Hold My Heart by Esther M. Soto Read Free Book Online

at me with a mixture of compassion and dread. “The nightmares are back, aren’t they?”
    I rub my neck. “I’ll be fine.” Even I don’t believe me.
    “You used to sleep like the dead in the sandbox, what gives?” Tommy stands just across from me, but I can’t even bear to look up at him.
    “What gave me away?” I ask under my breath.
    “It’s all over your face,” he responds, matter of fact.
    I need to walk away before I dwell on what woke me up in the first place, because I don’t want to talk about it. Before I can get away, Tommy does what he does best. He makes me smile when I’m feeling shitty.
    “Come on Harper, bring it in.”
    I peer up at Tommy, standing there with his arms wide open and a smart-ass expression on his face, motioning me closer. I can’t help it. I shake my head and smirk.
    “Nope, I’m good, Colton,” I reply, but he’s not buying it.
    “Come on, Harper, let’s hug it out,” he says playfully, gesturing with his head for me to walk over.
    He’s done it. Now I’m smiling as I reluctantly walk straight into his arms. Tommy is a hugger, always has been. Lately, not so much, so it’s good to see him getting back to being himself.
    He brings his strong arms around my shoulders and hugs me to him, resting his cheek on the top of my head. His hold makes me feel safe. That is something I’ve never felt with anyone else. He starts giving me little squeezes and I know what he wants. I laugh against his chest and bring my limp arms around his waist, hugging him back. He then gives me a quick squeeze, grabbing me by my shoulders and pushing me to arms’ length.
    “We're not going anywhere until you put some pants on.” Tommy arches one eyebrow, a big grin and amused expression on his face.
    I look down at myself and realize that I'm only wearing a cami and panties.
    Shit .
     

 
    Chapter 4
    Tommy
     
    We take some time out to clear our heads by heading to the gym. Lil needs to get that shit out of her system. My frustration comes from seeing her like this. Even though we just caught the case, there’s been one vic on our watch, and Lil takes it all very personal. She’s wound so tight, she’s about to snap. Fucking nightmares are back, and the least I can do is be there for her, give a hundred percent on the job. I hope against all hope we catch a break and get this sick bastard.
    “So, what’s first?” I ask, knowing full well exactly where she’s going to head first.
    “The kickboxing bag,” she says, “I need to kick the shit out of something.” Yep. Figures.
    “All right. I’m heading for the weights, unless you need me to hold the bag for you?”
    “Nah, I’ll be okay. See you in a bit.” She doesn’t even glance in my direction as we part ways to the locker rooms to change.
    A while later, she emerges from the women’s locker room. She’s wearing her kickboxing gloves, yoga pants low on her hips, and a sleeveless sports top. Most women here love showing off the results of their hard work by wearing sports bras. Not Lil, she’s covered her torso as she always does. I know what’s underneath though, having sparred with her numerous times—lean muscle. Those abs of hers are solid as concrete, especially when she’s taking punches.
    I’m in the middle of my rotation: planks, weightlifting, pull-ups and cardio. She’s not the only one needing to burn some pent-up energy. I just wish we could burn it another way.
    Cool it, Colton.
    Following her with my gaze, I see her looking around, most likely trying to spot me. What she doesn’t see is every male with a pulse in her vicinity checking out her ass. Fucking infuriates me. No respect. She’s completely oblivious. I’ll count them lucky because if she caught them gawking, they would get a mouthful. The regulars try to be discreet, but the newbies are the ones that try to hit on her because they don’t know better.
    She finally spots me and gives me a quick ‘what’s up’ head signal. I return it,