BEAST by Pepper Pace Read Free Book Online

tried to stand and the man in black kept a hold of her arm.
     
    “Careful Ma’am. You’re not ready to stand up yet.”
     
    “I’m okay.” She said in embarrassment. She touched the back of her head, and felt a lump forming.  The Man in black’s hand was instantly there. She looked up at him but had double vision and couldn’t seem to focus. His fingers gently touched the lump forming.
     
    “Ma’am?” His hands suddenly gripped her. “Ma’am!” and then the world went black again. Christopher caught her and swept her limp form up into his arms.
     
    Bruce was suddenly there. “Get her inside,” m eaning into the secure zone. Civilians were strictly prohibited from entering it. But Christopher didn’t hesitate. He carried the limp woman into their headquarters after Roddy scanned them in.
     
    Christopher headed for the commissary. The woman’s body felt soft in his arms. Her head was propped on his shoulder and he could smell her distinct aroma, beneath the flowers—fresh like baking bread. He sat in one of the metal chairs; there were no cots , no infirmary here. He propped her up on his lap carefully as everyone trailed in. They had a 16 man crew and every one of them was present and watching intently as if he carried a rare specimen.
     
    “Ma’am?” Christopher slipped his hand behind her neck so that his thumb gently stroked her cheek. “Wake up, Ma’am. Open your eyes.” He spoke softly and as if on command her eyes began to flutter open. A slow gasp filled the room. 
     
    He saw her eyes open and she squinted up at him. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as if waiting for her to scream and runaway. Instead she started blinking rapidly. When she tried to stand, Christopher gripped her gently but firmly.
     
    “You’re not ready to stand yet.” She had a confused expression on her face as she looked out at the room full of men wearing fatigues. Bruce came forward.
     
    “Ma’am, when was the last time you ate?” He demanded.
     
    She pressed back against Christopher as she looked up into the mean face of the army guy. The man holding her rumbled. “Let me handle this sir.”
     
    She turned to Christopher when he spoke. “Have you eaten anything?” His voice was gentle.
     
    Ashleigh was so confused and still half out of it. She didn’t realize that she was sitting on a strange man’s lap. She was just so tired.
     
    “I think she just crashed, Sir.” Christopher spoke to his Supervisor. Bruce nodded and sighed.
     
    “Well, someone get her some orange juice. Beast, you are not to let this civilian out of your sight. Follow protocol. The rest of you; OUT!”
     
    Everyone grumbled but left. Someone pressed an orange juice into his hands before retreating. Christopher shook it quickly and twisted off the top.
     
    “Drink this, Ma’am.” He pressed it to her lips. She squinted at him but took a sip of the offered beverage. Her stomach suddenly began to rumble and groan.
     
    “You’re hungry,” h e said. “Your body crashed.”
     
    And then it hit her. She’d fainted. And she was sitting in a man’s lap. And where the hell was she?! Again she tried to stand but couldn’t because he was holding her.
     
    “You shouldn’t try to stand. You’re going to blackout again…remember? I mentioned that the last time?”
     
    “Yeah…” She said distantly. Why couldn’t she see? She rubbed her eye and gasped when something foreign caused her discomfort. She kept rubbing until she rubbed it out.
     
    Christopher leaned forward. “Wait. You rubbed out your contact.” He reached forward and gently grabbed the delicate lens from her cheek.
     
    Ah. Her contact had rolled up behind her eyelid. She tried to take it but her hand was too unsteady. She looked at her uncooperative appendage in surprise.
     
    “Look up at the ceiling. I’m going to put it in for you.”
     
    She nodded her agreement. Once she wasn’t looking, Christopher quickly placed the lens into his mouth