Texas Secrets, Lovers' Lies by Karen Whiddon

Author:Karen Whiddon
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-09-03T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Instant panic flooded Zoe. She was claustrophobic, though she’d believed she’d managed to overcome that phobia by riding in numerous elevators in NYC. This felt different. There were no windows in this small, dark room. Truly a confined space, from which there was no escape. For her, sheer terror.

She began practicing her breathing exercises exactly as her therapist had told her. They’d always worked before. She really needed them to work now.

“Do you have your phone?”

Standing frozen in place, she fumbled, trying to locate her purse. “I can’t find my purse. What is this place?” She forced the words out, wrapping her arms around her soaked self and clenching her jaw to keep her teeth from chattering.

“A tornado shelter. It’s made of reinforced concrete. Supposed to be able to weather a direct hit by an EF-4.”

From the sound of his voice, he was turning. Or moving.

A wave of nausea rolled over her. Tiny, cramped blackness. No. Don’t think of that.

“If you keep hyperventilating, you’re going to pass out.” Brock’s deep voice soothed. She jumped as he reached her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “It’s okay, Zoe. We’re safe.”

Just then, the building shuddered. But the walls of their little room held. She turned until she faced him, so she could burrow her face in his muscular chest. His body heat, despite the fact that he’d gotten as soaked as she, warmed her. In fact, snuggled up against him like this made it easier for her to breathe.

“You’re still afraid of small spaces?”

She nodded. “But I’m more afraid of tornadoes.”

He chuckled, smoothing her hair. “We’re damn lucky we made it here in time. That was a close call.”

Breathe in. Breathe out. Don’t give in to panic. This was Brock. Rock solid. Here for her. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her. If anyone could, he would chase the demons of her fears away.

“Is this the only tornado shelter in the complex?”

“Yep.” The deep rumble of his voice made her feel safe.

“That’s weird. I don’t understand. Where is everyone else? I assume the apartment-leasing office knows about this place.”

“And the other tenants.” His warm breath tickled her ear. “I can only assume they either didn’t take the sirens seriously, or they weren’t home. A lot of people are still at work.”

Despite his positive tone, Zoe couldn’t help but hear the words he didn’t say. It was entirely possible the others hadn’t made it.

No. Forcing her dark thoughts away, she felt the steady thudding of his strong heart under her ear. Here in the blackness, so close they could have been one body, she could breathe in his scent and pretend things had never changed between them.

Temptation. For the space of a breath, she felt that this was where she belonged. In this town, with this man.

He shifted, and she realized he was fully aroused. A wave of answering lust washed over her, making her knees weak.

“Do you think we took a direct hit?” she asked, her voice wavering.

He didn’t answer for a moment.

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