Page 49 of First Chance
“Are you okay?”
I don’t realize how bad I’m shaking until I try to shrug. My whole body is shivering, but I know I’m not cold.
“Are you afraid of me, Jo?” He asks the question he’s asked once before, but not after seeing something like this.
“No,” I force through my chattering teeth.
My fingers feel thick as I try to release the seat belt from my waist, not adept enough to push the button and pull simultaneously. I press and pull, press then pull, not quite getting it each time until his calloused hand covers mine, blanketing my fingers in warmth.
“Let me.” He unbuckles it easily, letting the belt fall to either side of me.
“Come on.” His hand retreats, but I snatch it before it gets away, needing to hold on to his steadying force.
He studies my two hands grasping his before pulling me from my seat, and balancing me as my feet touch the ground.
“You’re hurt,” I murmur as the moon illuminates the blood on his knuckles.
“I’m fine.”
“I’m sorry, Lochlan. I don’t know why I got in the truck, I shouldn’t have,” my voice shakes as I fight to keep my tears at bay. I feel so stupid.
“Jo…” He says my name softly, and I have to crane my neck to look up at him directly.
My teeth chatter as I stare at him, waiting for my punishment. Instead, his right hand raises hesitantly and cradles the side of my head tenderly. My hair’s thick and I can hardly feel him, but I want to.
I lean into his palm, and his eyes flare.
His mouth parts as if to say something, but when his hand shifts like he might touch my cheek, I hiss in pain. “Ouch.”
“Dammit. Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt?”
“I didn’t realize I was.” I touch the spot on my jaw justbelow my ear and cringe. The skin’s rubbed raw from hitting the inside of the cab.
“I’ll fucking kill all of them.” He pulls away to storm down to the bunkhouse, but I interlock my fingers in his, forcing him to stop and look at me.
“It’s not their fault. I got in the truck willingly. Curtis and Ryker just didn’t want me to go alone. Curtis tried to shield me the best he could. It was my fault for going to the fire in the first place. I should have listened to you.”
“Yes, you should have.”
“I’ll listen next time, I’m sorry.” I drop his hand, wrapping my arms around my torso and fleeing to the guesthouse.
I don’t expect him to follow me, but when I turn to close the door, he’s still watching me, and a part of me wishes I didn’t have to be alone tonight.
* * *
I slip on my black stilettos, struggling to clasp them because I can’t bend properly. This dress is fitted from my chest to my thighs with a boning that makes it hard to breathe when I sit down, but it does wonders to enhance an hourglass figure.
The deep maroon color brings out the brown in my eyes, much to my mother’s dismay. That’s why I picked it.
We have a big event tonight. The richest companies from all over the state will be there, which means their foundations will be looking for ways to spend money. Not because they’re feeling charitable, but because they want the tax write-offs.
If all goes well, I’ll get closer to our goal fund, and Lochlanwill be able to get the security system he needs. He’s already started spending some of the money on better fencing, but the bulk of it will need to go toward the camera system.
Once I have that accomplished, I might feel worthy of something.
Unfortunately, the thought of completing the goal and not being needed here anymore leaves me feeling empty.
Jo: Are you almost ready?
