Free Savin' Me by Alannah Lynne

arms.”
    Eyes wide and glassy, she ran a finger over
her lips and took a few shallow breaths. “Is it always going to be
like this?” Her voice was soft, desperate. “Every time we’re
together is it going to be a constant battle, like horny teenagers
trying to keep our hands off each other?”
    He scrubbed a shaky hand down his face, then
proceeded to stare a hole in his shoes as he honestly considered
the question. He wanted to tell her no, that it was just a phase.
He wished he could give her a smooth-talking sales job that would
get her into bed and stick with his plan of working her out of his
system. Then, they would both move on with their lives.
Separately.
    The problem was, he no longer believed it
would be that easy. His cat scratch fever was back with a
vengeance.
    “I don’t know,” he said, running a thumb
across her red and swollen bottom lip. “All I know is that I want
you with a ferociousness I have never felt before.” And with that
admission, he turned away and headed for the door. “Maybe I should
swim home to work off some of this pent-up frustration.” He stopped
at the door, turned, and winked. “Sleep tight, baby.”

Chapter Five
     
    Armed with an industrial-sized bottle of pain
relievers and a six-pack of caffeine, Kat stumbled out of her
apartment and down the stairs to the street. The mornings were
still cool enough that the three-block walk to work was a pleasant
way to start the day.
    Most mornings.
    This morning, the walk made her head throb
even more—something she hadn’t thought possible—and instead of
being three blocks, it felt like three miles.
    Maybe if she got the same kind of enjoyment
and excited rush from her job that Erik took from his it wouldn’t
be a struggle to get going every morning. And while she enjoyed the
walk along the waterfront, watching the boats and waterfowl, it was
a struggle to force herself to go to a job she wasn’t passionate
about.
    Today’s battle was amplified by last night’s
stupidity.
    After Erik left, it would’ve been wise to go
for a run to rid herself of the sexual energy hammering through her
system. Not finishing off the beer and half a bottle of Southern
Comfort while watching Erik’s small boat lights disappear in the
distance as he crossed the river.
    Once he’d gotten out of sight, she’d turned
into a big-assed chicken, afraid of going to bed for fear of lying
there, achingly aroused, and desperately wishing she’d begged him
to stay. She’d sat on the deck until the wee hours of the morning,
drinking and… drinking some more, until exhaustion rolled in and
carried her to the bed.
    Last night, the plan had seemed brilliant.
This morning, it seemed like one of the worst, ever.
    As she labored up the Victorian’s porch
stairs, Rusty pulled alongside the curb, exited his car, and with
his normal, clipped pace, met her at the front door. “Good morning,
Kat.”
    “Good morning,” she muttered, trying her best
to make like she actually believed it.
    He frowned. “No offense, but you don’t look
good. Are you all right?”
    “No offense taken.” It was difficult to argue
with the truth. “I’m fine. Thanks.”
    He had his hand on the front door knob, but
rather than turning it, he studied her. After a moment’s
hesitation, he said, “I was running on the waterfront last night,
and I saw Erik leaving your apartment.”
    Oh, God. Her heart slammed into her throat
making it impossible to breathe.
    “He seemed… agitated. I didn’t think too much
of it at the time, but now, looking at you… Is everything okay?
Really?” Rusty’s frown turned to a look of concern. “Erik didn’t
cross any lines, did he?”
    Kat’s eyes popped wide open as she realized
what Rusty was thinking. “No! Heaven’s no. Everything’s fine.”
Sheesh, if Erik had crossed those lines, they’d both have
been better off. And wasn’t that damned ironic.
    Rusty’s posture was rigid, his lips pressed
into a tight line, clearly