[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

understand what it felt like to wake up and find a gaping hole where a brain is supposed
to be?  That's not what I mean, Jack. I really didn't remember you. Like I had never met
you. That place in my brain where I store my memories of you & it was just & not
there. She threw her arms in the air, unable to explain.  God, I don't know. She
clutched her head for a moment, then looked up, compelling him to understand with her
eyes.  Does & that even make sense?
Jack laughed, but there was no humor in it.  If I could only tell you how many times
I've woken up without knowing where I am or how I got there. He rubbed the scar on his
forehead.  Kitty, that doesn't make you crazy. It just means you need help. Have you
been to a doctor?
It was Kitty's turn to laugh. It was that or break down into gut-wrenching sobs. She
knew once she started, she would never be able to stop.  Waste of time and money. I've
been to two specialists and they couldn't tell me anything. I could have an inoperable
tumor or something and wouldn't even know about it. She tented her fingers over her
nose and shut her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, Jack was staring at her, but
his own eyes conveyed nothing.  God, I'm babbling. Forget I said anything. I'm probably
in shock over what happened tonight. Delayed reaction or something. She nodded at
him.  You should probably take off your shirt. It's soaked. You'll get a cold.
Jack looked down at himself as though he hadn't noticed his wet shirt.  Oh. He
unbuttoned his shirt half of the way, then pulled it over his head, his muscles rippling
with the easy grace of his movements. He placed the shirt on top of the pants, then raised
his gaze to her.  Is this better?
 Uh-huh. Kitty could have swallowed her tongue. She d seen Jack shirtless earlier
when he stepped out of the shower, but was too distracted with her dragon problem to
really pay attention. Simply put, Jack was solidly built. His chest muscles looked firm
and his stomach didn't appear to have an ounce of fat in it. Whipcord-lean and strong, he
reminded her of a prized racehorse. She took a deep breath and blinked. He had a tattoo
of some kind that wrapped around his bicep.  What is that?
He extended his arm straight out and rolled it at the shoulder so he could take a look
at it.  Oh. It's a good-luck dragon. I got it in college. A couple of friends and I got really
drunk one night and one of the geniuses suggested we& 
Kitty felt as though someone had taken a bat to her gut. White noise, the crinkling
sound that took over TV stations at three in the morning, blared in her ears. When she
looked at Jack on the sofa, there were two of him, one hovering above the other. Feeling
a little dizzy, she grabbed the back of a chair to keep herself on her feet.  A dragon?
 Yeah& Kitty, are you okay? He leapt to his feet and rushed to her side, slipping
his arm around her shoulders.  Let's take a seat on the couch, okay? I will& 
 No! Don't touch me! She slid out of his hold and pushed him away, tripping on her
own feet in her hurry to get away from him.  You're behind all of this, aren't you? That
stupid boat and the statue and my shitty memory and the dragon that comes and talks to
me& You're in cahoots with him or something. I don't know why you're doing this or if
you're trying to drive me crazy just fucking stay away from me!
Jack stood before her in his boxer shorts, his arms akimbo.  There's a dragon that
comes and talks to you?
 Oh, don't play innocent, Jack. You know exactly what I m talking about. Kitty
scrambled to her feet, batting away at Jack's hands. There was a deep burning feeling in
her chest that was making it difficult for her to breathe. She had to get out of here, find a
dark corner somewhere and pull herself tightly into a ball.
 Kitty, wait. He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face
him. He looked confused, but obviously worried about her.  Whatever it is that's going
on, I can assure you I have nothing to do with it. I'm just an average guy. The shit that
went down tonight, the trees going up in flames & baby, I can't do any of that.
Kitty lost the battle trying to rein in her tears and allowed them to spill down her
cheeks. She pried off Jack's grip on her shoulders and pushed him away, taking a step
back from him. Her eyes were drawn to the faded dragon tattoo on his arm. It looked
more like a snake than anything, but it had a big head, big eyes, and a forked tongue.
Unlike the red dragon stalking her, it didn't look scary. In fact, it was almost & cute. She
raised her gaze to Jack's silver one and found only concern & and a deeper emotion that
she wasn't ready to analyze. He wanted to understand her. For some reason, Jack cared
about her. He would never hurt her.
She shoved her hands through her hair and whirled away from him, too ashamed to
even look at him. Hell, he was the only thing that made sense in her life anymore. She
didn't know what she would do if he decided she was nuts and turned her away.  Jack& I
feel like I m losing my mind. These blackouts I've been having& I can't tell what's real
or imaginary anymore. The worst part is&  She looked back at him. He had not moved
from his spot, his hands still propped on his lean hips.  I'm afraid I'll do something to hurt
you. She watched him take a step toward her and froze when he slid his arms around her
from behind.
 Shh, it's all right, baby, he murmured against her hair. He tightened his arms
around her.  Kitty, I have to tell you something. His voice sounded strained, as though
he was struggling to keep his emotions in check.
Kitty held her breath, pressing her back against Jack's warm flesh for a moment,
before turning in his arms to face him.  What?
He cupped her face between his hands and brushed his lips against her forehead.
 I've been thinking about this & really thinking about it. The thing is & all the weird
stuff that's been happening&  He reached up to scratch the back of his neck and took a
deep breath.  Baby, don't hate me for saying this & but I think it's all you.
Kitty placed her hands on his bare chest.  You mean it's all in my head or I'm the one
causing all of it?
 No, it's definitely not all in your head. A grim smile slashed across his face.  I
don't know why I didn't piece it all together before. I'm a reporter, for God's sake. I'm [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]