Taking Chances Read Online Free

earlier. His hair was black and wavy, the tips curling out in every direction, a tangled mess. When he ran his fingers through his hair, the layered strands feathered around his face in an unkempt fashion. When his bangs fell into his eyes, Clair wondered if he were in need of a haircut or if that was the way he liked it. Alex pushed them aside, revealing his blue eyes and she couldn’t help but stare.
    His forehead creased, the lines of his mouth turned down, and his eyes filled with remorse. He walked up to her and held her chin between his fingers, tilting her face up so he could look her over. Tenderly, his thumb brushed over her lip.
    “My God, Clair, that guy really did a number on you. I should have beaten his ass instead of letting that prick walk away. Let me get you some ice to put on it.”
    Clair winced from his touch and pulled back, pushing his hand down. “I’m sure it looks worse than it really is. Hopefully, after I wash up, I’ll look better.”
    Alex crossed his arms, looking unconvinced. “Well… I don’t know about that…” He stumbled over his words, “I mean, I think you look great… I mean, you’re pretty banged up. I’m not so sure a little soap and water is going to help.”
    Clair rubbed her neck. She was surprised it didn’t feel sore after being choked earlier. Her lip hurt more than anything and her head was starting to pound. “Well, I’ll just clean up and see what happens. Then I’ll be out of your hair.”
    “Clair, I really don’t mind. I’d just be sitting in that chair over there, flipping through the one hundred plus channels of mindless television I have. Believe me, you’re much better company.” Alex stepped back into the hall and opened a closet door, pulling out a towel and washcloth. The room adjacent from the kitchen was the bathroom and she could hear him moving things around before coming back out, smiling. “You’re all set. I’ll just be in the living room, watching TV.”
    “Thank you,” Clair said sincerely. “I’ll be real quick.”
    Alex smiled, “Take your time.”
    Closing the door, Clair immediately felt the doorknob for the lock. Twisting it into place, she turned the handle to test it; it worked. She was still a little leery of Alex, even though she felt deep down he was a caring guy. He had a genuine way about him. But even that didn’t stop her from peeking out from behind the shower curtain to make sure the door still remained locked. What if he had a key? she thought, paranoia sinking in.
    The shower was refreshing. Her last effort at hygienic maintenance was a handful of water splashed in her face at a bathroom in a restaurant at a truck stop. She was thankful for the extra change of clothes in her bag because the shirt she was wearing was covered with blood and destined for the trash.
    Wrapping the towel around her, Clair peeked in the mirror. She gasped at what she saw. Her bottom lip was swollen and split on both sides. Bruises started to form around her collarbone, along with a red ring around her neck. She could picture it happening all over again, Paul’s hands around her throat, cutting off her breath. She turned away from the mirror and hung her towel over the side of the tub, trying to block the man’s face from her mind. A wave of nausea washed over her and she opened the door to breathe in the cool air. The hot water and steam must have been getting to her. When she looked out, she saw Alex sitting on the couch, watching TV.
    He looked at her and smiled. “Feel better?”
    “Yes.  Though I think you’re right, the soap and water didn’t make me look much better.” Clair approached him on the couch, then froze. Her mouth watered uncontrollably and she could feel her dinner coming up. With her hands over her mouth, she turned and ran for the bathroom. Slumping to the floor in front of the toilet, Clair barely made it before spewing the contents from her stomach.
    “Are you okay? Can I get you something?” she heard