Set Me Free (A Fugitive #2)(4)

"It's okay, Zach." She touched his arm and his eyes popped open. "Yes, I was mad. You'd broken my trust, but that was forgivable. I mean, I'd broken yours, right?"

His nod was miniscule.

Tears welled in her eyes, but she sniffed them away before they could spill. "I made it all the way to San Diego, you know." She shook her head with a wry chuckle. "Mexico. That was my plan, but I just couldn't do it. I couldn't stop thinking about you. I hated the idea that you were mad with me or that I'd hurt you." She drew in a shaky breath. "I know it's selfish to be back. I could be putting you in danger, but I just had to see you again."

"Hey." Zach's insides crumpled in time with her expression. Racing around the counter, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. She swiveled on the stool and buried her face into his chest.

"I'm so over hiding out in the woods and eating scraps from restaurant trash cans. I just want to be normal, Zach. I don't want to steal or con or do any of that stuff anymore. I just want to live." She pulled away, tears turning her eyes to a vibrant blue. "And I want to be with you."

Her soft words filled Zach with an overwhelming warmth. Any hurt he'd felt before fled. She belonged in his arms and he wanted to keep her there forever, if possible.

"I'll keep you safe, Dan--Lu--" He chuckled. "What do I call you now? Dani...Lucy?"

Her smile was tentative. "I haven't been called Lucy since the day my parents died...but I kind of like the way it sounds on your lips."

"What, you mean these lips?" Zach leaned forward with a grin, pressing his mouth against hers. She leaned into him with a muted giggle that soon morphed into a soft moan. Her eyelids fluttered closed as she gripped his t-shirt and pressed her body against his. He ran his hand over her shoulders and held the back of her neck, gliding his tongue along her bottom lip. She opened up to him, their tongues dancing together, the familiarity of the move sparking a passion within both of them.

Lucy let out another soft moan, but it was cut short by a knock at the front door. She jerked away from him, her eyes large and fearful.

"It's okay." Zach soothed, rubbing her shoulder gently. "It'll be okay."

He reluctantly shifted away from her and approached the door, hoping that his words were in fact true.





Chapter 3





LUCY





My heart was beating so fast and loud I could hear it thrumming in my eardrums. Was it him? Had he found me already?

The thought was ridiculous. I had been safe for the last few months in Danville. Running would not have disrupted that equilibrium, unless Zach's uncle had asked the wrong questions already. My insides froze as I waited for Zach to open the front door.

Coming back was a stupid idea. What was I thinking? So I missed Zach, boo hoo! I'd probably just sentenced him to death. I stood from the stool, ready to split. It didn't matter that I'd probably break his heart again. At least I would keep him alive.

I gripped the counter top, willing my body to move for the back door, but my feet were rooted to the spot. I couldn't leave him.

Damn it, Zach! Why?

The thrumming in my head turned into a low vibration as the door creaked open.

"Oh, hey. What are you guys doing here?"

"Duh! We came to show you our shopping."

Jaeda.

The sound of her chipper voice brought an instant smile to my lips. I didn't realize how much I'd missed her. Man, she probably hated me. My knuckles were white as I listened to her rustle around Zach and spot me standing in the kitchen.

"Holy shit!" The bags of shopping in her hand dropped to the floor as Liesl came up behind her.

"Jaeda, do you really have to swear like that? It sounds so..." Liesl, the dark haired beauty who had always been so kind to me, looked pale as she drank me in. Her dark brown eyes were at first hard, but ever so slowly softened at the edges.

This should have made me relax, but Jaeda's hard glare was making it impossible. Okay, so she obviously hated me for hurting her friend. Guilt surged within me as I imagined how Zach must have moped around his friends over the last month.

Zach gave me a sweet smile from behind them, his eyebrows puckering with sympathy. My lips quivered with a grin as I crossed my arms, unsure what to say.

"Is it just you two then?" Zach cleared his throat, looking slightly nervous. He was probably worried about Elliot.

Oh crap, Elliot, Zach's best friend. The guy was like a Doberman when it came to protecting his friends. If Jaeda looked ready to pummel me, Elliot's death-stare would be a total annihilation. I hadn't thought this through! Coming back was such a huge mistake.

"The guys are on their way," Liesl whispered, her eyes still trained on me as she flicked her thumb toward the door.

My heart rate tripled as I gripped my biceps, escape plans flying through my brain. But I didn't have time to implement any of them, because the awkward silence was filled by AJ's booming voice.

"Where's my lover then?" His large frame bustled through the door. Pushing past Zach, he towered over his petite girlfriend and was ready to dip her back for an elaborate kiss when he spotted me. Standing Liesl upright again, he looked me over with his large eyes and whispered, "Holy shit."