Page 26 of Hunted Temptation
ELODIE
We pass through towns,and then we pass through states. Everything is a blur, and I’m sure I should be feeling a myriad of emotions. But there is only one that flows throughout my entire body, and that is—hope.
I shouldn’t be happy about this. I shouldn’t be excited about what’s to come. But I am. That is exactly how I feel. Excitement and happiness rolled into a big ball of hope. Closing my eyes, I fall asleep again, which seems to be my way on this trip.
Sleep fuels me and heals me all at the same time.
When the car stops, I open my eyes, turning my head to look over at him, over at happiness. I’m sure that just cements the Stockholm Syndrome thing I have going on. I don’t mind it, though. Instead, I smile at him.
He’s beautiful.
Light-brown hair, blue eyes, tall and muscular. So muscular. I’ve seen him without a shirt, and my god, it’s beyond sexy. Any woman would feel the same way, I’m certain.
Woman.
I’ve never thought of myself as a woman before.
I mean, I’m only eighteen, so I guess some people wouldn’t consider me that. But when I look at this man, I feel like one. At least, what I think a woman would feel like. I don’t really know any who weren’t my teachers or school administration. I never had friends, never had a mother or mentors. I’ve never had anyone.
“Hungry?” he asks.
My lips twitch into a smirk as I roll my head to the side, my eyes focusing on his blue ones before I speak.
“You eat a lot,” I whisper.
My voice is raspy from sleep. He chuckles. “Not really. I mean, maybe, but I’m more worried about you.”
My body suddenly jerks, and I sit up straight, leaning over slightly as I continue to watch him. “Worried about me?”
“Worried about you,” he confirms. I watch him for a moment, confused at why he’s saying he’s worried about me, and then he clarifies. “You’re gorgeous, but you’re thin,” he states.
I wince at his words, and my gaze flicks down to my lap. I know I’m thin. Not only did my father want me that way, but my nerves were always so shot that food was the last thing on my mind most of the time.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
Instantly, I feel his fingers on my chin. He pinches me there, gently lifting my head, then guiding it toward his. My eyes meet his, and he holds my gaze for a moment. We stare at one another in silence, then he leans forward, closing his eyes before he presses his forehead against mine.
“Never be sorry, Goldie. I just want you to be happy.”
I don’t tell him that I am happy. Right here. Right now. Sitting beside him, feeling his breath on my face, having him so close to me… I’m happy.
Chapter Ten
ELODIE
“This isthe last night in a motel,” Vaughn announces as he flops down on the queen-size bed near the door.
I’ve noticed that he always takes the bed near the door. I’m pretty sure it’s for safety reasons, but I can’t deny that it causes my belly to flutter every time he does it. He’s protecting me, although he’s said that I don’t need it. That nothing is going to be traced to me, that nobody is going to come looking for me.
I still don’t see how that’s possible, but I don’t bother trying to ask him about it again, either. He’s said what he’s said, and that is that. In the few days I’ve known Vaughn, I can tell that when he speaks, he expects you to listen, to understand, and to let it go.
“And then?” I ask.
“And then you’ll stay at my place for a while.”
That is that.
I don’t bother asking anything else right now. Instead, I excuse myself to the bathroom and take a long, hot shower, washing my hair and shaving my legs. I don’t know what it isabout doing an everything shower after a long day of travel, but it feels amazing.
