Read Bound to the Past (Starville Series Book 1) for Free Online Page B

hundred and thirty-seven people—canʼt get any more stable than that, right?” she joked.
    Jackʼs lips slid into a smile. A lazy smile that made that gorgeous dimple reappear on his right cheek. Sara swallowed loudly. Drew in a ragged breath. Heck, she was starting to feel like a lovesick puppy!
    “Seriously, though, I do love Starville. I feel at home here and wouldnʼt live anywhere else. People are nice and friendly, and…” Her mouth snapped closed as she realized she didnʼt quite believe that anymore. Her stomach roiled at the thought that the person who had assaulted Jack and nearly killed him might be hiding among the same people sheʼd always loved and trusted. The notion was unbearable.
    Jack watched her expression deepen but chose not to comment. He didnʼt know why, but he just wanted to see her smile again. He wanted to see the joy back in those lovely cinnamon-colored eyes. Suddenly, he realized heʼd been wrong: Sara wasnʼt pretty. She was beautiful. Well, maybe not in the conventional way or the classic sense of the word, but there was definitely something about her—something he couldnʼt quite put his finger on. Maybe it was her natural gentleness, or the warmth she seemed to bring in the air every time she was around. Or maybe that sweet innocence of hers, which made him want to protect her from the evil in the world…. He crushed that thought ruthlessly. The last thing he needed right now was to lose what little mind he had left over a woman. As if he didnʼt have enough problems already, considering that, at the moment, he didnʼt even know who the hell he was.
    Something of his thoughts must have shown on his face, because Sara frowned at him. “Jack? Are you all right? Do you want me to call a nurse?”
    He hastily shook his head in response to her pressing questions―but the sudden movement seemed to shoot a million daggers through his head, making him wince and gasp in pain. She jumped to her feet to grab the remote on the side table. His hand snatched her wrist, stopping it in midair just as she was about to push the call button.
    Sara stared down at him in shock as a jolt of electricity shot through her arm, stealing her breath and paralyzing her on the spot. Jack held her gaze.
    “Iʼm fine,” he whispered, letting her wrist go. “I just need to quit forgetting about my damn head.”
    She kept staring at him after his eyes closed. He appeared so exhausted all of a sudden that it was all she could do not to reach out and hug him. Lord help her, how could the man affect her like this? It was insane. Sheʼd just met him, and already she felt like a teenager with her first crush! Maybe it was because she felt responsible for him after rescuing him, she told herself. It had to be some strange psychological phenomenon playing havoc with her brain. She decided to research the subject next time she went to the library, but even with that resolution in mind, she remained restless. Frantic. On edge.
    She had to get out of there. She needed to put some order into her thoughts and regain the control sheʼd always been so proud of. She had to wish Jack good luck and go back to her life. Her serene, predictable life. Now, that was a good idea.
    Sara cleared her throat. “I better go. You must be exhausted after I talked your ears off.”
    Jackʼs eyes shot open. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
    Iʼm afraid not. I need to go back to my book, start planning my next meeting with my agent, and take care of the million other things that are part of my usual life. It was very nice meeting you, Jack, and I wish you the very best. This she should say. She should tell him good-bye and leave without a second thought.
    “Of course youʼll see me tomorrow,” she heard herself answering instead.
    And damn if she didnʼt do it with a smile.

Chapter 6
    Sitting at her desk, Nicky was studying the large file open in front of her. Jack Turnerʼs file. The police station was just about deserted that late, so she