My Forever Read Online Free PDF

Changing course, he headed to the valley just outside of town. His place rested between two rolling hills, hidden from view of the highway. He’d bought the ten acres surrounding it for privacy, but never imagined needing it to unload a semi-conscious, naked man from his car unseen.
    Lucas carried him in and walked through the kitchen to his bedroom on the other side. Pulling down the comforter, he then rolled Kyle onto the black sheets, tugging his jacket from around Kyle’s body so that he lay on his stomach. The sun shining through the open windows made visible so much more than Lucas had been able to make out in the dark closet.
    The lash marks scoring the length of his body were thin but plentiful. Where they crossed over each other, the skin gaped, showing exposed muscle and even bone in a few spots. Bite marks dotted the backs of his arms and purple and black bruises lined the sides of his ribs. Lucas ran his hands lightly over them to determine if any were broken. When he didn’t feel any cracks or protrusions, he pulled Kyle’s wrists from beneath him and lifted them above his head, ripping apart the thin, metal cuffs binding them.
    In a way, he was glad to see the deep red abrasions underneath. It meant that Kyle had fought against the beating. He would need that strength of spirit to get past this.
    “Kyle, I’m going to give you a sedative. I need to clean your wounds and stitch some of them. Are you allergic to anything?”
    Kyle shook his head and buried his face into the pillow beneath it.
    “Okay, I’ll be right back.” Lucas went into the kitchen and put the kettle on. He measured out several different herbs, placed them in a tea strainer, then gathered the supplies needed to wash and mend Kyle. Once the tea was ready, he returned to his bedroom and set everything on the nightstand.
    “I’ve got to sit you up so you can drink this.” Lucas climbed onto the bed and eased Kyle to his side and then up so that Kyle’s back rested against his chest. He picked up the mug and pressed the rim to Kyle’s lips.
    When he was halfway through, Kyle whispered, “What is this?”
    “A recipe native to my people.”
    “Feels good,” he slurred, the sleep-inducing drug mixed in with the medicinal herbs obviously taking effect.
    Lucas chuckled and helped him hold the cup to finish off the rest. When the mug was empty, he slipped out from behind and lay the man back down but Kyle clutched the tail of his shirt in one small hand.
    “Why?”
    Lucas didn’t need Kyle to elaborate to know what he was asking, but how could he answer that when he wasn’t sure himself? He was far from a Good Samaritan. There was just something about the young man, though, that called to protective instincts he’d never realised he had. When he’d suspected that Kyle was in danger, it hadn’t been a matter of whether he should get involved or not. It had been about how fast he could get there and whether or not he should kill Craig.
    “I can’t lose my best employee.”
    The herbs started to take effect and Kyle fell asleep with a small smile on his lips.

    * * * *

    Lucas awoke to the sounds of stuttering footsteps. He rose from the couch and went into the kitchen, turning the light on as he entered. Kyle stood in the opposite doorway, one hand braced against the dark wood panelling as if to keep from toppling over. His lips were pale and his other hand was held to his stomach, but at least the swelling in his eyes had lessened to the point that he could keep them partially open.
    Despite his alarming pallor, Lucas had to admit he still looked damn sexy. A blue cotton T-shirt Lucas had left out for him went down to his knees and contrasted with his ruffled, strawberry-blond hair that fell past his shoulders. After closing the distance between them, he began to guide Kyle back to the room but the smaller man shook his head.
    “I feel like I’ve been laying down forever. Can I sit somewhere?”
    It wasn’t the best idea