Read Consumed for Free Online

half-eaten celery stick at Rourk as menacingly as she could.
    “Character is a good word for him. You’ll like him.”
    Rourk pulled out chicken and cut it into strips as the pan was heating up. Keegan found that she loved watching him cook. He looked so at ease in the kitchen, which was odd because he screamed soldier when you saw him in public. She really couldn’t wait to find out more about him.
    She smiled to herself. We have a lifetime ahead of us to do so.
    “What time is your plane leaving?” Keegan asked, crunching into another celery stick.
    He didn’t turn to look at her, but his voice was subdued. “Tomorrow at 9 pm. It was the latest flight out I could get.”
    Keegan shifted uncomfortably on the stool. “I’m leaving at 6pm. I have a long flight. And classes Monday morning.”
    He was silent a moment. “This is going to be hard.”
    “I know,” Keegan said. She sighed. “I’ve never felt this way before. I feel panicked at the thought of being separated from you.”
    Rourk looked down at the pan and moved the chicken around. “I know. I’m not looking forward to leaving you. I just got you back. It’s going to kill me to see you get on the plane.”
    Keegan realized she was choked up, and didn’t answer. Instead, she covered a carrot in dressing and ate it.
    Rourk scooped up the chicken and placed it on a bed of lettuce and tomatoes then sprinkled some shredded cheese on top. He placed it in front of her along with the dressing. “I hope this is good enough.”
    Keegan gave him a look of adoration. “It’s perfect. Go get yours so we can eat.”
    They ate in silence, neither wanting to talk about the fact that they would be saying goodbye soon. Keegan felt anxious anytime she thought about him leaving her. Please let it not be as bad as I think it will , she thought.
    After they ate, Keegan said, “I’m going to jump in the shower, then we can go shopping for your laptop.”
    Rourk grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him. “I’ll be right here when you get back.” His kiss sent fire through her body.
    She smiled, then turned on her heel and ran up the stairs. Her cell phone was laying on her desk. She grabbed it and sent Anna a text. Thank you!
    You’re welcome. Everything is good?
    Perfect other than we have to be separated tomorrow.
    Yeah, that sucks.
    Guess who is moving to Washington next semester.
    NO WAY! We should be roommates.
    That would be crazy!
    Ok I have to jump in the shower. I’ll talk to you once I get back in Alaska.
    Bye.
    Keegan held the phone tight to her chest with a huge grin across her face. She jumped in the shower and got dressed in record time. I’m glad I left so many of my clothes here instead of taking them all to Alaska , she thought as she shimmied into a pair of faded jeans. She pulled on a pale blue sweater, and then quickly applied some mascara and blush. One last look in the mirror, and she ran back downstairs to Rourk.
    He was sitting on the couch with her father. He jumped to his feet when she appeared. “You look great.”
    Keegan felt her cheeks flush. “Thank you. Are you ready to get out of here? Do you want to go to your house and get changed?”
    Rourk looked down at his day-old clothing and shrugged. “I guess I should.”
    Keegan looked over at her father. “Tell mom, we are going out and we’ll be back later tonight. I doubt we’ll be home for dinner. We have a date tonight.” Keegan wrapped her arms around Rourk’s waist and squeezed him tightly.
    “Have fun.” Her father turned back towards the TV.
    Keegan grabbed a coat from the closet. “We’ll drive to Nashville to get the computer. The stores are better, and they have better restaurants.”
    “Whatever you want is fine with me.”
    When they walked into Rourk’s house, Keegan was surprised how comfortable and homey it felt. “Have I been here before?”
    “Yes, when you picked me up to go away for the weekend. To the cabin. I’ll be right back.”
    Keegan was