Page 112 of Lucky's Trouble

My mouth opens wide, and I scream with everything in me. This time, I hear my anguished cry. It’s like no sound I’ve ever heard myself make, coming from somewhere so deep inside, it must’ve been trapped down there for years. Since I was a child, if I had to guess. It goes on and on until there’s no air left in my lungs.

My limbs suddenly work, and I use them to kick and fight.

Suddenly, there’s someone heavy on top of me, pinning my hands above my head and wrapping their feet under my legs to stop me from thrashing. They’re immovable, though I don’t stop trying.

“Tinleigh!” Lucky’s voice is sharp, cutting through the haze. “It’s a nightmare, baby. Just a nightmare. You’re okay.”

I blink my eyes open, trying to adjust as my chest heaves and my limbs go lax. It must be early morning because a hint of sunlight shines through the undressed window. Staring back at me with lips pressed tightly together and a wrinkled brow is Lucky. A knock sounds right before the door cracks open, drawing our attention away from each other.

“Everything okay?” Cy asks hesitantly. “We just heard a scream.”

“It’s fine.” Lucky flops onto his back, fingers digging into his eyes.

“I’m sorry. I had a nightmare,” I whisper.

“Figured.”

“I didn’t mean to wake everyone.” My throat clogs.

“Don’t worry about none of that, little lady. Just had to make sure.”

“Thanks, Prez,” Lucky mutters.

The door closes, and I die a little inside. It felt so real.

“Nearly gave me a fuckin’ heart attack,” Lucky says, clutching his chest.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” he mutters. “Just scared the shit out of me. Fuckin’ hell, if I never hear you make that sound again, it’ll be too soon.”

As traumatic as the nightmare was, something inside me feels different. Calmer, almost. That constant bouncy feeling in my stomach that always kept me on alert isn’t quite as bouncy. It’s strange because I don’t ever remember a time when it wasn’t there. The accompanying pressure in my chest has eased up, too.

I might’ve woken up the whole house and scared Lucky shitless, but I feel incredible. I’m free. A giggle escapes. I slap a hand over my mouth, knowing how inappropriate it is to laugh when he’s over there trying to regain control of his bowels, but I can’t help it.

“Why are you laughing?” He peers under the covers. “Pretty sure I pissed myself.”

“Poor baby.” Moving closer, I throw my leg over his hips to straddle him. My bare sex meets the wiry hair on his pelvis. “How can I make it up to you?”

“Tinleigh,” he says in a low, warning tone.

“Lucky,” I mimic, moving lower until I feel his semi-hard cock. It doesn’t matter what’s going on around this man; he’s at some degree of hardness twenty-four hours a day. It might be a medical condition.

He places his hands on my hips and draws his legs up a little, stopping me. “Not two seconds ago, you were trying to beat me to a pulp and screaming like the devil. I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Lucky?”

“What?”

“I’m free,” I say with the most genuine smile I’ve ever felt.

“I’m so fuckin’ confused. You know I’m not a morning person. Help me catch up.” His adorable, sleepy expression is trying so hard.

“I’m free,” I repeat.

“Heard that. Still don’t know what it means.”

“Neal’s dead, right?”

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