The Intuition - Debra Kayn Page 0,5

big flat-screen TV were ignored because the pile of dirty clothes in the corner of the room kept drawing her gaze. She rubbed her thighs, bothered by the mess. If he picked up the clothes, the room would be perfect.

Looking through the archway into the next room, she could see the edge of a counter—clear of clutter. Why would he leave a mess out in the main room?

Speeder pocketed his phone. "I need to leave."

Startled at the news, she pushed to her feet, prepared to leave, and swayed, holding her head. Hands grabbed her upper arms, holding her steady. She looked up into Speeder's face.

"I don't...." She covered her mouth and pushed away from him. She barely made it to the bathroom before she threw up in the toilet.

Her throat closed as tears rolled unchecked down her cheeks. The beat of her heart echoed in her head, bringing another round of heaving until she had nothing more in her stomach.

Panting through her mouth, she hung her head and closed her eyes. The room kept spinning around her.

"I need to take off," he said behind her.

She refused to open her eyes or answer Speeder. There was no way she could walk somewhere to find help in getting her car fixed or find accommodations at the moment. She couldn't even open her eyes or walk out of the bathroom.

"Stay here." He paused. "I'll be back soon."

She swallowed, listening to Speeder move through the house and then the door shutting in the distance. She sunk to the floor and rolled into a ball, trying to hold herself together.

In the back of her mind, she was aware of living through worse pain in the past. But, she couldn't grasp what injury had caused her the pain.

Speeder had told her she got in an accident in Avery Falls. The town name was unfamiliar to her. But, she knew, deep down, she meant to come here.

That was her last conscious thought.

The next thing she was aware of was being picked up and held in a pair of strong arms. Feigning the ability to move, she let her head fall against the broad chest. Without opening her eyes, she knew it was Speeder.

He'd carried her to his house after the wreck. In his arms, she felt secure and safe.

Speeder lowered her to a soft surface. Her cheek pressed into a pillow. Her whole body sighed in comfort, having not felt any relief since finding herself extracted from the car.

She curled into a ball—her poor car.

How was she supposed to get where she was going without transportation? She needed to get up and take care of her stuff.

Except, she wanted to sleep.

"What's wrong with her?" said a female.

Surprised to know there was someone else in the house, she held her breath. She thought only Speeder lived here.

"She had an accident," said Speeder.

"Is that why her head is all bloody?"

"Yeah."

"When is she leaving?"

"I don't know."

"She can't stay here."

"She can stay."

"Why?" The female sounded young.

"Let's leave her alone to sleep." Speeder's voice faded as if he was walking away. "I want you to do your homework and any of the assignments the school sent home for you while you're grounded and then grab something to eat. Lights out at nine o'clock from now on until I can see you're making changes in your behavior."

"Whatever."

Click.

At the sound of the door shutting, she opened her eyes. He'd put her in a bedroom.

Inhaling deeply, the rugged scent of Speeder filled her nostrils, warming her chest. She'd recognize the smell anywhere. When he'd picked her up from the wreck, the musty combination of leather, pine trees, and testosterone was heady enough to disorient her.

Without lifting her head, she studied the room. There were no pictures on the wall. There were more clothes stacked on top of the dresser than there were drawers to fit everything.

Bunching up the bedspread under her chin, she exhaled to ease the tightness of her chest. There were no signs of a woman living in the house. Even in the living room, there were no extra pair of shoes or a woman's jacket. If the female with him were younger, she'd expect games or the wayward toy on the floor.

The doorhandle clicked. She slammed her eyelids closed and held still. She could sense Speeder in the room without looking. For a man his size, he was quiet as if he'd taken off his big, heavy boots and walked around in his socks.

Several minutes passed, and he continued standing in the