Page 34 of Paradox
For a moment, I think he might hit me, but then something flickers in his eyes—hurt? Guilt, maybe? But it's short lived.
"Fuck this." Before I can react, his arms are around me. Sleeping bag and all, he hoists me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing.
"Put me down!" I scream, thrashing wildly. My fists pummel his back, but it's like hitting a brick wall. "Eden, I swear to God—"
"Shut up!" He tightens his grip.
I kick harder, twisting in the confines of the sleeping bag. "I hate you! Let go of me. Stop acting like a neanderthal!”
"Keep squirming, little man, and I’ll lock your ass in the back of my truck."
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Try me," he threatens—stepping out into the blizzard.
The wind steals my breath as icy fingers claw at my exposed skin.
I shut my eyes and bury my face against Eden’s back, his body heat seeping through the fabric.
It feels like an eternity before we burst into the cabin.
Eden dumps me unceremoniously onto the floor, and I land with a soft thud; still cocooned in the sleeping bag.
Silence falls, broken only by our ragged breathing.
I wriggle free, and glare up at Eden.
He towers over me, chest heaving, snowflakes melting in his dark hair.
Our eyes lock, and neither of us move.
I want to look away, though I can’t. Those stormy eyes are holding me captive, and for a second, I glimpse something beneath the anger.
“My book!” I gasp, breaking us both out of the moment as I run to the door.
Eden grabs my wrist and pulls me all the way back to the sofa. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Fuck you!”
“Watch your mouth.”
"No, you watch your... everything!" I spit back, gesturing wildly like a madman. "My book is out there."
"It's just a damn book."
I lunge forward, fists clenching at my sides. "It's not just a book! It's... It's the only thing I have." My voice breaks, and I swallow hard against the lump in my throat.
"You ungrateful little shit. I just saved your life, and you're bitching about a book?"
"I didn't ask you to save me!"
“Please!” Eden barks out a harsh laugh. “You were practically begging for me to carry you out of there.”
“I was not.”
“So you weren’t clinging to my back?”
“I didn’t ask for help.”
