Rush Read Online Free Page B

she’s fallen asleep through our chatter. Her head is still tilted, lying on her forearms, but from my vantage point, I can see her lids squeeze tight. “Can I wait with her?” I ask.
    “Well, it’s not the usual way we do it but, when they come to test you, just refuse the test until she passes hers.”
    “Got it, thanks.”
    He drops a farewell pat on the bar and strolls out.
    Exhaling, I rest my hands on my hips and feel fur. No wonder I’m hot—I’m still wearing half of my monkey suit. I fumble with the buckle on the ammo belt. It springs open and drops to the floor with a high-pitched clatter.
    Her head snaps up, and she gawks at me. “What are you doing?” she asks as I dip my thumbs into the waistline.
    “Shedding this hairy beast,” I say, shoving downward, stepping on one foot, and wrestling the opposite leg free. “Sweats,” I say, winking at her apprehensive expression. “Way too itchy to go commando.”
    “That’s entirely too much information,” she mutters.
    “Why don’t you move to the bench. You can lie down.” She ignores me as I kick the shell of my costume to the wall. “C’mon. You’d be more comfortable, and you can sleep.”
    “Why’d you tell them I was your girlfriend?”
    I pause, scratching my jaw and thinking. “I thought it might help.”
    “Well, I’m not your girlfriend, and you don’t have to wait for me. I’m fine on my own. I don’t need any help, especially from you.”
    My jaw hardens, and I stare down at her. She’s a wilted circle of shredded fabric. Dirt stains slash across the bodice of her dress. One of her sleeves is ripped and dangling by a thin strip of lace. She looks as if someone’s dragged her across a parking lot—technically, that someone was me. I scrub my hand over my face and my determination solidifies.
    I walk to where she’s sitting, and she looks up with a tense expression. Little Bo Peep needs some tough love right now. I kneel and pan a long, slow gaze over her, pausing to appreciate all the best parts—the low cut neckline that exposes perfect curves of pale skin, the cinched waist, and long, shapely legs. Jesus. What was my point here? Tough love.
    I knock my knuckles on the eye-patch circles of dirt covering her knees and speak slowly. “I don’t know what you were thinking, walking into a biker bar dressed like a bad decision, but I’ve got some news for you.” Her brows shoot high as I continue. “Your Little Bo Peep costume has taken a hard detour off of Mother Goose Lane and veered straight into Peep Show Alley.” I lower my chin, pinning her with an intense look. “There’s not a guy in this building who could look at you and not think about it.” Fuck. I’m thinking about it. Her lips slide until the bottom consumes top. I think she’s hearing me.
    “I’m the one that got you into this mess. I’m going to make sure you get out of it. And if that chaps your ruffled ass, I’m okay with that, because right now, you need all the help you can get.” Her arms tighten over her chest as I grab a water bottle and flip the end toward her. She hesitates, then closes her fingers around it and twists.
    Small ripples cascade down her throat as she drinks, stopping abruptly to wince. Instinct raises my hand to her chin, and she stiffens, shifting a wary gaze to me. In the low light, I hadn’t noticed the redness invading the side of her jaw, but I see it clear as day now, and disgust coats my stomach. “Jesus. Did that pirate hit you?” I slide two fingers along her jawline, angling the side of her face into the dim light. Not only is it red, it looks swollen. “I’m going to ask for some ice,” I say, starting to rise.
    She lurches forward reaching for my fingers. “Preston, no. Please don’t. I’m fine.” I hesitate, looking over her cheek again, but the combination of my name on her voice and her pleading look breaks my resolve.
    I flip the unopened water bottle in my hand and hold it against her jaw. “Let