Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

you never got that close to your opponents. But I?ll teach it to you if

you want,? he said quietly.

Looking up at Lucas, Helen realized she was still seeing spots.

She had to brace herself by putting her hands on his waist. As the

spots went away she could see the color rising in Lucas?s cheeks,

and she felt waves of heat coming off his skin. Helen could smell

his scent and it made her feel quiet and still, almost drowsy.

?And flying,? Helen said, suddenly breaking herself out of her

languid mood. ?You still have to teach me how to get airborne.

Once I learn that, I can just fly away from the bad guys.?

?I?ll teach you how to fly,? he said softly, nodding his head and

looking down. Helen searched for his eyes, but he wouldn?t look at

her. She wiped a hand across her face and it came back streaked

with blood.

?Am I really that hideous right now?? she asked as she leaned

away from him, suddenly self-conscious. To Helen?s surprise he

didn?t reply, he just pulled her against him and held her.

?Promise me something,? he said into her hair. He waited for her

to nod before continuing. ?Promise me that next time you fight

you?re not going to just stand there and let the other guy beat the

crap out of you until he?s too tired to lift his arms.?

?If I can avoid it, believe me, I will,? Helen said with a little laugh,

but Lucas pulled away from her so he could look her in the eye.

?I won?t watch that again. You understand me?? he said sternly.

She nodded slowly and saw his face relax a little. His eyes were so

intense she had to glance around for something else to talk about.

152/395

?Your shirt,? Helen said, pointing to the bloody print of her face

on his chest. ?Which reminds me. I?ve ruined these workout

clothes Ariadne gave me. Should I change into another set, or are