Bound to the Past (Starville Series Book 1) by Lauryn Michaels Page B

was, she turned around immediately, a hand flattened on her wild-pounding heart.
    “Jack,” she whispered with a smile, unable to believe her eyes. She had to be dreaming. He couldnʼt possibly be there… Could he?
    Sara slowly bent down to pick up her keys, her gaze never leaving him. He was even taller and more impressive than she remembered. And, if possible, even more handsome, despite the grim expression on his face.
    Her smile died under his glacial stare. Rage was flashing in his eyes, making them glitter in the moonlight, and— oh boy! —he looked furious! Unable to hold his hostile gaze any longer, she focused her attention on the clothes he was wearing in place of the hospital gown—a pair of faded jeans and a black T-shirt that clung to his broad chest. A small white patch had replaced the bandage on his forehead. A black bag was slung over his right shoulder, and he held the strap with his thumb, using the other hand to lean against the rail as he slowly went up the steps. His lean, muscular body, along with the fury blazing in his green eyes, reminded her of a panther poised to leap on its prey.
    Sara swallowed hard at the realization that she was obviously the target of his anger.
    “You lied to me,” Jack repeated once he stood in front of her.
    “W-what?”
    “Donʼt play dumb with me, Sara. I know everything. I know what happened ten years ago, and I know you lied to me.”
    The sharp tone of his words made her take an instinctive step back. For the first time since sheʼd met him, she almost feared him. “Did you…get your memory back?”
    Jack shook his head with a sarcastic grin. “I didnʼt need to. Your nice, consideratesheriff took care of informing me about everything. Such a kind person he is, and— oh! —so concerned with protecting his precious little town from this brutal killer here.”
    Lacrod! I should have known. “Look, I know youʼre upset, and you have every right to be. But, please, try to put yourself in my shoes. What was I supposed to do?”
    “Tell me the truth,” he replied laconically.
    “Sure!” She raised her arms in exasperation. “A few hours from your terrible accident and after the serious head trauma you sustained, I was supposed to tell you that youʼd been accused of murdering your own adoptive father and that you spent nearly three years in jail because of it!”
    A muscle pulsed in Jackʼs tightened jaw. “It would have been better than hearing it from Lacrod.”
    Ouch . Sara sighed. “Iʼm sorry, Jack. Really. I didnʼt know he would spit his venom at you so soon,” she apologized contritely. But, man, the way he kept staring at her in silence was making her extremely uncomfortable. What had happened to the confused, shy, sweet man sheʼd met at the hospital?
    “Look, I really didnʼt know anything about your story until two days ago,” she felt the need to specify. “Doc told me about it at the hospital, so I didnʼt know―”
    “ʼCourse you didnʼt. Otherwise, why would you have helped a worthless ex-con like me, huh?”
    Sara saw red. “Donʼt be ridiculous! Your past wouldnʼt have made any difference, and you know it!”
    Jack inhaled a sharp breath but didnʼt reply and kept silent for what seemed like an eternity to her. “It doesnʼt matter,” he finally muttered, his voice so low that she wasnʼt sure heʼd actually said anything. “Not anymore. Thanks again for all of your help, Sara. I owe you.”
    In a daze, Sara watched him turn around and slowly climb down the porch steps.
    “Jack, wait!” she heard herself shout before she could put her thoughts together. She just couldnʼt let him go, not like this. She would never forgive herself.
    He stopped, but when he turned around, his beautiful eyes were so blank that she felt her heart ache. “You canʼt leave with your leg like that,” she said tentatively. “You donʼt even have a place to stay. Maybe…you could stay here tonight.”
    Jack frowned and stared at her as though