Chapter 39
HEATHER
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The guttural growl of a motorcycle jolts me awake.
I cast a bleary glance at my bedside clock.
It’s one in the morning. Still half-asleep, I stumble out of bed and yawn my way over to the window, pulling back the curtain.
My stomach dips at the sight of Justin straddling a beast of a bike, staring directly at me.
I’m frozen by the unexpectedness of the encounter. Why is he outside my house at this time of night? Fortunately, the noise of the motorcycle won’t wake my parents, who sleep as though they swallow a handful of Valium every night.
The thrill of his presence ripples through me. There’s no denying Justin is a beautiful distraction of a man, raw and unfiltered, so full of anger and pain my heart goes out to him. I’m torn between wanting to help him in some way or staying out of the murky waters he’s swimming in.
From the defiant tension in his stance, he seems to be fighting some internal battle. I’m inviting temptation standing here like this, watching him while he’s watching me, but I can’t seem to move.
There is definitely something between us. I’m not sure I can give it a name yet, but whatever it is excites and unnerves me.
I wait to see what Justin will do.
Only when he slips his helmet back on and roars away, disappearing into the darkness, do I manage to draw in the first easy breath in over five minutes. A confusing combination of relief and disappointment spreads through me.
What is happening here? Why do I feel so thrilled and so scared at the thought of a secret visit from Justin?
I move away from the window, my skin tingling and my heart still stuttering in my chest. I try to slip back into sleep, but I can’t get out of my head the image of Justin looking so big and alone on his bike, so unlike the cocky picture he usually presents.
I prefer his arrogance to any hint of vulnerability. It’s safer that way.