Page 55 of Cheater

I’m now frozen in place.

“Take your groceries inside and drive to my apartment. See you in twenty minutes. It’s important.”

I frown. “Important?”

“Yes,” he says simply. “And don’t lie to me again, baby.”

“Don’t baby me, Derek. I told you I don’t want to see you again.”

“Come over. Don’t call anyone first.”

“Why can’t I call anyone?” I ask. “I think we both know you’ve done some pretty shady stuff to get me where you wanted me the other night, so that comment sends up a major red flag.”

His expression softens. “We need to clear the air. I promise, you want to hear what I have to say to you.”

“I don’t think so,” I say simply.

He stares at me for a moment, saying nothing, so I try to pull my arm out of his grip. He doesn’t let go. Instead, he pulls me in so he can get his mouth to my ear.

“I didn’t want to play it like this, but you’re not leaving me a lot of choices.”

I wait for him to elaborate, but all my senses are suddenly about to hit fight or flight mode.

“Meet me at my place in twenty minutes. If you don’t, I’ll have to come back.”

My jaw drops as he delivers the threat.

“I’ll come back when he gets home,” he adds, releasing me.

His eyes coast over my face, over my entire body. His top teeth skim his lower lip before he whispers, “Twenty minutes, Chloe. Don’t make me wait longer than that.”

He relieves me of all the groceries, carrying them to my front step before turning around, giving me a look loaded with… I don’t know… something that feels sexual… before he walks to his SUV and leaves.

The lady across the street is watching from her front window.

I don’t know most of the neighbors yet, but I’m sure most of them certainly know who we are having seen us come and go with Adam’s wheelchair.

I manage to pry my feet from where they’re glued on the driveway and press my entry code into the smart lock before I hurry inside with my bags. I lock the door before I lean back against it, body shaking, heart hammering against the wall of my chest like it’s about to take flight.

Am I overreacting? Does he just want to talk? No. What could he possibly want to talk about that would have him threatening to come back here when Adam gets home?

My phone dings so I pull it out of my bag. It’s a number I don’t recognize.

20 minutes, Chloe. I won’t harm you. Use your thumb to get into the building. The condo will be unlocked too so come right in. I’m waiting.

My thumb will get me in? What?

I quickly call Alannah.

She answers on the second ring. “Hey, girlie.”

“He showed up here,” I whisper.

“Derek Steele?” she asks. “No way!”

“He wants me to meet him at his place in twenty minutes or he’s threatened to come back here when Adam’s home later. He swears he won’t harm me but why would he threaten me?”

“Oh shit!”

---