This is it. The end.
Kieron ignores the farmer’s warnings not to move, and catches me as I fall.
“Liora, what’s happening…are you hurt?” His eyes fill with worried confusion.
“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry…please don’t hate me…please, Kieron, I’m so sorry…” I whimper.
“I could never hate you…Everything will be okay,” he whispers.
The last thing I feel is his grip tightening around me; the last thing I see is the panic in his eyes before everything goes black.
Chapter 11. Lucky
Those eyes. Those beautiful, clear, shimmering-blue eyes I want to lose myself in…are two inches from mine.
Again.
Am I dreaming? I blink rapidly several times. He’s still here, smiling down on me. But that’s not all—his arms are wrapped around my body.
Again.
Is someone yelling?
I automatically smile back at his sexy grin. I am awake. My instincts tell me we’re outside, but my eyes stay locked on Kieron’s.
“Hello,” he whispers.
“Hi.”
Then it registers. He’s holding me in his arms as if She’s fallen and he’s caught her. Or as if I’ve interrupted their private moment. A very intimate moment.
“Did I come at a bad time?” I ask, my blood stirring hot and fast. The pleasure of waking in his arms mixes incompatibly with the knowledge that those arms were first wrapped around her.
He cocks an eyebrow, but doesn’t loosen his grip.
“Actually, your timing is perfect.” He dramatically swings me upright, his arm still possessively around my waist as I glance around.
“So, care to fill me in on what’s going on? And why is that Sapie yelling?” I point to the old man waving a silly gun at us. Ugh, how tacky. Guns are so pathetic. Toys for the feeble.
“Long story. I’ll tell you everything….”
“I told you to be still and hush up!” the old man screams frantically.
Giving Kieron a puzzled look, I gently pull away from his embrace and walk toward the man. “Is he being serious right now?”
Kieron laughs. “I’m afraid so.”
“I’ve called the police and they’re comin’, and when they get here I’m gonna press charges and make dang sure the two of you…”
“Silence.”
The man freezes. I move closer and can see the rage in his twisted expression. How desperately he wants to yell at us. But of course, now he can’t. I narrow my eyes as I examine the rifle pointed at us.
“That could have hurt her,” I say with displeasure.
Kieron just shrugs. “Nah, I would have blasted it from him if he tried to use it.”
“Why didn’t you just do that in the first place?” I ask. “Why put her—us—at risk?”
“She was safe. I promise. I couldn’t...” He pauses.
I spin around to face him. “Couldn’t what?” Why does he look so guilty?
He sighs. “I couldn’t show her…anything. I was still trying to figure out what was happening with her…with us…” He actually stammers his words. My eyes narrow again.
“Kieron, what is going on?” My anger is fueled by mounting jealousy. As pleasant as it was to awaken in Kieron’s embrace, now I wonder exactly what it is I’ve awakened to.
He sighs again. “It’s a long story. And I have some questions of my own. Let’s get out of here and get some drinks. My truck is back there…”
“No. You go—I hate automobiles. I’ll run.”
I finally notice what I’m wearing and my heart sinks. With horror I examine the unfamiliar garments. These are his clothes…Did Kieron and Liora…did they actually…?
“I gave those to her to wear earlier. She got wet and needed something dry,” he says, answering my unspoken question.
I raise my eyes to his. The way he speaks of her…I can hear the affection in his voice.
It sickens me.
“Well, she may not have any problems wearing clothes fit for an elephant, but no way am I wearing this crap.”
Angrily, I pull off her hideous boots and fling them far out of sight. Then I rip off the baggy sweatpants and throw them at Kieron. He catches them and smirks.
“Mind if I have my sweatshirt back, too?”
“Gladly.”
I yank it off and throw it in his face. What do I care if I’m wearing only a black bra and boy-shorts? Much easier to move around in, and cooler, too. And I want to get the hell out of here right now.
“Please…Liora…” Kieron realizes his mistake the second he makes it, but I don’t care.
“I’m Lucky, you half-witted moron. If you want to see your little sweetheart, you’re gonna have to wait till tomorrow.”