Free A Familiar Star (Romance Mystery) by JesseAnne Waters

fine."
    Kylie's head was still spinning and her thoughts were melting into a dreamlike state.
    "Come here," she patted the bed then rolled to the other side to make room.
    Paul smiled.  "All right but no funny business."
    "Ha!"  Kylie guffawed then propped up on one elbow.  "Did that freak you out as much is it did me?” She managed to say.
    "I guess it always does.  It's not the first time I've had to chase someone and I guess it won't be the last.  Does it bother you?"
    "Do you enjoy it?"
    "Hell yes, I guess I get a big rush from it."  Paul stretched back and smiled , thinking about the thrill of the chase.
    "As long as you enjoy it." Kylie looked at him admiringly.  "Your pretty damn brave you know."
    "Well so are you, I think..."
    "Let me get this straight," she interrupted him.  "You think hiding in my car was brave?  I should have been out there with you fighting, spitting, scratching,"
    He laughed and then tenderly brought h er hand to his mouth.  "And you’re also very crazy you know."
    "I suppose that's an unusual complement , but I'll accept it," she smiled.
    "I'll complement you better than that," he said , moving forward and tracing a hand across her silky panties and up the back of her T-shirt.
    "You're the sexiest woman I've ever met in my life.  You killed me on that dance floor tonight."
    Kylie giggled and felt the heat building up in her warm body.  Paul's hands wandered across her skin until he almost touched her breasts.  She pulled back unexpectedly.  "We'd better get some sleep," she said quickly.
    "I'll go. " Paul shifted his weight.
    "No, it’s fine.  I'm sorry.  I just..."  S he didn't know what to say.
    "It's alright Kylie. You need to rest."
    She pulled her pillow in close to her and tried to focus on his shadowed face.
    “I’m sorry, I’m just so tired.”
    “Then sleep.”
    Kylie didn't think she was able to sleep anymore. She tried to relax, let the tension run of her system. Her eyes closed but her mind was an amusement park.  Visions of people dancing and laughing, faces with strange eyes closing in on her, flashed through her mind.  Then she was speeding down a dark road, overly tall trees towered above.  Then a man dressed in black came towards her with a knife.  Her body jumped and she opened her eyes!
    "Are you okay? "
    Oka y was a thing of the past, she thought.  She was sure she would have the creeps for the rest of her life.
    "You don't think he'll come back do you?"
    "No, I don’t think he’ll come back."  Paul hugged her small frame to comfort her.
    She closed her eyes shut again and focused on the light rain that was hitting the roof.  She listened quietly, thinking about everything that had happened in the past few days.  She became increasingly aware of Paul's body next to hers.  She didn't really know him, why did she let him get so close.  She wished she could tell him to leave, but she wasn't sure that's what she wanted either.  She felt bad for stopping his advances, after all, it was her who called him in to her bed, but something just didn't feel right.
    She thought about the night before, how easily she had given in to Max. Images of him began to take the place of reality and she could feel herself being pulled back into his arms.  Her mind was restless, the rain became a downpour, bringing with it muggy heat.  Thunderheads closed in and Kylie tossed and turned with each rumble.  The relief she sought was nowhere in sight.  Her body was too edgy and tired to get comfortable.  Just when she thought she would never sleep again, Paul began to stroke her head.  She clung to him in an attempt to numb her thoughts.
    "It's all right baby."  He repeated in a whisper.
    Kylie listened to his c hant then let go into the night; falling into the deep water once more.  This time, splashing and swimming for her life, entwined in something that was pulling her under.

Chapter 4
     
     
    Light sparked from the crack in the door.  Kylie opened her