Free Dissolve by L.V. Hunter Page A

running after him. “We can’t share a room.”
    “Why not?” He whirls and walks backwards to face me, his expression suddenly serious. His green eye is almost emerald in the pink light from the motel sign.
    “Because,” I set my lip. Because Mr. Dowell had me in a dark, small room, and I couldn’t escape. “Because I don’t feel comfortable with it.”
    He pauses, then nods. “Fair enough.”
    Except he keeps walking towards the room. He opens the door, and puts the key in my hands.
    “That’s for you, then.”
    “Where are you sleeping?”
    He points at his motorcycle, and I frown.
    “What? That’s impossible.”
    He shrugs, leather jacket squeaking. “I’ve done it before.”
    “Now you’re being stupid,” I say. “You’re going to freeze out here.”
    “Then give me one of the blankets from the room.”
    I search his face to see if he’s joking. He smirks.
    “Why are you looking at me so intensely? Trust me, I’ll be fine. I’ve slept in worse.”
    “Why?” I demand.
    “Because my Dad loved locking me out of the trailer when he had company over,” He sighs. “Now c’mon, just get inside before you freeze to death.”
    “Yeah, like I’m going to be able to sleep easy while you contract hypothermia.”
    “Look, I’d rather not make you uncomfortable.”
    “And I’d rather not be convicted of manslaughter at nineteen! Get in here.” I huff, grabbing his hand and yanking him inside with me. I try desperately to ignore how warm and rough his palm is, how easily it could swallow mine whole. He just laughs, letting go and sitting down in the hall to unlace his boots.
    “Fine, you win, lioness.”
    I turn the lights on. One king-sized bed sits in the center, a small couch just to the side of it, where a dusty TV waits emptily for someone to turn it on. The bathroom is clean but shabby, with a tiny shower and faded mirror.
    “Home sweet home,” Kai flops on the bed, limbs stretched out like a lazy cat. “I call dibs on the couch.”
    I scoff. “Because at 6 feet, you’re definitely going to fit on that tiny thing.”
    He shrugs. “It beats outside.”
    “You were really going to sleep out there?”
    “Yup.” He pulls his jacket off, then his shirt like I’m not even here. The sight of his olive skin and the spine beneath it dipping into the back of his black jeans makes me shiver. “You mind if I take a shower?”
    “It’s y-your room,” I manage to sound annoyed instead of awestruck, which is a plus. “You paid for it. Do whatever you want.”
    He smirks over his broad, bare shoulder at me, his green eye mischievous.
    “Maybe I will.”
    I wait until Kai’s closed the door and started the water to turn on the TV. I can’t believe where am I - spending the night in a motel with Kai Jackson. How the heck did I manage to wrangle myself into this? It’s mostly Hayley’s fault. I swear we’re going to have a talk when this is over.
    For now, I concentrate on the mindless Discovery channel and try to control my breathing. I take stock of my hands, my head, my body. I’m not as terrified as I thought I’d be. I’m not scared at all. Something deep in me whispers I’ll be okay, loud enough to drown out my memories. Kai’s done nothing to hurt me, even though he’s had multiple chances to. He hasn’t even hit on me. Not seriously, anyway.
    The water buffalo on the TV start butting heads, and the announcer starts talking about ‘mating season’, and I instantly change it to cartoons. I have zero patience for that right now. How many girls would kill to be in my shoes? How many girls have already been in my shoes? This exact scenario is probably nothing new for Kai.
    Speak of the devil. He comes out of the shower, damp hair falling sinfully into his eyes. He’s dressed already, and pulling on his jacket before I can say a word.
    “I’m gonna stop by the gas station, see if there’s anything to eat.” He says. “You want anything?”
    “A million dollars would be