Forced Home Series 1: Loving the Cult by Nicole Tillman

Author:Nicole Tillman [Tillman, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Thrillers & Suspense, Crime, Kidnapping, Romance, Contemporary, Thrillers
ISBN: 1502983842
Amazon: B00OPVI1TW
Published: 2014-10-30T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Tuesday flies by, mostly because Jameson decides to stay in, and we decide to act like immature freshmen and play twenty questions. He says he'll be gone through the night but won't tell me why. Something tells me that he's doing it for my benefit, but under our playful banter, I'm still worried.

“You're taking all the fun out of this,” I say after he still can't answer the most basic of questions.

He doesn't listen to music, so he doesn't have a favorite song or band. He hasn't read anything I've ever heard of, so I don't recognize his favorite book. He's never had a girlfriend, he didn't attend a normal school, and he's never done anything even remotely resembling fun.

“I can't help that I'm sheltered,” he laughs.

“No, Jameson, teenagers who aren't allowed to watch rated R movies are sheltered. You are a whole other level beyond them.”

We're both sprawled across the bed, wearing the most comfortable clothes we own and snacking on apples and peanut butter he managed to steal from the kitchen. It's relaxed, but also borderline intimate.

“You're bland,” I tease. “You have the potential to be interesting, but like this lame-ass snack, you just lack substance.”

He laughs at the absurdity of my suggestion as he shoves an entire apple slice in his mouth, acting like it's the most delicious thing he's ever eaten.

“Substance, huh?”

“Substance, culture, whatever you wanna call it.”

“You mean I have no life? Is that what you're saying? I'm dull and boring and the least interesting person you've ever met.”

“That's exactly what I'm saying!”

His laughter dies away and he retreats back into his shell for a moment, absentmindedly dipping the last apple slice into the peanut butter.

“Maybe someday I'll get to be an actual person,” he mumbles to himself. “Someone who jokes and smiles and isn't so afraid.”

Nudging him with my shoulder, I smile reassuringly.

“There's no maybe about it. Someday, you'll have more than what these people can offer you.”

After a moment, he shakes his head. “As exciting as that sounds, it also scares me. Isn't that ridiculous?”

“Not at all,” I answer honestly. “Anything new is scary. Doesn't mean it's not worth doing.”

His brow furrows before he takes a deep breath. Holding it in, he reaches out for my hand.

“You'll help me, right?”

The moment is so genuine, the man so sincere, that I can't help but move closer. Pushing his arm off the bed, I snuggle into his side, letting my cheek rest on his shoulder as I'm enveloped in his warmth. This is all I can offer him right now, but when he relaxes against me, I know it's enough.

“Of course I'll help you. Just promise me you'll get us out of here.”

Hesitantly, he tightens his arm around my back, pulling me closer. He doesn't look away as he presses his forehead against mine. I take a mental snapshot of the forbidden moment of connection. In a place so potentially dangerous, I've managed to find the softest, most gentle man I've ever met. Beyond

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