’m sexy. In fact it’s probably better that he doesn’t. It’s probably better that I have popcorn breath and a ponytail that needs adjusting. And bangs that are going every which way since they got damp when I washed the makeup off my face before sitting down to watch my favorite movie for the four-hundredth time.
The fingers near my shoulder tap against the backrest, keeping in time with the characters on TV as they skip down the road.
This has got to be the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to me.
A hot as hell man walks in through my second story balcony. Strolls through my apartment with a confidence I can only dream of having. Flashes me a glimpse of his gun. Then settles in to eat my popcorn.
And… is he humming?
Sweet Mother Mary, he’s humming.
With careful, small movements, I push myself further into the corner. Trying to add any amount of distance I can between us.
I want to ask his name. Ask him what he’s running from. But I feel like the less knowledge I have, the better.
Except you’ve seen his face,my inner voice unhelpfully reminds me.
Not knowing what else to do, I stare at his profile. Watching the way the light dances off his eyes. The way his mouth opens and closes around handfuls of popcorn. The way his shoulders seem relaxed.
He seems so at ease. So… comfortable.
My lids lower in a slow blink and I force them wide.
I can’t make out the clock on the microwave from here, but I know it’s past my bedtime. I didn’t intend on staying up for the entire film because waking up at five a.m. every weekday means I go to bed early. And I haven’t been sleeping well this week. Hell, I haven’t been sleeping well the past twenty-seven years.
He chews another mouthful, and I watch the movement of his Adam’s apple as he swallows.
Maybe this really is all a dream.
Maybe I’m already in bed, sound asleep.
CHAPTER3
Nero
I can senseher eyes closing.
Sense her muscles loosening as sleep pulls her consciousness away from me and the situation I’ve put her in.
And it makes me furious.
This soft creature shouldn’t let her guard down. Not around a stranger.
Not around me.
My fists start to clench, but I stop the urge. I’m in control.
