Page 52

“Okay. I can do that.”

“I think you?—”

Her voice gets cut off by a blinding flash of white out the window, immediately followed by a crash that’s so loud the house shakes. I screech and sit up in bed, bringing the sheet with me as if it’ll save me from the storm.

“What was that?”

Rain like I’ve never heard pours from the sky and pummels the roof, windows, and doors. The air is so thick with static and electricity that I can feel it hum against my skin and prickle the hairs on my arms.

“That’s the storm we’re getting.”

“Yeesh, that’s fri?—”

Her words cut off.

“Layla?!” I check my phone, but the call was dropped, and now it’s showing I have no cell service. Holy shit. I’m trapped on an island with no cell service. How can I call for help if I need it? And who would I even call? The freaking Coast Guard? Why did I think this island was a good idea?

Another flash of lightning and clap of thunder, and I shriek again, clutching the blanket tighter. I hate feeling like a wimp, but right now, I’m a total wimp because this is scary. I clamor out of bed and look out the window only to see a legit bolt of actual lightning hit the black water not too far from the island.

Oh my motherfluffing fuck. We’re the tallest structure out here and surrounded by water. What if the house is struck?

My heart slams against my ribs, and my hands tingle with adrenaline as I climb back in bed and try not to cry. I don’t want to be that girl. I am not that freaking girl! I am stronger than?—

Boom. “Ah!” Okay, I’m not stronger than this storm. Pressing a hand to my chest, I try to slow my breathing and heart down. I sink beneath the blankets and close my eyes, telling myself that I’m safe inside and it’s just a storm.

A second later, another bang startles me, only it’s my door opening and not banging, though everything is amplified right now.

“Keegan, you all right? I heard you scream.”

Another flash of lightning momentarily illuminates Loomis before he’s blacked out just as quickly. He’s only wearing his boxer briefs, and no matter how many times I’ve seen him shirtless in the last twenty-four hours, it’s not something I imagine I’ll ever get used to.

“I’m fine,” I tell him. “The thunder startled me, is all. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

He chuckles, and I hear him moving farther into my room. A second later the bed dips beside me, and the heat of his body and the scent of his skin are all over me.

“You didn’t wake me. I was still up, but even if I hadn’t been, I imagine this storm would have done the trick on its own.”

“What are you doing?”

His arms wrap around me and pull until I’m on my side, and he’s spooning me from behind. “I’m holding you, Keegan Fritz, because you’re too proud and stubborn to admit you’re scared.”

“Loomis, I don’t think?—”

“Shh, love. Don’t argue with me. I’ll keep my hands to myself. Just relax into me and sleep, okay? I can’t stand to hear you screaming and afraid. Not when I can hold you and keep you safe.”

“I’m not?—”

“Then do it for me. It’ll make me feel better to be in here with you.”

I shouldn’t let him sleep in here with me. For one, he’s practically naked, and I’m not wearing a whole lot more.

“Come on. Get some sleep.” His lips press into my hair, and he squeezes me a little tighter as if to say he’s not going anywhere no matter how much I want to argue it.

More lightning and thunder blow up the sky, and he’s right. I’m being ridiculous about it. I don’t want to sleep in here alone, and I do feel better with him beside me. Still, the rain and wind are their own force, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to relax and fall asleep. Not to mention, I’m in Loomis’s arms, and that alone is wreaking havoc on my body.

But he’s not trying anything, and I have to remind myself that he doesn’t want me that way. Besides, I literally just told Layla I wasn’t going to get physically or emotionally involved with him. The attraction I feel is my own and very one-sided. Loomis is my friend and nothing more.

With that in my head, I force myself to relax against him and will my eyes closed. Before long, his breathing evens out, and with him holding me like this, sleeping so soundly, I fall asleep only to wake up to a rumble of thunder. I crack an eye open and see the sky is dark and stormy, but it’s lighter out. I must have slept through the night.