Soul by Audrey Carlan Read Free Book Online Page A

cracked lips in a feather-light touch. For the first time in four days, I close my eyes and am blessedly free. Chase has me, and I know he will never let me go.

Chapter Four
    Gillian
    B eep . Beep. Beep.

    “ C hase , baby, turn off the alarm,” I mumble. Turning my head, I feel scratchy linen against the tender skin of my cheek. “Ouch, burns,” I turn my head to the other side and feel the same gritty fabric, only this time, it’s coupled with a zing of pain which makes me open my eyes. The room is fuzzy, hazy even as I attempt to adjust to my surroundings. White. Everything is white. I scan the room while opening and closing my eyes. The process takes a great deal of effort because my eyelids feel like they have tiny chains weighing down each one making it almost impossible to keep them open.
    Finally, I turn my head all the way to the right and find the most beautiful face known to mankind. Eyes so blue I can swim in them, and I do, often. A slow, painful smile slips across my face as I take in every feature. His thick, coffee-colored hair is a mess of layers falling along the sides of his temples and forehead. A testament to how many times he’s likely brushed his fingers through it or given it a good tugging. He’s sporting a few days beard growth, more than I’ve ever seen. Makes him look more rugged and dangerous. I quite like it. Instead of the ever-present tick in his jaw he’s sporting a huge, toothy grin.
    It takes me a moment, but I notice that I’m holding his hand. The happiness I see in his eyes and the strength with which he holds my hand tells me everything I need to know. I’m safe and I’m home.
    “How do you feel?” he asks and leans a hip on the bed. While I take stock of my body, he places kisses all over my palm. He closes his eyes, pressing my hand to his cheek. I push back appreciating the gentle caress.
    I point my toes and rivers of tension and a burning sensation trail up my legs. Sucking in a breath, I let the air flow between my teeth until the pain subsides. Squeezing my hands into fists, I find I can barely lift my own arms. It’s as if I’m lying in quicksand, my body having succumbed completely to the pressure and ache deep within my bones. “I’ll survive. Seeing you, though, makes it better.” His eyebrows furrow, but I look away. Scanning the room, I see all the flowers and cards. Three sets of perfect white daisies perch prettily along the window, proving my soul sisters have been here.
    Seeing those flowers is when it all comes crashing down. “Oh my God, are the girls okay? Did he hurt them?”
    Chase shakes his head and leans forward, cupping my cheeks so softly I can barely tell they are there. “No, Baby, no. They’re all fine. Phillip, too.”
    His eyes search mine. Then it hits me. Tears fall unchecked down my cheeks. “What’s the matter? Gillian? Are you in pain?” His face twists into a grimace. “I’ll get the doctor.” He moves to stand, but I hold him in place.
    “Chase, your mom. I’m so sorry…” I choke out the rest of what I need to say. “It’s m-my f-fault,” I shudder as tears fall in a deluge of sorrow.
    “No, no, no, nuh-uh. Do not even start with that. You did nothing wrong. It’s that sick fuck who did all of this.” Chase kisses my forehead and whispers against it. “You’ve done nothing wrong. I’m just so thankful, so happy to have you home. Gillian, God…I’m nothing without you.”
    I hold his cheeks as he places kisses all over my face. I know it’s bruised, but the meds they’ve got me on are masking any serious pain. “I thought I’d never see you again.” I admit, the grief and residual fear cropping up to dig gnarly claws into my psyche.
    “Baby, there’s nothing that could ever keep me from you. Don’t you know that by now?” I smile and he wipes away my tears because I do know that. He’s proven more than once that he’ll do anything, pay any price to take care of me. Only none of us were prepared