Free Unbeautifully Loved (Breathe Again) by Emma Grayson

his neck.
    Standing in his embrace I felt so out of my element and league. He’s a gorgeous guy, and I’m just Lexie. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do, just stand there with him and wait for whatever it was I was waiting for or pull away and hide inside, praying to never see him again. But I couldn’t, I was sure if a fire were to break out, my body would remain standing in his arms, unmoving, not caring if I was engulfed in flames.
    The thought alone scared the shit out of me, thinking something so profound about someone I had literally just met not even an hour before, but I knew the thought wasn’t anything I should worry about because I knew deep down there would never be anything between Lukas and I. I could almost hear Dex sneering in my ear, telling me someone as unbeautiful and pathetic as me was never going to be good enough for anyone, especially someone as gorgeous as Lukas.
    The next words that Lukas’ spoke were in a tight growl. “Wanna kiss you Lexie,” he paused his eyes roaming over my face, “but the look I'm seeing on your face and with the night you've just had, I won’t, I’ll wait . ‘Cause when I kiss you, I want you to be thinking of nothing other than what I'm doing to you and when I’m done, it will be all you can think of. ” The air rushed out of my lungs as my heart slammed against my chest and my knees weakened. My hands gripped his biceps tighter to hold myself up.
    I blinked, unsure if I heard him right. I was pressed up against him still, my hands squeezing his arms. My mouth dried as my lips parted, and my tongue swiped across my bottom lip. At this, Lukas’ arms locked around my waist. I hadn't noticed his hand had moved to the back of my neck and into my hair fisting a handful. His eyes flared, like fire, as his face hardened and the muscle in his jaw twitched.
    “Fuckin’ hell,” he growled.
    “What?” I asked and it came out in a whoosh.
    “Should go inside and get to bed, lock the door behind you. Your jeep will be here when you wake up.” His eyes dropped to my lips then back to my eyes. “I’ll come by sometime in the morning, we’ll go to the station to make a report. Then I’ll take you to breakfast. ”
    Before I could say anything he lowered his head, his soft warm lips brushed against my forehead, and my eyes fluttered shut.
    I felt coldness.
    My eyes snapped open and he was gone, already walking around the front of his truck. He jumped inside, started up the truck and I watched him drive off before going inside and locking the door behind me.
    It was now morning. I burrowed deeper into my bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. Last night had been a bad night and could have been a lot worse if Lukas hadn’t shown up when he did.
    Thank God he did.
    Not only did I have Dex to worry about, but now the possibility of some creep in a ski mask.
    “Lexie darling, if you’re up can you come down here a minute, ” Mollie called up in a sing song voice from the bottom of the stairs.
    Shit.
    I knew once I got up it was going to hurt like a bitch. I tossed my blanket to the side, sat up with my legs dangling over the side. Everything felt stiff, my hips, back and legs screamed in pain and I could feel the bruise pulsating on the side of my hip.
    But it was nothing compared to what Dex put me through. I was used to this type of pain.
    Mollie called up the stairs again, “Lexie?”
    Groaning, I walked out of my room, and down the stairs. “Shit! I’m coming, I’m coming. What’s the damn rush?” I asked coming to a halt at the bottom of the stairs in front of her, and noticed she had a weird look on her face. “And what’s with the look?” I asked annoyed.
    Her lips twitched, as a smile danced across her lips. “Anything you wanna tell me?” she asked cocking her head to the side, her eyes bright with amusement.
    “No, now why’d you call me down so urgently?”
    Her head straightened, as her eyes narrowed. “Really? Alright, come with me,”