Page 13 of Tempting Fire

Had those words just come out of his mouth? Zarek sucked in a deep breath. If it were physically possible, he’d kick his own ass.

“Fuck, I’m sorry, Chloe.” He wrapped his arms around her, and tucked her head close to his heart. “I’m so sorry. The last thing you need is some man threatening violence.”

She shook in his hold.

“Oh God Cupcake. Here I thought I was doing the right thing, and you managed to push my buttons. I’m so fucking sorry.”

He stroked her shiny black curls, breathing in the citrus scent of her shampoo, wanting to kill the man who had hurt this beautiful woman.

“Let me call Zoe. Trenda. Drake. Evie. Maddie. Anyone. God, I’m so sorry.”

That’s when he heard it. It was quiet. But for just a quick moment, he heard Chloe Rose Avery’s laughter. His head shot up.

“Are you laughing?”

“No.” she laughed.

“Are you laughing at me?”

She stilled. He pushed back so he could look at her. For just a fleeting moment he saw a little bit of the old Chloe.

“You were. You were laughing at me.”

She sighed. “This is a bad idea Zarek. You really should have just left me at my house.” The smile turned upside down.

“Fuck no. You were wallowing. When was the last time you laughed at something? Even if it had to be my dumbassedness, I’m for it. Tell me, did I scare you?”

She looked at him in confusion. “When?”

“When I threatened to hit you.” He raked his hand through his hair.

“When did you do that?”

“I said I was going to spank you,” he said in exasperation.

“That isn’t hitting me. You always threaten to spank me.” Her hand fluttered above his chest, then fell back into her lap. “I told you this was a bad idea, now you’re going to walk on eggshells, when this is how you always talked to me.” She sounded tired. The sparkle that had been in her eye was gone. She was shivering despite the heat.

“Let’s get you inside. I want to get you some food.”

“I just want to sleep. I want to block everything out.”

“No!” It was a visceral response on his part. He wanted her laughter, he didn’t want her going back to the zombie Chloe.

“Please Zarek, you don’t understand. Feeling anything will ultimately result in…” she drifted off and started staring out the window. He recognized that stare. It was the hundred-yard stare that Luke sometimes had.

“Talk to me.”

She didn’t say anything. Just stared.

“All right, don’t say anything. You don’t have to talk. But let’s get you something to eat.” He unbuckled her belt. “Wait in the truck, I’m coming around to help you out.” It said a lot that she just sat there until he came around to her side. She damn near fell into his arms. He held her close to his side as they made their way up the steps to the lodge lobby.

“Chloe or Zoe?” The older woman behind the reception desk asked. Then her gaze narrowed. “Oh you must be Chloe, you’re looking pretty run down.” The woman came around from behind the desk and made a move to embrace Chloe. Zarek got between the two and the woman scowled.

“Who are you? Chloe and I go way back. She needs a hug from an old friend, now don’t you dear?”

“Hi Judy,” Chloe mumbled as she kept the tips of her fingers on Zarek’s arm, standing behind him.

“We all heard about what happened. Is it true that man put a gun in your mouth?”