On the Run (Whispering Key #2) - May Archer Page 0,26

no, I will leave.” He frowned. “It’s not ideal, but I’ll figure something out. I’m not entirely without means.” He set his jaw, which was a surprisingly sexy look. “What do you think?”

I folded my arms across my chest. What I thought was that Toby Elford reeked of desperation… and it smelled an awful lot like an over-nuked vegan burrito. I also thought the holes in his story were big enough to drive a truck through.

But there was something about Toby’s combination of nerves and defiance that got to me, even more than any of the physical things about him, and even though part of me needed him to be on the other side of the planet from me, a larger part of me felt like maybe he needed me.

I was a sucker for a wounded stray, and it turned out sexy, overly dramatic New Yorkers were no exception.

“I think you’ll stay,” I confirmed.

He closed his eyes for a brief second in relief, and when he popped them open, he gave me a brilliant smile. “My knight in shining armor!”

My heart galloped at that smile, and I vowed to build a wall of blankets so high it could be seen from outer space. So high, I couldn’t fight my way through it.

“I’ll repay you for the inconvenience somehow.” Toby sank his teeth into his firm lower lip thoughtfully. “Otherwise I’d owe you.”

“You really wouldn’t. At all.”

“I’d feel like I did, which is the same thing. So, sex is off the table, and my best cooking involves meat. Don’t suppose you need anything written?”

I shook my head, bewildered and amused. “Nope.”

“And you’re not in need of any… advice?”

“From you? No.” I winced the second the words came out. “I didn’t mean—”

Toby’s mouth twisted. “Yes, you did. And fair enough. So far you’ve saved me from imminent demise twice, and I’ve thrown myself on your mercy for the next week. I wouldn’t take advice from me either.” He muttered something about professional liability.

“Are you okay—?”

Toby rolled his shoulders, which looked tight. “I’m fine. No worries. I’ll think of something I can do.”

I shook my head, deciding not to fight this battle right then, and pushed up to standing. “Alright. So I’m gonna grab a shower and head out. I’ve got some stuff to do for the Nature Center. The contractors might be coming by for a bit to work on the floors up at the main house, but they shouldn’t bother you if you wanna use the pool. Oh, and I can have Jim Pickles run up some groceries, if you make me a list of what you want.”

Toby’s eyes widened at the mention of contractors and widened further when I mentioned Jim. “Or I could just lock the door and not talk to anyone! Ha! I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me. I have my laptop. I… oh, shit! I have my laptop!” Toby was nearly buzzing with nervous energy, and I didn’t get it, but it was hella distracting. “What’s the Wi-Fi password?”

I bit my lip. “There kinda isn’t one.”

“What?”

I shrugged. “Fenn and Mase don’t have it hooked up yet.”

“Fuck.” Toby pushed both hands through his hair and shook his head at the ceiling. “So close and yet so far. If anyone ever asks you, baby puke is not lucky.”

“Sure.” I folded my arms over my chest and watched him pace the kitchen for a minute. “Look, I want you to do something for me. Stand up straight and take a deep breath.”

“What?” One side of his lip came up in a grimace. “No.”

“Seriously,” I insisted. “I want you to do a yoga pose that will open up your solar plexus chakra.”

“My who now?”

“This right here.” I touched a hand to my own bare chest, halfway between my ribs and navel. “Your solar plexus chakra. It corresponds to your feelings of self-esteem and control over your life. If it’s blocked, you’re gonna feel out of control and unable to tap into your own power. Doing this stretch and focusing on your breathing can really help unblock you and remind you that you’re in the driver’s seat.”

Toby lifted a skeptical eyebrow. “Is this the time to mention I was born without chakras? It’s tragic but true. I blame my mother. She didn’t have them either.”

I tilted my head to one side. “Doing this would repay any debt you might feel you owed me.” I blinked innocently.

He narrowed his eyes like he might protest, but in the end he threw up his