The Criminal Soulmate

Chapter Eleven

Darkness covered the area as Leanna followed behind Dylan, using her bag as cover from the rain. She couldn't stop herself from thinking of the moment just half an hour earlier when they'd both been caught trying to stare at the other. Dylan's dark hair clung to head, his shirt soaked already.

The jacket around her smelled more like him than it did before, it that was even possible. It had been just five in the morning when they'd abandoned their motel room, leaving behind no traces of them ever having been there.

Something had changed in that room. Leanna didn't know for sure what, but she could feel it in the air all around them. The world seemed a little brighter. Funny how that was, considering there were no lights to be seen.

"Where exactly are we supposed to go in this weather?" asked Leanna. "And why did we leave so early in the morning? Nothing is going to be open."

Dylan ignored her, heading toward a small bus shelter down the road. They squeezed into it beside each other, their bags bumping against the glass walls. Leanna glanced down at her legs, grateful she had a pair of jeans long enough to cover the tattoo. She looked over at Dylan, who still had his own tattoo out for everyone else to see.

"You should really cover that up," she said. "I doubt there's many people that have a tattoo like yours either."

His green eyes met hers, an expression of indifference on his face. "How am I supposed to cover it when you're wearing my jacket? I don't own any long-sleeved shirts."

"Well, then maybe you should buy some."

The corners of his lips started to twitch, a smile spreading across his face. Leanna held back the long sigh that wanted to come out. She had to admit he looked even better when he was happy. Knowing he meant it, at least a little bit, filled her with temporary joy.

"Or you could give me my jacket back. That would help cover it up too," said Dylan, eyes roaming over her body.

Leanna's cheeks burned, and she hugged her arms around herself. "It's too cold for me to go without a jacket."

"Funny, I distinctly remember you refusing to wear my jacket a few days ago."

"That's because you locked me in a trunk," she shot back. "Not exactly a romantic gesture."

Dylan didn't answer, instead gazing out at the road in front of them. He twisted to the side to look down the road. Leanna could feel his body heat next to her, shocked at how warm he felt. She was freezing, even wearing the jacket.

Several minutes passed by before a bus rumbled down the road, its lights shining in the dull morning. It came to a screeching halt outside the shelter. Dylan handed Leanna some change, pushing her ahead of him. She frowned.

"I thought you said you didn't want to take the bus or train anymore."

Dylan gave her a gentle push. "I don't, but we don't have much choice. Unless you'd rather walk in this weather?"

Leanna definitely didn't want to do that. Without another word, she turned toward the bus, dropping the change in the farebox. The bus driver didn't even look at her, handing her a transfer while continuing to stare at the road ahead. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there.

There was no one on the bus except a girl about sixteen and another woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties. Both glanced up, ignoring Leanna and staring at Dylan instead. Anyone could see the intrigue in their eyes. Leanna felt a twinge of jealousy course through her.