She belatedly realized the owners of this unit might decide to retrieve their belongings, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. She had much bigger problems than surprising a bunch of people looking to collect their things. One of them had his arm locked around her while he slept.
Her stomach rumbled. She’d shared some chicken tenders with her friends at the bar, but that was a day or two, or maybe three ago. It was a lot of running ago, and her belly was letting her know it did not approve of this new fasting and exercise thing.
She tried to edge out from Lucien’s arms, but they clamped around her. She bit back a sigh of frustration; she wanted free of him and this place. Out of the many things she wanted, mostly she wanted her old life back, but that life was gone. Somehow, she would have to figure out what her new life entailed.
However, she didn’t have to worry about that until they were free of the city. Then she could start to panic about how she would feed, clothe, and house herself. Until then, she would focus on making sure she stayed breathing.
When she tried to inch free again, Lucien growled, and she froze.
“Stay,” he murmured.
“I’m not a dog!”
Lucien was very aware she wasn’t a dog. Now that the hunger tearing him apart had eased, the effects of the drugs and alcohol were fading, and he’d truly slept for the first time in a month, he felt healthier and more clearheaded than he had in weeks.
And that clear head had left him with one realization: Callie was the most enticing woman he’d ever held in his arms, and he never wanted to let her go.
Unable to stop himself, he leaned closer and inhaled the scent of pomegranates on her. The sweet aroma was an inherent part of her, and he relished the smell as it filled his nostrils.
Her curvy body, nestled against his, was starting to awaken another hunger. He shifted so she wouldn’t feel his growing arousal. He was aware of her delicious scent, but he was also aware of his foul odor, and now was not the time or place to try making a move on her.
He would learn more about this woman, and he would enjoy memorizing every inch of her lush curves, but he doubted she was eager to be molested by a man who stunk so bad he could make a skunk turn tail and run.
Reluctantly, he eased his grip on her, and she slipped from his arms. He heard her shuffling footsteps before she collided with a stack of boxes and cursed. The boxes rattled, and he could picture her steadying them as the noise died down.
“What are you doing?” he asked as he pushed himself up on the mattress.
“Trying to find the door. I need to know what time it is.”
“I’ll get it. Stay where you are before you attract attention.”
Lucien rose and stepped off the mattress. With no light penetrating the interior of the unit, he couldn’t see, but his instincts guided him to the door. Kneeling, he grasped the bottom of the door and cracked it open enough to reveal the night beyond. The glow of a nearby halogen lamp set high on a post crept inside.
He closed the door again. “It’s nighttime.”
“I hate this darkness.” She’d give anything to see her hand in front of her face.
“We’ll move on in the morning.”
“Will they find us here?”
He almost told her no, but the word froze on his tongue. He didn’t want her to worry, but he couldn’t lie to her. “Probably not.”
“But there’s a possibility?”
“Yes.”
Callie sank to the floor. The cold concrete against her ass drained what little heat remained in her body. She’d prefer not to get closer to him, but unable to take the cold, she crawled in the direction of the mattress. When her hand caught the corner, she pulled herself onto it and perched on the edge.
“I’m a lot stronger now,” he said. “If they find us, it will be a much different battle.”
And if Yannis found them here, he would destroy his brother. Lucien would joyfully tear the bastard apart for what he’d done, and he would ensure Yannisneverwalked the earth again.
Memories of the past almost overwhelmed him, but he buried them once more. He couldn’t allow himself to become infuriated while trapped in this place. It wouldnothelp him earn her trust, and though he’d never tried to earn the trust of a human before, he wanted hers.
He settled onto the mattress beside her. They didn’t touch, but they were so close, her presence warmed his side and her smell engulfed him.
“You’re only one against many,” she said.
