Read Finding Pride (Pride Series) for Free Online Page B

grabbed a tool box from the back of the car.
     
    “Oh, I don’t want to bother you, I’m sure I can figure it out myself.”
     
    “No trouble, I helped Matt install that sink less than a year ago. If you’re busy, I can come back later.” He said looking up the three stairs at her.
     
    She realized she was blocking the back door and quickly moved aside.
     
    “No, I’m sorry, please.” She ushered him in.
     
    “It will only take me a few minutes, then I’ll be out of your way.” He headed down the hall towards the bathroom.
     
    She walked into the living room where she placed another log on the fire. She started pacing in front of the fireplace. She felt tense and uneasy, waiting for him to finish up. After about ten minutes of waiting she sat down and picked up the book she had started earlier. She knew she shouldn’t be reading a Stephen King book, especially with her nerves, but she just couldn’t put it down.
     
    Not only were there monsters, but ones that always seemed to jump out when she least expected it. It’s not like she didn’t know that vampires didn’t exist, she’d always loved a good scary story. Probably her brothers doing.
     
    Just then the floor board behind her creaked, and she found herself jumping once again.
     
    “I’m sorry.” Todd said with a reassuring smile, “I was just going to tell you, that I was done and heading out.”
     
    She couldn’t, just couldn’t look him in the eyes. So instead she bent over to pick up the book that had been dislodged from her lap. Instantly she winced from the pain. Her bruised muscles that ran from her shoulders to her lower back were flaming up again. Grasping, she starting to reach for something, anything for support.
     
    Todd was next to her in a second, “Easy.” He murmured. “Did you hurt your neck? Here now, let me see,” he said walking her backwards towards the couch. At the same time he took a light hold on the neckline of her baggy shirt to reveal her slender neck.
     
    “It’s nothing, just…” Megan tensed again and started to pull away, but his hands remained lightly on her shoulders.
     
    “I’m not going to hurt you. Let me help you, your shoulders must be sore, carrying the weight of that cast around all day,” he said in a soft voice, holding her steady. “I just want to help you, trust me.” She turned slightly and just looked up into his eyes. Seeing his concern, all she could do was nod in reply.
     
    He lightly tugged her shirt to the side, exposing her neck and half of her right shoulder. She heard his gasp, and looked back over her shoulder at him. When she saw his raw emotions flash across his face, she started to tense. It was a look that could easily snap bones. Pulling away, she backed up until the backs of her legs hit the couch.
     
    “I, I’m sorry.” She started to move away.
     
    He just stood there, and closed his eyes. Taking several deep breaths to calm his temper. When he opened his eyes again, she could see that his emotions were back under control.
     
    When Todd had looked down at Megan’s skin he’d been shocked. Where her skin should have been a soft creamy color, the same as her lovely neck. Instead, it was covered in deep purple and green bruises that crossed her entire shoulders.
     
    Reaching out with just his fingers, he gently played them over her neck and shoulder, like whispers on her skin.
     
    Getting control again, he masked his face from the anger; he wanted to rip someone apart. Knowing he had to keep his emotions under control for her sake, he kept them tightly tucked inside. She’d turned around and not taken her eyes from his face. He could tell she was waiting for his next move.
     
    Walking over to her, he slowly pulled the opened button shirt from her shoulders. Removing it over the cast gently, he bunched it up and tossed it on the couch.
     
    When she started to object, he just cooed. “Let me just look, I won’t hurt you. Just let me see.”
     
    Megan