Read Online Infinite Risk by Ann Aguirre - Free Book Online Page A

knew up front not to get too attached; I had to change his life just enough, not imprint on him.
    â€œBut you’ll keep in touch, right?”
    The vulnerability in his voice made me reckless. “Definitely.”
    With deepest winter setting in, I wasn’t sure if I could keep that promise.

 
    ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
    In the morning, I woke to find us curled together like puppies.
    I lay there for thirty seconds, trying desperately to remember that this Kian was not mine. In time, he’d grow into a version of the person I’d loved, but they would never be one and the same. Like my very existence here, I had to look on my feelings as an echo, a might-have-been. Yet it didn’t stop me from staring at the thick curl of his lashes, the dark hair falling in a tangle against his cheek. The slope of his nose was the same; so were his eyes. Really, Raoul hadn’t done a lot more than refine his features into the supernatural beauty that was so startling.
    He’s not yours, I reminded myself, and rolled out of bed before I could be tempted to linger. If he woke and caught me staring, it would break one of two ways. Option A: He concludes I like him and makes a move. Option B: He thinks I’m creepy and starts pulling back. Both were bad for different reasons, so I went into the bathroom to wash up. When I came out ten minutes later, Kian was awake. He managed a bashful smile as he sidled by for his turn.
    â€œHungry?” I asked ten minutes later, as the door swung open.
    â€œYeah, but I’m feeling guilty.”
    â€œDon’t worry about it.” I shoved a napkin with a PB&J on it toward him. “Breakfast of champions, so eat up.”
    After a makeshift meal, I peered out the window, relieved to find the streets plowed. As a result, three-foot dirty gray drifts partially blocked the sidewalk, but at least vehicles were moving on the wet streets. Honking horns and the red glare of taillights made things seem more normal than they had the night before, eerie in the winter desolation. It was hard not to see Wedderburn’s fingerprints all over that storm, but maybe I was paranoid.
    â€œI should get back,” Kian said, sounding reluctant.
    â€œI need to stop by the store. So I’ll walk you to the bus stop.”
    â€œDo you still want to do the thrift shop and the movie tonight?” he asked.
    â€œDefinitely. Let’s meet at the stop nearest the House of Style.”
    Kian laughed. “That name kills me. But, okay, around four?”
    â€œYep.”
    My hoodie was still damp when I shrugged into it, but I didn’t say a word. At least my sneakers were dry, thanks to their night by the radiator. This room had no closet, but since I had like four T-shirts, two pairs of jeans, three pairs of panties, two bras, a hoodie, and a jean jacket, I didn’t need much space. I wished I had thicker socks and a proper coat, though.
    Frowning, Kian watched me layer up. “You dress like you’re still in California.”
    More like, this was what I could pick up quick and cheap, but my I’m a time traveler, so I pack light rationale probably wouldn’t play well. So I shrugged.
    â€œIt’ll do until May, I’m sure. I’m thinking of heading south next.”
    â€œSounds awesome. Or terrifying.” He seemed like he couldn’t make up his mind.
    â€œIt’s scary.”
    I’d never encourage him to run away; the streets would definitely be worse. While it might suck at his aunt and uncle’s house, he seemed to be safe physically, at least. I wished staying didn’t mean emotional neglect, but I couldn’t fix everything. Much as I hated it, some hurts he just had to suffer through and keep fighting.
    â€œCan’t you stay?” he asked then. “I mean, isn’t it hard starting over every four months?”
    â€œIt is. But if I stick around, I risk being found. And I can’t have that. It would be bad