I slid closer, feeling his arms close around me, tightening. Our lips touched-- "Derek?" his dad called. "Chloe?" Derek let out a growl. I laughed and backed up. "We seem to get a lot of that, don't we?" I said. "Too much. After we eat, we're going for a walk. A long walk. Far from every possible interruption." I grinned up at him. "Sounds like a plan
Kelley ArmstrongOne second he was in my face, making me feel stupid and useless. The next he was like this: hovering, concerned, worried.
Kelley ArmstrongI was very strict on that point. No devouring classmates." Jeremy rolled his eyes. "Other parents warn their kids not to talk to strangers. I had to warn mine not to eat them.
Kelley ArmstrongI called Clay from the SUV. "How'd it go at the paper?" he asked. "She called me perky." "Ouch.
Kelley ArmstrongAnd stop doing that,โ he said. โBacking away, giving me that look.โ Like youโre scaring me? Maybe you are.โ He stepped back so fast he wobbled and caught himself, and the look on his faceโIt vanished in a second, the scowl returning. Iโd never hurt you, Chloe. You should knowโโ He stopped. Paused. Then wheeled and started walking away. โNext time? Handle it yourself. Iโm done taking care of you.
Kelley ArmstrongI let her through. She checked Derek's pulse and his breathing, saying both seemed okay, then leaned down to his face. "Nothing weird on his breath. Smells . . . like toothpaste." Derek's eyes opened, and the first thing he saw was Tori's face inches from his. He jumped and let out an oath. Simon cracked up. I madly motioned for him to be quiet. "Are you okay?" I asked Derek. "He is now," Simon said. "After Tori jump-started his heart.
Kelley Armstrong