Page 2 of Deserving Lara
It took every ounce of his control not to go back to the couch and pull Lara into his arms. Every one of his senses was in tune with her. He heard her shift on the couch, the subtle sound of the blanket moving. His fingers tingled with the remembered feel of her skin against his from a moment ago. He swore he could smell the peach lotion she used as well.
Moving his eyes, but not his head, he looked over at her. Her shoulder-length blonde hair was mussed from her pillow. Her dark blue eyes were a little glazed over, as if she was still half-asleep. She wore a pair of black leggings and an oversized shirt that hid the shape of her body, but given all the time he’d spent with her, Owl knew she was still a little too slender, still gaining back some of the weight she’d lost during her ordeal.
Her nose turned up a little at the end and she was prone to blush at the slightest provocation. She was tall for a woman—they were about the same height, around five-ten—but she was two years older than him at thirty-five. She was a bit clumsy and didn’t seem to have a pretentious bone in her body…and Owl loved her all the more for it.
Having her in his space was torture, but he would suffer in silence as long as it meant Lara felt safe. No one knew of his feelings for his roommate, and if he had his way, no one ever would. Lara had a life away from here. She was the executive director of a preschool back in Washington, DC. Her kids missed her, all the parents loved her, and her boss had actually told Lara that she’d hold her job for her as long as she needed.
She’d be leaving eventually. Owl knew it. Cora knew it. Hell, everyone knew it. Owl would let her go because he loved her that much. He’d never hold her back. He’d do anything for this woman. Selflessly. Because she was worth it. Because after what she’d been through, she deserved the world. He’d give it to her if he could. But all he could do was ensure she could eventually get back to her life safely. Without looking over her shoulder.
Tex, the computer genius who’d brought him and his friends together years ago to form The Refuge, was trying to track down Carter Grant, the most wanted man in the country right now. The cops couldn’t find him. The FBI had lost his trail. But the serial killer couldn’t hide from Tex for long.
Owl had dreams of going after Grant once he was found. Of being the one to end the threat to the woman he loved. He’d probably die in the process, as he wasn’t like his ex-special forces friends. He had basic hand-to-hand combat skills, but he wasn’t as highly trained as a SEAL or Delta Force operative. Though he did have something his friends didn’t—motivation. He loved Lara enough to sacrifice himself to make sure she could live a long, happy life, free of Carter Grant’s threat hanging over her head.
His friends would rake him over the coals if they knew he’d willingly sacrifice himself to save Lara. But since the chances of Texnottelling the others that he’d found the serial killer, and letting Owl go after him alone, were slim to none, his likely demise wouldn’t really be an issue. He just knew that, if necessary, Owl would one hundred percent give his life for Lara’s.
The sound of the water bubbling in the kettle brought him out of his musings once again. Owl reached for the handle and poured the water into the mug, smiling at the rich scent of chocolate that wafted to his nose. He’d used plenty of extra chocolate, because that was how Lara liked it.
He stirred the drink, then turned and headed back to the couch. Owl could sense her gaze on him, and it made him feel warm inside. He sat next to her and held out the mug. “Careful, it’s hot.”
“Of course it is, it’s hot chocolate,” she said softly, with a small smile.
Owl lived for those smiles. They were rare, and he treasured each and every one.
“True. Let me know if it’s strong enough for you. If not, I can add more mix.”
She blew on the drink, then took a cautious sip. Her blue eyes met his. “It’s perfect.”
“Good,” Owl said, leaning back against the couch.
They sat in silence for a long moment, something else Owl loved about her. She didn’t feel the need to chatter unnecessarily. She was as content to sit in silence as he was. She’d told him once it was because of her work. All day she listened to children babble on and on, and while she loved it, she was just as glad to get into her car at the end of the workday and enjoy the sound of silence.
“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked.
Owl shrugged. “No.”
“You really should take the pills the doctor gave you,” she scolded gently.
None of his friends knew the extent of his insomnia. They didn’t know that if he managed to sleep for three or four hours a night, he considered himself lucky. His brain wouldn’t shut down long enough for him to get a full night’s rest. And since Lara had arrived, his worry for her and his need to be there when she woke from nightmares madesurehe didn’t sleep through the night.
“It’s fine,” he told her.
Lara frowned. “It’s not. You don’t get enough sleep, Owl.”
“I’m used to it.”
Her brows furrowed.
Her concern for him felt good. Really good. “Seriously, I’m fine. It’syouI’m worried about. Why’d you wake up tonight?”
Lara’s gaze went back to the mug in her hands as she shrugged.
“Talk to me, Lara.”
She sighed. “I just…I’m such a burden.”
“What? That’s not true,” Owl insisted.
She gave him a sad smile. “It is. I can see the worry in Cora’s eyes when she visits. Everyone here is on edge, worried Carter will sneak onto the property in the middle of the night and cause havoc. And you…” Her voice trailed off. “I know you didn’t expect to have me attached to your hip for this long.”
