Free The Unwanted (A Novella of the FBI Psychics) by Shiloh Walker Page B

and terrified in a matter of seconds. The fear coming off her had no longer been external. He’d felt the change in that easy enough. He knew Destin, knew the feel of her in his sleep, knew the feel of her in his bones. He knew what made her happy, what turned her on, what made her sigh and what made her laugh. He knew her fears.
    And the fear coming off of her hadn’t been hers.
    Then they’d pushed through the doors of the library.
    To Caleb, it had felt peaceful. Cool, calm and quiet. The turmoil he’d sensed outside had faded away and he’d hoped maybe she’d find some peace in here.
    But as his tension had faded, hers had mounted.
    Then it spiked, going from tension into outright terror.
    “She went this way,” Destin murmured, drawing him out of his thoughts. He trailed along behind her, watching as she made her way to one of the long counters. The woman behind it glanced at Destin, then at him, with curious eyes. Destin shifted direction and ambled away and he stayed on her tail, giving the woman behind the counter an absent smile.
    “That was the woman she spoke with, the one behind the desk,” Destin said quietly. “I felt it. Every time the door opens, part of her worries now. I felt that jolt from her. She started taking self-defense classes. Carries mace. And it’s not enough because she reacts. Doesn’t act.”
    “Better than to live in denial and pretend like it can’t happen.” He stroked a hand down her back, resting it low on her spine as she neared one of the study areas. “Is there anything here?”
    “No.” She shook her head. “Nothing I can use, anyway.”
    “Then let’s go. You need to rest.”
    Destin gave one last, long look around the library, her gaze lingering on the girl sitting behind the counter. The younger woman sat with her head bowed, focused on a book in front of her, oblivious to her.
    “Do you want to talk to her?” he asked quietly.
    Moments of silence ticked away and then finally, Destin sighed and shook her head. “No.”
     
    Caleb wasn’t surprised when she fell asleep in the car.
    Luck was with him and he found a space close to the door. She was still sound asleep when he opened her door and crouched beside her. Lifting a hand, he cradled her cheek, stroking a thumb down the pale line of her scar. “Destin.”
    She made a rough grumble low in her throat and rubbed her cheek against his hand, but other than that, showed no sign of waking up. “Fuck.” He shoved his fingers through his hair and stared at the pavement for a long moment. He could be an ass and wake her up. He knew how badly she needed the rest. Could feel the push of her exhaustion inside her even now.
    Or he could do the nice thing and carry her inside her. Nice thing…which would involve holding that sleek, soft body against his once more. Blowing out a harsh breath, he reached over and undid the seat belt. Before he slid her out of the passenger seat, he made sure he’d locked the car, got each of their bags and slung the straps over his shoulder, made sure he had the keycard ready. When he couldn’t procrastinate any longer, he set his jaw. Just do it.
    She settled in his arms like she’d never left, her head tucking against his shoulder. She turned her face into his chest and made another one of those grumbling sounds, then she took a deep breath and sighed. It was as though all the tension faded away and even through the shields he was fighting hard to maintain, he could feel her pleasure.
    Felt something echo through her…a bone-deep recognition. Welcome. Like she’d been missing him, waiting for him, the same way he’d been missing her, the same way he’d been waiting.
    A soft murmur escaped her as she settled against him and although it was just a breath of a sound, he heard it clear as day. “Caleb…”
    That soft, husky murmur left his knees weak and he wanted to just go to the ground and cradle her. Right there. Cradle her against him, make her all the promises he’d