Page 21 of Shielding Lexi (Temptation)

Kane shakes his head. “We left it on the dock in your mad dash to leave.”

I roll my eyes and feel the momentary happiness I’d been feeling thinking of cubanos and empanadas swing back into anger. How the fuck is she sick? We left less than two hours ago. Plus, I don’t appreciate the not so veiled barb from myfriendabout the rush.

“How are you guys feeling?” I ask, sure they’ve all been making out all week.

Both Hawk and Kane look at each other and nod.

“Keep an eye on the wheel,” I say, dipping into the cabin. “I’ll be back in a few.”

9

Lexi

We’re a few hours away from the mainland and I know I should be happy to return ‘home’ but I’m not sure how I feel. Where is ‘home?’ If the men are telling the truth about Brick, I don’t wish for my old life back. Maybe that is what’s making me sick: the idea that life isn’t at all what I wish it was. Though, I doubt that’s what’s causing my fever.

The rumble of the boat’s engine does nothing to ease my headache, and neither does the sound of whatever gangster rap they’re listening to on deck.

I can’t seem to regulate my body temperature. I am too hot under the covers or too cold without them. I can’t get comfortable no matter how hard I try. And all I want is a cuddle like the one Hawk and I had the last two nights, or another game of cards with Kane. I feel so safe with them both.

Laying my head down on the pillow, I roll onto my side, holding my arms over my stomach as I swallow hard. The boat’s swishing from side to side, making the nausea worse.

Kane left a few minutes ago, but I’m not sure where he went.

“What’s going on here, Lexi?” It’s Reaper, and he’s behind me. Ugh, I don’t want to turn around. He’s only going to give me some riot list about how I’m faking sick now. I can feel it coming.

“I’m sick,” I say. “Not sea sick, but sick-sick.”

I must look it because he doesn’t question me like I’m expecting.

“I really need to use the bathroom,” I say, trying to shake the fuzziness from my head.

“Come on. I’ll help you,” he says, more calmly than usual. I might even detect a bit of care in his eyes, though I’m not entirely sure what that would look like on him. He wraps a strong arm around my waist, guiding me to the bathroom, and I’m surprised at how gentle he is.

“Leave the door unlocked, Lexi. Block it with your foot. I’ll look the other way.”

He stands guard outside the door as I sit down to pee. I should be embarrassed, but right now, I don’t care. The boat is still rocking, my head is spinning, and my stomach is doing flips.

When I’m ready, I push the door open to let myself out. Reaper’s eyes meet mine, but the boat lurches sideways. As I drop my head and step forward, the door swings back on itself and hits me in the face, smashing my nose across the bridge. The impact sends white hot flashes of pain searing through my head.

My hands fly to protect my face as another wave rocks the boat. I lose my balance and fall forward, but Reaper catches me before I hit the ground. He picks me up and carries me to the bed and all I can hear is a high-pitched sound that grates my ears. My head hurts like crazy, and what is that sound? I block my ears, wishing it would stop. Please make it stop. Fuck.

Reaper wraps his powerful arms around my shoulders, drawing me towards his chest. He holds me close as plump tears of pain roll down my cheeks. My fingers tremble, and crazy thoughts flash through my mind like images on an old-fashioned movie reel. The lights are too bright and what the hell is that noise?

Next thing I know, I’m coughing, spluttering, choking like I’m drowning, clutching at my throat, unable to gulp a breath down, and all I can hear is a high-pitched wail. A keening, desperate sound comes from somewhere far away. Except it isn’t. The horrible sound comes from inside me.

“What the fuck? Calm down, Lexi… you’re okay.” I guess this is his way of comforting me. He repeats the words ‘you’re okay’, over and over, running his hand along my back, soothing me.

Kane and Hawk thunder down the steps.

“What the fuck? What’s wrong with Lexi?” Hawk yells.

Reaper holds a hand up to stop him and says, “She’s fine. She hit her head when that wave hit.” He’s calm and methodical with his speech, being very careful not to alarm anyone. “She won’t stop screaming now. I’m just trying to get her calmed down.”

Kane and Hawk scramble onto the bed next to me, and I’m supported between all three men as I rock back and forth crying.

“Guys, you’re crowding her. Give us some space. I’ve got her. It’s okay.” I’m curled in on myself, and I can’t stop sobbing as Reaper cradles me gently.

Hawk and Kane back off, and Reaper turns back toward them.

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