Free Bound to the Past (Starville Series Book 1) by Lauryn Michaels

the kitchen―but again, she was disappointed to find the room empty.
    What the heck? Maybe sheʼd taken so long upstairs that heʼd changed his mind about staying and decided to leave after all? Her stomach twisted at the thought. No way would Jack have left again without a good-bye. …Right?
    Heart racing, she dashed back to the living room—and crashed right into Jack, who was walking out of the bathroom. Bare-chested, his faded jeans unbuttoned at the waist, and only a white towel wrapped around his neck, he was far more than her already exhausted heart could stand, and…
    “ Ow! ”
    His groan broke the spell, jerking her back to reality. Her confused gaze followed his hand as he slipped it up and touched his chest. And thatʼs when her eyes widened in horror at the sudden realization that he was in pain.
    “Jack! Iʼm sorry, I didnʼt see you walk out of the bathroom! Are you all right? Did I hurt you?”
    “No, no, Iʼm fine.”
    “Iʼm so sorry.” She gave him another mortified look. “I, um, brought you some clean sheets,” she explained, pointing at the couch.
    “Thanks. Hope you donʼt mind that I took a shower. I felt like a complete wreck.”
    “ʼCourse not. Please, make yourself at home.” Sara regretted her poor choice of words as soon as they came out of her mouth. Thankfully, Jack didnʼt seem to pay any attention to them.
    As he turned around and limped to the couch, she couldn’t help noticing the dark tattoo on his right shoulder blade. While she wasnʼt a fan of body ink, she had to admit that this one was pretty cool-looking, although its design was abstract—a series of intricate swirls and circles. It was so fascinating she had to force her gaze off it. “Do you need anything?”
    Jack shook his head at her questions. “No, thank you. Iʼm so exhausted Iʼm sure Iʼll crash right away.” As if to confirm his words, a yawn slipped from his mouth as he lay down cautiously. After adjusting the pillow under his head, he closed his eyes with a weary sigh.
    Sara studied him quietly for a few moments, trying to swallow the lump that had lodged in her throat at the sight of the cuts and bluish bruises scattered all over his chest. Had someone really tried to kill him? she wondered with a shudder.
    Who could possibly hate him so much in Starville?
    ***
    Sara glanced at the clock on her nightstand and tossed the sheets off her body in frustration. It was past two in the morning, but despite her exhaustion, she just couldnʼt sleep.
    What if Jack was truly a murderer, and she’d offered to let him stay under her own roof? That thought chilled her bones despite the Texas summer heat, making her jump out of bed. Lance raised his head to give her a curious look, but Sara didnʼt even notice as she ran to the door and locked it twice. There. Now she was safe.
    Or was she?
    She started pacing the room. Who was she trying to kid? The possibility that Jack might or might not be a murderer was not the cause of her distress. What was driving her insane was knowing that right now he was lying semi-naked on her couch.
    Oh, forget it! Maybe sheʼd feel better if she went downstairs and made sure he was okay, she decided, ignoring Lanceʼs indignant look as she unlocked the door. “Stay here,” she ordered him, walking out and leaving the door cracked behind her.
    The living room was dark and quiet when she reached downstairs. Jack was sound asleep, still lying in the same position sheʼd left him, and even snoring lightly. Good for him. Apparently she was the only one in agony! And speaking of agony… Her heart started doing crazy jump kicks in her chest at the sight of his big body taking up the entire couch. The sheets sheʼd given him barely covered his long legs and lean hips, and Sara found herself standing there and ogling him, unable to take her eyes off his bare chest or his strong arm resting lazily across his stomach. Her mouth dried out.
    Shaking her head, she sank into the armchair in front