Dare to Breathe Read Online Free PDF Page A

anyway,” he says gently, lifting my chin so I look into his beautiful eyes.
    I try not to let any more tears escape and pull my face away from his touch. Hearing his gentle tone and his kind words makes me feel safe, despite him being so close, so I just nod.
    Sighing, he gets up and for a moment, I stare at him. His chest is tanned and ripped showing a body that clearly gets worked hard. I glance again at his tattoo and realize it is a symbol woven around his biceps. It looks dark and intimidating but also good from this position, so I quickly look back down. Nathan looks at me once more as he stands at my doorway then turns around and is gone. I can’t believe I let another man get so close to me. The only person who has ever done that since ‘before,’ is my foster dad. My eyes flick once again at my photo. Tonight is going to be another long sleepless one I realize with another sigh, as I lie down.
    I wonder with dread when I get up the next morning if Nathan has told everyone what I did. I try and stay in my room until everyone has left, but I am desperate for the toilet. I put on a bathrobe and walk barefoot into the kitchen.
    Nathan is sitting there on his favorite chair drinking coffee.
    He gives me a little smile. “Morning,” is all he says.
    I mumble something back and then run up the stairs to the toilet. I know I will have to face him properly but once again, I feel panic. What can I say?
    Eventually, after ten minutes hiding in the bathroom, I walk back downstairs.
    Nathan is still very much there. He points to the chair next to me and says, “We need to talk.”
    Shit I think… here we go . I grab myself a coffee, stalling for time and then sit next to him.
    “So, you okay this morning?” he asks, his eyes looking deeply into mine.
    I sip my coffee and nod.
    “Look, I am not sure what is going on in your head but I want you to know two things. Firstly, I am here if you need someone to talk to and secondly, your secret is safe with me.”
    I release the breath I didn’t even know I was holding and nod my thanks to him.
    “Um, ahh, it’s nothing, just stupid nightmares. I have been having them since I was six and well…you know…they just stick.”
    “You been to someone to see what triggers them?”
    “I…I can’t,” is all I stammer back.
    He sits back in his chair and looks at me in frustration.
    “Sam, it’s not my place to bug you, but damn, you scared the shit out of me last night and I just want you to know that whatever it is, I am here okay?”
    I blink back grateful tears and smile at him. “Thanks,” I murmur.
    He nods solemnly and gets up. “Well, I better get going, nothing like a full day of biology to get me moving.”
    “What are you studying?” I ask him, suddenly curious and embarrassed that despite being here awhile now, I haven’t even gotten to know what he studies.
    “Well, Samantha,” he says, using my full name for the first time, “you are looking at a future kick ass vet! Only two more years to go.”
    I return the smile with a stupid grin of my own and watch him as he walks out the kitchen and out of the house.

Chapter Seven
    I head off to Sally’s straight after my last class of the day. I decide to walk as the weather is so warm at this time of year. Maybe the walk will soothe some of my nerves. It takes me twenty minutes from college to the café but I still get there too early. I see it is busy as usual with college kids streaming in and out after a day spent studying.
    “Hi Sally,” I say when I see her rushing with a slice of cake and two coffees on one tray. I smile at her appearance. Her hair is even wilder today and sticking out at mad angles. She wears a neon pink T-shirt and lime green shorts. The combination would look crazy on anyone else but on her, the look just fits.
    “Oh, my God; am I happy to see you this afternoon!” she replies. “Arnie called in sick so you are desperately needed in the kitchen. Just go do whatever Beth wants