Irresistible Forces (McKingley) by Aliyah Burke, McKenna Jeffries Read Free Book Online Page B

slumber. She stretched and yawned before rolling out of bed and snapping on a light. Almost three in the morning. He’d been gone for all of fifteen minutes.
    “What the hell happened to get him out of bed so early?”
    She slipped on some silk pyjamas and padded barefoot to her living room. As she reached for another light switch, she noticed lights coming on over by Arissa and Jackson’s outside doors. Sure enough, soon they both exited. Arissa stopped to kiss Deiter before hastening after Jackson.
    Deyon hurried to the door and opened it. “What’s going on, Arissa?” she called out.
    “Explosion at the university. What are you doing up?”
    Shit. “Leonardo just left a few minutes ago, so I was up.”
    “Ohhh, I see how it is,” she said in a teasing voice. “We’ll see you later, Deyon.” And just like that, the doctors left, both climbing in their vehicles and racing off to the hospital.
    Uncertainty filled her and she wanted to call him and find out what was going on. Shaking her head at the emotion streaming through her, she scoffed at herself. What the hell is wrong with me? I sleep with him once and all of a sudden, I need to know he’s okay every second of the day? That’s pathetic.
    Despite the mental derision, she continued to worry. Turning on the news, she curled up on the corner of her couch. She didn’t have to look far for information—the local news had put up a special report on the incident.
    “…and we still don’t know the cause of the explosion. All we know right now is that it occurred in the science wing of the building. The police are keeping a perimeter around the area as hazmat sweeps the area to ensure there are no toxic fumes floating around. In addition, since the fire has yet to be extinguished, there is still the potential for another explosion. We’ve seen two already. The ambulances have been coming and going constantly. We’ll keep you updated with more information as we get it. I just want to reiterate, at this moment we have been told zero casualties. Lots of injuries but so far there has been no loss of life in this horrific incident.”
    It switched back to the news anchors in the studio and she captured her lower lip in her teeth and gnawed on it. Two explosions already. She wasn’t a science geek by any means, but even she knew that there were plenty of things that could go boom in that vicinity.
    Her heart pounded harder and she shifted on the couch, unable to tear her eyes away from the screen. She got flashes as they showed more live shots. She even recognised some people, but still no sign of Leo.
    The reporter on the scene was giving another update when a large explosion rocked the location. A blaze of light and a plume of dust rolled from the left. The woman ducked and turned panicked eyes in that direction.
    The camera operator zoomed in and Deyon whimpered as she saw more of the destruction. It looked horrible. Where was he? The camera continued to roll and she saw him step through the dust, tall and strong, as he continued to deliver orders and direct people. She couldn’t explain the relief she felt at that image. He was dirty and covered in dust but alive.
    She lingered in front of the TV even after the section had been deemed secure and the news crews had begun to leave. When all that remained were smouldering embers and firefighters, her gaze continued to be transfixed upon the television screen. She reached for the phone numerous times only to draw her hand back. Now was not the time to call him.
    Damn it though, she wanted to hear his deep voice. Just to assure herself he was okay and seeing him hadn’t been a figment of her imagination. Only when she had to get moving so she wouldn’t be late for work did she move from that spot. She ate a light breakfast, watching for any more updates, which might come down the pipes.
    Nervous, she drove to work and got ready for the day. Her employees and customers were talking about the incident and while