Unknown Read Online Free PDF Page B

laughed as he approached, watching me straighten his stack of magazines.
    “Was that bothering you?”
    I took the mug of cocoa. “Just helping you out a bit while I waited. I’ve picked a movie.”
    He approached with a bag of ice wrapped with a towel. He squatted next to me and I jumped when he reached for my leg.
    “What are you doing?”
    He propped my leg on the coffee table.
    “For your knee.”
    I snatched the ice and put it on my knee, thankful when he stood and backed away.
    “Thank you.”
    I watched him remove his sweater, my heart racing when I thought he was getting naked. I sighed in relief when I saw he had a t-shirt on underneath. He sat next to me on the couch; I thought he was a little too close, but I didn’t say anything.
    “Relax, Shae. Kick your feet back.”
    I maintained my upright position, readjusting my ice. “I’m comfortable. Thanks.”
    His brows shot up. “Are you going to take off your coat?”
    My eyes narrowed, but I sighed. I was going to be there for a while. Only a fool would sit around all evening in a thick coat. After he hung it up for me, we started the movie. I wished I had a t-shirt on under my turtleneck, because I was getting hot. I stood, folding the blanket into a perfect square and placing it in the spot I’d found it.
    He finished his cocoa and sat back, turning his attention to the movie, but I couldn’t concentrate. Although I was staring at the screen just like him, my attention was focused on his form, which I could just make out in my peripheral vision.
    Who was this man? Why did he take so much interest in me? Did he have ulterior motives like I was beginning to suspect, or was he truly just a nice guy who saved my life? I tugged at my thick collar, airing out my damp skin.
    He appeared so relaxed around me, but I was as tense as ever.
    “What’s wrong with you?” I jumped at the sound of his voice halfway through the movie.
    I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants, shaking my head. “Nothing at all.”
    He sat up, and my heart fluttered as he leaned into me. I told myself it was racing because he startled me out of my thoughts, and not because he got close to me.
    “You’ve been stiff as a board since you sat on the couch, and you haven’t touched your chocolate. What’s wrong?”
    I leaned away from him as I responded, deciding to change the subject and try to focus on him instead.
    “Why are you here alone?”
    He shrugged. “I’m surrounded by people all the time. Sometimes it’s nice to get away.”
    “I guess you’re a busy man, huh?”
    He licked his lips, and I darted my eyes to the TV. “Something like that.”
    “Do you have a large family? Are you in a relationship?”
    He lifted an eyebrow. “Why so many questions?”
    “I should know something about you, so I don’t feel like I’m spending my evening with a stranger.”
    He smiled. “So you don’t want me to be a stranger now? Are we back to friend status? Should we stay up all night with wine and gossip?”
    I rolled my eyes, thankful his snarky response distracted me from the memory of his tongue trailing across his plump lips just a few moments before. I tugged on my collar again.
    “Why are you avoiding the question?”
    “Why do you want to know?”
    I shrugged. “You know so much about me. You’re the only person who knows my deepest secret. And I don’t know anything about you. You know my shame, so what’s yours?”
    He folded his arms in front of his chest, his large biceps bulging.
    “If I didn’t stumble upon your secret, would you have told me?”
    “Well, no.”
    “Exactly. Secrets are hidden for a reason.”
    He leaned back in the seat, eyes back on the television. I took that to mean I wasn’t going to get anything more out of him. But I tried one more time.
    “Have you ever had your heart broken?” I asked in a whisper.
    He glanced my way, a dullness resting over his eyes. His chest collapsed from a long, but silent, exhale.
    “Yes. And that’s