Unbreakable Bonds by Aliyah Burke, Taige Crenshaw Read Free Book Online

yes.” Ta-Mara glanced down at his face. “He sure is.”
    They took him into the living room then placed him on the couch. Levi didn’t stir, still breathing deeply.
    “Are you sure he’s okay?”
    “With what I can see, he’s fine.” Heather slid her hands into her pockets. “If you want me to check further, then I’ll need to take him to the hospital.”
    “No hospital,” Ta-Mara said. “At least not yet. He has no ID so I can’t explain him. I’ll see how it goes and call you if I change my mind.”
    “Okay.” Heather grabbed her hand. “Now, as for your crush on him…be careful, Ta-Mara.”
    “I don’t have a crush on him,” she protested.
    “Yeah you do.” Rachel held her other hand. “From that book you read all the time you did. Now this man is here in flesh supposedly being that perfect man you set up in your mind. And you’re already looking at him like he’s yours.”
    “Please, I’m not.”
    “You are,” they said together.
    “Okay I will admit I was… am a little taken with him from the book. But I know it’s just a fantasy. He’s a fantasy, and they aren’t real.” Ta-Mara glanced at him.
    “We’re gonna go,” Rachel said.
    She focused on her friends and went out to see them off. After they drove away, Ta-Mara returned to the living room. Levi was still passed out. She took the quilt off the back of the couch and draped it over him. Since it made no sense for her to watch over him, she did some chores. Five minutes later she checked on him then went to work again. She kept going back to his side. Knowing it was useless to do anything else, she grabbed her e-reader and sat in the chair closest to him. Ta-Mara studied him, taking in the long lashes on his cheeks, wanting to see his deep blue gaze. Warmth filled her and she put her hand on her chest.
    He’s not for you, Ta-Mara. Just help him find his way and don’t get emotionally involved.
    Staring at him, she realized she had to build some defenses against him, because the dynamic man could easily draw her in and make her wish for things that she couldn’t possibly have.
     

Chapter Four
     
     
     
    Levi jerked up, gasping, then turned his head, his eyes wide. Ta-Mara jumped at his sudden movement.
    “Levi,” she said cautiously, not sure if he was fully awake.
    “Yes.” He rubbed his hand over his face then lowered it. “What happened?”
    “You passed out on the porch.” Ta-Mara resisted the urge to go to him. She needed to keep him at a distance. “How are you feeling?”
    “My head still aches but I am well.” Levi said it slowly, as if he wasn’t sure. “How long have I been sleeping?”
    “About two hours.” She decided not to push about how he was feeling. “You rest on the couch. I don’t want you falling and possibly hitting your head. I’ll get you something to drink.”
    “Wait, how did you get me to the couch?” Levi frowned.
    “Lifted you under your shoulders to get you here.” Ta-Mara rose. She told the partial truth as she headed out of the living room to retrieve his drink.
    Levi was sitting, a frown on his face. She set the beverage on the table in front of the couch then stepped back.
    “So no moving from the couch.” Ta-Mara pointed in his direction. “Just in case I do need to take you to the hospital, I need to make some arrangements to get you some identification.”
    “No hospital,” Levi replied. “I cannot sit here doing nothing.”
    “If you are not feeling better soon or if you pass out again, I will need to take you in to get checked out. Just to make sure you’re okay. For now, we’ll see how it goes.” Ta-Mara crossed her arms over her chest. “And yes you will sit there and rest. You’re dehydrated so I’ll be giving you loads of liquid. You’re also tired, and obviously from passing out, you need a little time to recover. Here, watch some TV.” She picked up the remote and turned it on.
    Levi stood eyes wide. “What—?”
    She fought to breathe,