Eliana Read Online Free PDF Page B

The bed was soft, the feather comforter deliciously warm. The cold air stayed outside instead of creeping in through poorly sealed windows. She had to stop and think for a moment about how she ended up here.
    A shudder rolled through her as memory returned. That man. That… thing.
    Suddenly chilled, she sat up for a look around. The room was bright and clean, far different from the worn-down house she’d grown up in. Her clothes were gone. Worse, so was her cane. While she could manage without it, she needed the support if she was going to continue north.
    A bottle of Vicodin with her name on it sat next to the bed. She twisted the cap off and tipped a pill into her palm, inspecting it closely to be sure they were what the label said. The pain in her hip had lessened, but she was glad for the drugs as she limped toward the bathroom. Inside she found a hairbrush, toothpaste, and a toothbrush still in the package. All meant for her, she assumed, and took advantage of the gifts. She downed the pill with a glass of water and couldn’t help looking in the mirror, noting the dozen or so bright red splotches across her face and arms. They were hot to the touch, like sunburn, and were sticky as if someone had put aloe or another ointment atop them.
    She shuddered, recalling the terror of the previous night. The cold and pain must have turned her head. She’d imagined that man disintegrating into nothing. And Kon… He must have been a fancy born out of fear as well. No one could have a face that gorgeous. Not that it mattered. After her injury, she didn’t know if she’d be able to enjoy intimacy even if she wanted it. She didn’t.
    The shower—hot for the entire time she stood within it—was complete, utter bliss and included fresh soap and scented shampoo that didn’t have to be scavenged from a hotel Dumpster. She didn’t want to leave the shower, but neither did she want to be caught unawares.
    When she exited the bathroom, clad in a towel, Kon was waiting over by the window. The sun had come out, and melting snow slid down the glass. Her breath caught as he turned. No, she had definitely not imagined his beauty. The long black hair, worn loose, added to his androgynous features. His gray sweater looked so soft she wanted to touch it—and him.
    “Feeling better?” His smile increased his angelic appearance.
    “Fine.” She clutched the towel more tightly around herself. “I thought I dreamed you. I’ve never seen anyone so pretty except—” A sudden thought struck her. “I’m sorry. I mean, if you’re not a man—”
    “I was born male with all the requisite parts.” His eyes held a vague disappointment. “Are you hungry? Is there anything you need?”
    “Thank you for everything, but it’s time I left. Where are my clothes?”
    “In the trash where they belong.”
    A knot of fear twisted her stomach. I knew it. I fucking knew it. He’s going to keep me here as his pet for some sort of perverted—
    Kon held up his hands for peace. “You’re not my prisoner.” He stepped aside and gestured to a pile of clothes sitting on the back of the couch. “I found you something better to wear. New and warmer, I hope.”
    Also leaning against the couch was a cane made of handsome dark wood with some sort of carving at the top. The sight of it moved her more than it should have. “I hope you burned the other cane.”
    “It met a worthy fate, I assure you.” Kon lifted the new cane and casually toyed with it. “I’ll make you a deal. Let Doc Jensen take an X-ray of your hip, and I’ll let you have this, the clothes, and a ride to wherever you want to go.”
    She’d had quite enough of that pushy woman last night. “No deal. I can find my own ride.”
    “In a towel? It’s forty degrees outside.”
    The earnest expression mixed with those delicate features twisted her heart. No, she couldn’t make this trip alone, and it pissed her off that she had to accept help from a stranger.
    “I’m sorry