Page 32 of Beyond the Blue Horizon
Me
Going to hit the shower. Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything. Mean it, what I said. If you’re struggling or in need or just fucking afraid? Then I’m the kind of trouble you want standing by your side. In front of you or behind you or wherever you want me to be.
Now that? That was a promise I could keep.
I finally gave up and was climbing the stairs so I could get into a steaming shower when my phone buzzed again.
Piper
I’m fine, Theo. We’re fine. Please don’t worry about us.
I continued to amble down the hall, passing by the two upstairs bedrooms and into the primary at the end, striding all the way through to the massive bathroom at the back.
I leaned into the stone and glass shower and turned on the showerhead to let it heat up. Waiting for the steam, I held my phone, fingers hovering as I contemplated how to respond before I decided against it.
Arguing would only spook her.
Chase her away.
So instead, I tapped into her contact and switched up her information.
Little Liar.
Wondering if it would be possible to get her to trust me enough to tell me the truth.
I set my phone on the counter, then peeled off my underwear and stepped into the spray.
Wishing that the fiery burn of the pelting water didn’t remind me of the icy fire of her eyes.
This woman who’d knocked something loose inside me when I’d first seen her.
I’d do well to lock it back into place.
FIVE
PIPER
He wantedme to pick wherever I wanted him?
It was a loaded question.
Over me.
Under me.
Everywhere.
I couldn’t stop the visions from slamming me one by one, and I grabbed the plush covers from the bed and pulled them up high so I could press them to my face like it might blot them out.
Keep my foolish brain from marching straight into the ambush that was this man.
His stupidly gorgeous face and his wickedly dangerous body.
My mind raced through the thoughtful things he’d done all while silently delivering a thousand threats, because I was envisioning things that I hadn’t imagined in years.
What it would be like to be peeled apart by a man like him.
Taken.
