Elizabeth Raines Read Free Page B

diminished in internal explosions that left her physically drained. By the time Luka came back into the room, Syla’s job was done.
    She pulled back her hand and flopped down next to Jake. Fatigue swept over her in a relentless wave, and her eyelids grew too heavy to fight.
    Sleep claimed her.
     
    “She healed you,” Luka said, not sure he believed what he saw. He laid the cloths on the nightstand. “I guess we won’t need these now.”
    “Yeah. Sorry you went to the trouble.”
    “Why didn’t she do that when you crashed?”
    “I begged her not to,” Jake replied. “It takes a lot out of her. Since I wasn’t in immediate danger, I wouldn’t let her even try—not when we were out there and vulnerable.”
    “You can move now?”
    Jake shifted around for a moment. “Yeah. No pain. A little stiff, but Syla did good.”
    The woman lay as still as death. Watching carefully, Luka finally relaxed when he saw the gentle rise and fall of her chest. “How long will she be out?”
    “Not too long. A couple of hours maybe, but that’s just a guess. I’ve only seen her heal twice. One was a dying child. That one knocked her on her ass. She slept eight hours. The other was when her other bodyguard was shot in the shoulder. That time, she was out only two hours. Cracked ribs and a concussion probably fall somewhere between those two.” His chuckle sounded forced.
    “ Other bodyguard?”
    “Yeah. He worked with me to protect her.”
    “She’ll be okay?”
    “She’ll be good as new.”
    “Want a beer?” They needed to talk, and Luka figured Syla would rest better if she were allowed some peace and quiet. “I’ve got some in the kitchen.”
    “Sure.” Jake kissed her cheek and rolled off the bed.
    Luka was in turmoil. Watching that innocent kiss had felt like a blow to the gut. How could Jake have forgotten Kimini already? That tender little gesture spoke volumes—Jake was in love with Syla.
    Jake’s eyes didn’t leave her until he walked out of the bedroom.
    “How could you?” Luka demanded as he shut the bedroom door.
    “How could I what?”
    “You love that woman! What about Kimini? Have you forgotten our wife that easily?”
    With a sigh, Jake took a seat at the kitchen table. “Our wife is gone. Remember?” His eyes swept the interior. “Nice place. A bit…stark, but that’s what you always liked best. No fuss, no muss.”
    “Changing the topic as subtly as ever, I see.” Luka set the brown bottle in front of Jake.
     
    Taking a long swig, Jake let the smooth brew warm his stomach. “Nice.” He checked for a label. There was none. “What is this?”
    “Home brewed. My own recipe.”
    “Shit. You really have gone rugged, haven’t you? I suppose you grow all your own food, too.”
    “And hunt my own meat.”
    Jake set the bottle back down. He had to fight the urge to put his hand over Luka’s where it rested on the table’s surface. From the moment he’d seen him again, all Jake wanted was to throw himself into Luka’s arms and kiss him senseless.
    The year apart hadn’t changed a damned thing. The chemistry was still there, along with the physical pull that made Jake’s cock stand at attention anytime he saw Luka, just as it had when Kimini was close. For a short time after her murder, Jake had hoped he and Luka might stay together. Lots of cultures accepted a pair of males as mates. Yet no matter how hard he tried to help Luka deal with his overwhelming grief, the man only wanted to live in the past.
    They’d parted on cordial terms—after nearly three of years of being a family, they’d hugged, slapped each other on the back, and walked away as though that time had never happened.
    A no-frills divorce .
    Luka’s face hardened. He was rising to a slow boil, no doubt because Jake had yet to explain why he’d flown out here. He had to resist a smile, knowing full well that Luka wouldn’t be able to hold his curiosity down for long. Hell, were their roles reversed, Jake would