her I would. But where does that leave me? I can’t afford to rent something near her.
I have no money. No apartment. No job. The SF is looking for me, and I’m showing up in the city that had SF members prowling the streets not even a week ago. It’s pure mania.
But I can’t let her go. I know I have to find a way to stay with her and see her again.
All I can hope is that the SF doesn’t catch me in the process.
Chapter 14 – Brianna
We’ve been driving in silence for two hours. It’s been the longest two hours of my life. Never have I felt so physically aware of a man’s presence before. When he’s watching the road, I’ve found myself admiring the swell of his thigh muscles and the width of his fingers.
He’s got huge hands. Manly hands, is what Macy would call them. And his face is utter perfection—deep-set blue eyes, perfectly symmetrical features, firm lips, and a pleasantly rounded nose. His hair is shoulder-length and tangled. Images of heartthrob actors on the big-screen again fill my thoughts. Collin is just as good-looking and sexy as any of them.
Oh poppycock. What have I gotten myself into?
An uneasy breath stifles my lungs. I keep telling myself that my body’s awareness of him is because I can’t trust him. It’s merely my instincts making me hyperaware, because awareness of him will keep me alive.
It has to be that, because anything beyond that is pure lunacy. I cannot be attracted to a murderer. And I will not be attracted to a man who abducted me.
I press my lips firmly together, then scan the horizon. Outside my window the city lights of Phoenix appear. My finger works its way into my mouth again. I’ve never been a nail-biter, but it seems I’ve turned into one during this drive.
I again contemplate what the hell’s going on with me, and I’m really hoping it’s because I hit my head. Because if my actions are truly survival instincts then why did I want to make sure Collin ate earlier? That doesn’t make any sense. Wouldn’t starving him be more logical if I simply wanted to survive?
It was crazy, the compulsion that came over me at that Sonic. Collin had been hungry and on-edge. That shouldn’t have bothered me, but it had. So what did I do? I pulled out my tip money and bought enough food to feed a family. And then I basically force-fed it to him. All because I knew he was hungry.
What is the matter with you, Keller?
It’s nearly ten o’clock when Collin parks at the curb outside of my apartment building. The marigolds and petunias are bright in the streetlight. The sight leaves me paralyzed for a moment. Was it really only last night that I was in this same spot when he abducted me? How has it only been twenty-four hours?
“We’re here.” Collin doesn’t look overly happy after he parallel parks. He turns the car off, his expression grim.
I almost say thanks for the ride but then realize how ridiculous that sounds. “Yeah, we’re here.”
I open my door and get out. I’ll have to grab my purse from the backpack since it has my apartment keys. Without them, I won’t be able to get inside.
When I open the backdoor, I expect Collin to wait in the driver’s seat, but he gets out. A moment later, he’s at my side. “I’ll just make sure you get upstairs safely.”
My entire body goes still. He’s only inches away from me. He’s still dressed in his mismatched clothes—long basketball shorts and a flannel with the sleeves rolled up. The shirt is entirely unbuttoned. I can’t blame him because it’s hot out and that flannel has got to be sweltering, but that open attire also reveals his well-defined six-pack.
I gulp. Why does he have to be so freakin’ sexy? The universe is obviously playing some sick joke on me.
“Are you okay?” His voice drops.
I whip my head away from his abs and hurriedly dig my purse out of the pack. Once I have it, I extract my keys and clutch my purse closely to my side.
Behind us, a few college students stroll by on the sidewalk. The lone girl in the group gives Collin an appreciative second glance. I barely control myself from scowling at her.
My breathing grows ragged. What is wrong with me? Who cares if she’s checking him out? I bring a hand to my forehead. I’m sleep deprived,