Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Dammit, Skylar.” I shook her. “Wake up!”
There was no response. I pressed my mouth against hers, blowing warm air into her mouth. “Keep breathing, baby. Breathe for me,” I urged, rubbing my hands over her arms and torso, trying to stimulate some warmth. A long shudder ran through her, and I pulled her against me, talking into her ear. “Skylar, I need you to hold on to me so I can drive us back. Please, Kitten. I need your help. I can’t get us back if you don’t help me.”
Her head bobbed, and I sat down in front of her. Turning my head, I spoke loudly. “Hold on to me, Skylar. As hard as you can. Grip the material.” I leaned back into her, grabbing her arms and wrapping them around my waist. “You can do this, Skylar. Don’t you fucking give up on me. Don’t you fucking dare.”
Her head pushed into my back, and her hands flexed, finding purchase on my coat. The grip was loose, but it was enough. I was hopeful she would stay upright.
When I leaned forward over the handlebars, she leaned with me. “Hold tight!” I yelled, and then we were off, skimming over the snow, heading toward the warmth of the house.
I only hoped it wasn’t too late.
Chapter 9
Cian
I deposited Skylar’s limp form on my bed, then went to the kitchen. Sean was sitting up, his head leaning against the wall.
I hunched down beside him. “You okay?”
He opened his bleary eyes, his voice heavy with sleep. “I think…she may…have slipped something…into the soup.”
I helped him to his feet, staggering under his unsteady weight. “No shit, Sherlock,” I grunted as I walked with him. “Told you she was up to something.”
I sat him on the bed in his room and kneeled in front of him. “Stay awake, Sean. I need you. She’s freezing cold and hurt.”
He frowned, squinting at me. “Warm…warm her up…slowly.”
“How?”
“Shower. Lukewarm.” He sighed heavily. “Then warmer.”
“Okay.”
“Hurt?”
“She hit her head. The cold stopped the bleeding, though.”
“Clean it. Keep checking her. Maybe…concussion…can’t let her be alone…”
“I will.”
“Have to sleep,” he mumbled, and then he was out. I made sure he was comfortable on the bed, then staggered back to my room to help Skylar.
I sat down on the bed, still feeling the effects of the drugs she used. The only saving grace was I hadn’t consumed as much of the soup as Sean had. Otherwise, we’d all be screwed. I stood, looking down at Skylar. She looked so innocent with her eyes shut and unconscious. Anger started to build when I thought of how wrong this could have gone. All three of us might be dead.
I tried to be gentle as I pulled her off the bed and carried her cold body into the bathroom, deciding anger was an effective antidote to the drugs, probably as good as sleep was. I peeled off her jacket and shoes, growing even angrier as I felt the icy temperature of her skin. Growling, I tore off her shirt and pants, not caring when the seams wrenched apart under my fisted hands. I left her underwear in place, lifting her into the tub and letting the lukewarm water pour over her as I yanked off my own clothes. I stepped in with her and pulled her up against my chest, holding her under the spray. She shivered and shook, beginning to fight me, and I tightened my hold. “No, Skylar. You have to do this. You’ll feel better. I promise,” I crooned into her ear as I ran my hands over her. Up and down her arms and legs, adjusting the temperature slowly until it was warm and she had stopped shuddering. I pressed the plug down and allowed the warm water to rise in the tub around us. Skylar became limp again, leaning heavily into my chest.
“Why, Kitten?” I murmured. “I was trying so hard to keep you safe. Why did you have to run from me?”
The slow drip of the faucet was the only sound. I leaned back, trying to gather my strength. I needed to get us out of the tub, get Skylar dried off and into bed, then I could relax. We were all going to sleep for a while. I had already decided Skylar would be staying with me in my bed so I would be able to keep an eye on her. Not only did I have to make sure she didn’t wake up and try to take off again, I had to check her head wound.
I exhaled a deep rush of air, my chest contracting and shifting Skylar. She stirred a little and then sank back into the warm water against me.
Two soft words escaped her mouth. So soft, I almost missed them.
“I’m sorry.”
Skylar
I was warm. The mattress beneath me was perfect. Plush but supportive. The blankets were soft, and they smelled so good. The pillow was a little hard, though. And slightly itchy—it tickled my cheek. It also made a noise. Thump. Thump. Thump. A steady, unending beat under my ear. Realizing where I was, I peeled open my eyes.