Free When Angels Cry by Maria Rachel Hooley Page B

Kaylee said slowly, still staring at the sketch in her hands.  Her fingers tightened around the edges.
    “Then what?  You look unsure.”  He brushed the hair over her shoulders.  “I know you don’t like it in your face.”
    “This is beautiful,” she finally said.  “Amazing.”  The clock down the hall chimed softly, but to Kaylee it seemed that the sound was never the more distant with respect to the throb of her heartbeat.
    “I only drew what I saw, Kaylee.  You’re beautiful but don’t realize it.”  Bastian picked it up the charcoals .   His voice thickened, and his hand trembled badly as he handed her the box.
    “I bet you say that to all the girls,” she finally managed.  Kaylee stared at the picture, mesmerized.  She noticed how badly her own fingers trembled, but she wasn’t surprised.
    “No, not really .  I’ve never been a big believer in words ,” Bastian said, sitting next to her.  He stretched out his legs and crossed one ankle over the other.  As he looked at his boots, he realized just how badly he needed a new pair.
    “Why not?”  Kaylee’s breath caught .  H e sat close enough so their arms touched, and she felt the warmth of his skin through his shirt.
    “There isn’t anything magical about words.  It’s what we do or don’t do that counts.”  Bastian shrugged.   “For example, I could say that you ’re beautiful , but it wouldn’t mean much. ”  Bastian looked into the depths of her eyes.
    “Why do you say that?” 
    Bastian smiled.  “Okay, it wouldn’t mean half as much as if I said you were beautiful and then did this.”  He leaned over and caressed her lips with his.  As they yielded to him, parting slightly, he slipped his tongue into her mouth.  A fter a moment, Bastian pulled away and re- memorized her features: lips still slightly parted, her head tilted slightly, and her eyes closed as though she were dreaming.  Bastian savored the beauty of her face.
    E yes still closed, she whispered , “Tell me I’m beautiful again.”
    “Why?”  Grinning, Bastian stroked her hair.  He caressed the hollow of her throat, and the soft rosy scent of her perfume filled him.
    “Being the gentleman you are, once you tell me something you’ll back it up with actions.”   Kaylee’s eyelids fluttered open.
    Bastian chuckled softly.  “Damn straight.”  He leaned in close, touched his lips to her ear, and said, “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”   He nibbled her earlobe , and s he whimpered.   He touched her throat, traced his fingertips over the soft skin.    He kissed her cheek .  H is lips found hers again , and found a warmth he’d never expected amid such a winter.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
    Bastian slipped his arms beneath Kaylee’s slight frame and lifted her.  Although his hold was sure, her body stiffened.
    “You don’t have to carry me,” she said.  “I can walk, you know . ”
    Bastian smiled.  “Oh, is that what your legs are for?  Silly me.”  His body pitched forward as though he’d stumbled, but then he righted himself.  Kaylee’s fingers dug into his shoulder, and he laughed.  “That’s quite a grip you’ve got for someone planning on walking.”
    Kaylee cleared her throat.  “I thought you were going to drop me.”
    “Would I do that?”  Bastian carried her out of the living room.  
    “You might,” Kaylee nodded and squirm ed a little. 
    “Yeah, well, quit squirming , or I won’t have a choice.   Is your room up there? ” Bastian tightened his grip as h e looked up the stairs.
    “Yes.  Now put me down.”  Kaylee followed his gaze.  She tried to free her legs, but he cinched his fingers more tightly.
    “I will…eventually.  Which room is yours?”  Bastian ascended the first step.  He kept at it, step by step until he’d reach ed the landing, where the upstairs hallway began and followed the corridor to the left. 
    “The third on the