King 02 - Breathless Read Online Free PDF

watched a movie… she’s trying to keep me busy, keep my mind off… well, you, I guess.”
    “And is she succeeding?”
    I sighed and snuggled down deeper into the pillows. “I don’t know. I still think of you… oh, all the time?”
    “Same here. You don’t have to worry about me forgetting you—everything I see reminds me of you. I see spots on campus where we could sit and read, places to eat… hey, and I saw a sign for alligator crossing, so that really made me think of you.”
    I shivered and giggled. “Thanks. I’d just as soon leave the gators behind, if it’s all the same to you.” I yawned, hugely, unable to stop myself.
    Michael sighed. “I better let you get back to sleep,” he said with regret. “My parents are in the hotel room anyway, waiting for me. We have to get up early tomorrow morning to move me into the dorm. So… good night. I love you.”
    “I love you, too. Sleep well. Call me tomorrow?”
    “The minute I have some privacy, I will. Sweet dreams.”
    “I’m sure I will. After all, I’m sleeping in your bed. The pillows smell like you.” I breathed in deeply.
    Michael groaned. “That’s not a visual I needed—you all warm and sleepy in my bed…”
    I smiled again, delighted at the yearning in his voice. “’Night, Michael…” I sang.
    “Good night, you shameless flirt.” I heard the click on the other end and gently set the phone on the nightstand. I had no doubt that my dreams tonight would be filled with Michael. For the moment at least, I couldn’t ask for any more.
     
     

Marly and Luke returned home mid-day on Thursday. I was in the front of the shop and saw the car pull through the lot onto the dirt road that led back to the cabin. I was unprepared for the stabbing of pain when it struck me anew that Michael wasn’t with them.
    Lela glanced up from her inventory across the room. “Was that Mom and Dad?” she asked me.
    I nodded. “Yes. It looks like they headed right back to the house. Do you want to go up and see them? I can cover here.”
    Lela studied me briefly. She’s hurting again. Having my parents back and Michael not here is going to be almost as hard as when he left…
    I clamped shut my mind and frowned in concentration. Lela grimaced and shook her head.
    “Was I thinking too loudly? Sorry.”
    I shook my head in consternation. “No, it’s not you. It’s me. I should be able to keep it out. I was spoiled by always listening to Michael. And you and your mom are like him—you’re especially easy for me to hear.” I saw the look on Lela’s face and hurried to reassure her. “Not that I do. I really try hard to keep you out. It’s only when I’m particularly vulnerable that I end up accidentally hearing things.”
    Lela laughed without much humor. “I’ve been trying to keep my thoughts in check all summer. I don’t know what I’ll do when I go back to school and can think freely.”
    I felt horribly guilty. “I’m sorry, Lela. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t be yourself around me. I really, really try. And I haven’t heard anything at all that you wouldn’t want me to know. I promise.”
    Lela appeared slightly mollified. “I know. It’s not your fault. And no, I’m not going up to the house yet. I’ll give them a chance to get settled. Besides, if I went up now, I’d get roped into helping them unload the car.”
    We stayed at the shop until closing time, and then I walked to the cabin with Lela. Marly and Luke were sitting out on the deck, feet up and drinks in hand.
    “Hello, girls,” Marly called. “Come and join us.”
    I struggled to keep at bay the burning in my throat as I remembered how often Michael and I had relaxed on the deck with his parents. I followed Lela up the steps and perched on a chair.
    “So, is he all settled?” Lela asked.
    “Yes, he seems to be. His room is pretty nice—you know, basic freshman dorm. We liked his roommate. I think you’ll like him, too, Tasmyn,” Marly