Page 14 of Marks of Rebellion
Hunter's muscles could crush me in a second.
Oh my gosh, his muscles are lickable.
What is wrong with me?
He places his hand on top of mine, which is over my heart. "Vanessa, are you okay?"
Why can't I just be normal? How I used to be?
I nod, but tears roll down my cheeks.
He tightens his hold around me. I should push him away, but he feels safe, and I haven't felt safe in so long.
"You've been through a lot. Have you had panic attacks before?" His voice is full of concern.
I keep nodding.
"Let's just breathe for a few minutes, Flower."
Flower. Why did he call me that?
That's probably what he calls all women.Disappointment is something I haven't felt in months, but it spirals in my gut at the notion of him calling any other woman Flower.
I sink farther into his arms and the rhythm of his chest.
At some point, he slides his hands to my neck and gives me a massage. "I'm not hurting you, am I?"
"No."
"You're from Belize?"
"Since I was ten. I moved from Brazil."
"You're Brazilian?"
"Technically. I've lived here longer than I lived in Brazil, so I consider myself more Belizean."
He kneads my neck. "Do you speak Portuguese?"
"Yes. Spanish, too. They are similar languages."
"Say something to me in Portuguese."
"Why?"
"Just grant me my wish."
I scoff. "You should set your bar a little higher for wishes."
He chuckles. "I'm waiting."
"Obrigado por me resgatar."
"Now, tell me what you said."
"Thank you for rescuing me."
"How do I say you're welcome?"
