Read Online BETWEEN CLOUDS AND STARS: A Sexy Standalone Romance by Sharlyn G. Branson - Free Book Online

culprits hunted down.”
    He stood up from the couch and started to dress quickly. Great concern was written on his face. “I have to leave.”
    I wanted to console him, to help him somehow.
    I wanted to come along with him, but he didn’t ask me. And I didn’t want to impose on him. So I decided to go home. I couldn’t stay in his apartment. I also started putting on my clothes.
    As he pulled up the zip of his trousers, Nick said, “Don’t tell me you’re getting ready to leave.” His face twisted into a scowl. The anger in his words confused me. Was he mad at me?
    I slipped on my blouse and started to button it up. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll get a taxi.”
    “At this time of night? I don’t want you to go, Estelle. I want you to stay here and wait for me to return.”
    “But you might be out all night. I’ll go home and when—”
    A stormy cloud flashed across his face. “Will you do what you’re told or will you continue to be stubborn? Since I’m telling you that I want you to stay, then you’ll stay. What’s the problem? Ben won’t bother you. On the contrary, he’ll actually protect you.”
    The last worry on mind was Ben. He was like a big child, after all.
    “I don’t feel unsafe. I can take care of myself.” I have many years of experience in that. That thought saddened me, so I decided to quickly push it out of my mind. This wasn’t the time for self-pity.
    Nick stopped getting dressed and ran the fingers of both his hands through his hair. “Dammit, Estelle. I’m not in the mood for arguments. You’re staying here. Period. I want to find you in my bed when I come back. Don’t make me worry about you too.”
    His eyes showed a mixture of anger and sadness. I’d never seen him like this, so angry, but his behavior didn’t scare me because I could tell he was concerned about me.
    I made a quick decision and replied, “Fine. I’ll stay here and wait for you to come back. Calm down.”
    Surprisingly, Nick came over to me and hugged me tight. He wrapped one of his arms around my waist and dug his other hand into my hair. His mouth covered mine in a brief kiss. “You’re my greatest treasure.”

8
    Nick
    T he police informed me that the entire air crew, along with Richard Carroll, had died in the crash. The only survivor was Jeremy West.
    I found out the name of the hospital he’d been taken to and immediately went there to see his condition for myself. Jeremy was in very bad shape. He had numerous burns and broken bones, and there was no hope of saving his leg. Fortunately, recent medical advances meant it’d be possible to eliminate most of his burn scars. There had also been significant progress in the transplantation of legs and arms. Most likely, he wouldn’t remain disabled, but the operations he’d have to undergo were very serious.
    I felt sorry for the boy. He was young, in the beginning of his prime, and should have been out enjoying life with his friends instead of lying in a hospital bed. But everyone had their own fate, and nobody had the power to change it.
    When I came back home, I found Estelle asleep in my bed. With her silky brown hair spilled across the pillow, she looked very peaceful in her sleep, and I didn’t have the heart to wake her up. I could watch her for hours on end, admiring her smooth skin, long black eyelashes and soft lips, which I yearned to kiss. But I had to tell her about Jeremy. After all, he was her friend. She’d definitely want to know what had happened to him.
    Leaning toward her, I inhaled her aroma. She smelled divinely of strawberries and flowers. I rubbed my nose against her cheek and whispered, “It’s me, honey.” I didn’t want to startle her.
    She opened her beautiful violet-blue eyes, and my soul filled with feelings hitherto unknown to me. The feeling that something precious and dear was mine. I didn’t want to be apart from her anymore. I wanted to shield her from trouble, protect her from the evils of the world, and