Page 55 of Protecting Kelli
“Oh my God,” he mumbled with his mouth full. “This is the best chicken I’ve had in my life.”
The next twenty minutes went by with very little talking from either of them. They were too focused onfilling their bellies. Flash went back to the little buffet two more times, while Kelli only managed one refill. Soon, she was slumped against the couch, feeling as if she was going to pop. Her belly was slightly bloated with all the food she’d consumed, and Flash was in much the same position.
“I owe MacGyver big time,” Flash said with a satisfied smile. “That was awesome.”
“Yeah,” Kelli agreed.
When he got to his feet, she started to follow, but he shook his head. “No, stay there. Relax. I got this.”
“I can help,” Kelli protested.
“I know you can. But you don’t need to. I’m just going to shove everything we didn’t eat into the fridge for tomorrow morning. There are enough plates in the cupboard that I don’t even have to wash these, I’ll just rinse them and leave them in the sink. You can head into the bedroom and get ready for bed if you want.”
At that, Kelli stilled. She looked up at Flash with big eyes.
“Unless you don’t want to stay here. I’d understand. We’re practically strangers and?—”
“No!” Kelli interrupted. “I want to stay. I just…I wasn’t sure ifyouwanted me here.”
In response, Flash put down their empty plates and leaned over her, momentarily caging her in on the couch. “I want you here,” he whispered. His gaze flicked to her lips, then back to her eyes, before he straightened.
Kelli felt paralyzed for a moment longer, then she forced herself to stand. Groaning with how full she was—wow, how unsexy did she feel?—she waddled into the bedroom. She did what she needed to do in the bathroomas quickly as possible, then crawled under the covers still wearing her stretchy pants and sweatshirt.
She heard the clinking and clanking of dishes in the other room, and not too much later, Flash appeared. He smiled at her before heading into the bathroom.
Kelli was tense. All of a sudden, this felt awkward. She should’ve gone into the other room. She was simply torturing herself by being here with Flash. It was one thing to sleep in his arms while they’d been captive in that bus, but now? Sleeping with him in a comfortable bed?
She was an idiot.
But as soon as Flash got under the covers, slid over to where she was lying on her back, and pulled her into his arms, contentment and a rightness she’d never felt in her life swept over Kelli.
“So much better than that hard metal floor,” Flash sighed.
Kelli couldn’t agree more. Although she’d had the better end of that deal, as Flash had let her use him as a pillow.
Neither spoke for a long time; they just held each other in the dark room…both lost in thought.
For Kelli, her life was irrevocably changed. This was her guy. The one those books and movies talked about. The person who was made for her. Soul mates. She knew that without a doubt. But it wasn’t as if this was the end of the book. Life went on. She had no idea if things would work out between them, but for the first time ever, she was determined to go after what she wanted.
“I’m sorry I’m not the best conversationalist. I’m so damn tired,” Flash said quietly.
“Shhhh. No need for talking. I’m exhausted too.”
Flash fell asleep first. Kelli felt his deep breaths under her cheek as she lay practically on top of him. His arm was around her shoulders, his other hand graspingherarm, splayed over his chest. One of her legs had hitched up to rest upon his. They were as intertwined as they could be, and while she’d never slept with someone like this, Kelli had never been more comfortable.
With the feel of his heartbeat in her ear, Kelli followed Flash into a deep sleep not long after. She’d just been through the worst thing she’d ever experienced in her life, and yet, she was grateful it had provided the chance to get to know this man. He’d changed her forever, and even if they ended up as nothing but friends, she’d find a way to be all right with that…as long as he was in her life.
Brant Williams scowled as he stared straight ahead at the airplane seat in front of him. Nothing had turned out the way he’d planned. He’d been so careful, spent more money than he had to set everything up. It wasn’t cheap to strip that bus and pay to have it buried in the middle of fucking nowhere. He’d beenso surethe US government would pay to get that asshole back!
But he’d been wrong. And that stung.
He’d been waiting for the money to show up in his bank account when he’d gotten word that a group of Americans had arrived on the island. The information network was fast and effective on the island, and before long, word came down that the men were at Errol Brown’s house…asking questions.
Brant knew without a doubt that he was in deep shit.He’d packed as much as he could in two suitcases and headed straight to the airport. Errol wasn’t loyal to him and would definitely squeal. Would tell the Americans and probably the police all about the kidnapping and ransom plan—and how Brant was behind it.
He needed to get off the island. Disappear.
It didn’t take him long to decide where to go. He thought about the IDs he’d buried in his luggage. The addresses he’d memorized.
