Page 19 of Blood
My eyes search the dark room, fear consuming me.I can do this.
Thunder rumbles again.I can’t do this.Ripping the covers back, I rush across the room and out into the hall. I don’t stop until I’m outside Kaleb’s bedroom, my fist raised.
Something stops me.
The corner of my lip disappears between my teeth.Maybe Shelby will cuddle with me?My arm drops. Will he even let me? Things between us have been . . . weird lately. After the whole driving his car into a tree thing last year, Kaleb got . . . stricter. Black and white, no room for gray.
My right hand drifts back to touch my ass.
He stopped being as playful, and I lost my partner in crime, at least for a while. For the past few months, he’s been my Kaleb again. Strict but fair. I rarely got in trouble because he was usually helping me. A year ago, I wouldn’t debate this. I’d have already been in his room.
Something sad settles in my stomach, so my feet turn to go to the other bedroom, but I don’t go more than a few steps. I don’t want to cuddle with Shelby. I want Kaleb.
Noise outside makes my feet move before my brain can argue again.
“Kaleb,” I whisper into the dark room.
Silence follows.
“Kaleb,” I call a little louder, poking my head inside.
My knuckle knocks against the slightly ajar wooden door.
He shoots up in bed, the covers pooling at his hips. My eyes roam his bare chest without permission.
Swallowing hard, I tear my eyes away and meet his dazed stare.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s thundering,” I offer as if it explains everything.
I guess it does because Kaleb’s shoulders sag.
“Go back to sleep, Sam,” he tells me, his words muffled as he scrubs his face.
“I want to sleep in here,” I whine.
“No.” He shakes his head.
“Kaleb, I’m scared,” I plead. I’m not above begging.
“This house is safe. You cannot sleep in here, Samantha.”
My throat catches, and I search for something that will convince him. Anything. “I’ll get the next spider you have?” I offer.
“I’m not afraid of spiders. That’s Michael.” He sighs, lying back down.
“Oh.” My shoulders sag. That’s all I have.
I stand in the open doorway, watching as he settles with his right arm bent behind his head.
He’s really going to send me away.
“Kaleb.” It comes out croaked.
A heavy sigh expands his chest, drawing my attention again. Who knew a man who eats as much as Kaleb could have that many abs?
“I swear to fucking God, woman. You’ll be the death of me.”
