Page 1 of Keep Me

Chapter One

Camille

October

Apair of hands wraps around my waist, and I instantly freeze as my mind transports me back to that day. Suddenly, I’m not at some nightclub in America but rather in the backstreets of my home island, Lorsica, just off the coast of France.

His hands grip my ass, and I shove him away the best I can. The man snarls at me, his face going beet red as he backhands me, making my vision blur before he shoves me to the ground, my elbow thumping into the concrete. I quickly scramble to my feet. No time to cry or scream as I remember my training, and I run as fast as I fucking can.

Even though my calves scream at me in protest, the alarm bells going off in my head are louder and they propel me to keep the lead on the three men chasing me.

When the hands currently gripping me grow tighter, it pulls me back to the present and I shove the stranger off. “No, thank you,” I tell him politely, not wanting to make him angry.

Where’s my best friend, Jasmine? I could really use her help right about now.

He grins mischievously, and my breath hitches as I worry that he’s not going to leave me alone.

My eyes dart around the room, trying to focus on anything that isn’t this man. I crane my neck, looking over the man’s shoulders, and that’s when I see him.

Ryker Lewis.

The man I’ve had a crush on for three years but have refused to approach.

And he’s making his way toward us with a scowl on his face.

“No means fucking no,” Ryker grits out, shoving the other man back. “If I see you near her again, you better fucking run. If I catch you, it won’t be good.”

His brawny chest heaves up and down as he glares at the man. While his attention isn’t on me, I take him in for the first time up close like this. My eyes snag on his tattooed sleeve down his right arm, his biceps taut against his black T-shirt.

He’s tall, broad, and full of sculpted muscles from his years of training as an athlete. And my favorite trait of his, those shoulder-length, dark brown waves resting on his shoulders that contrast with his stormy blue eyes.

He’s domineering, broody, and intimidating as hell.

In my peripheral vision, I see Jasmine rushing to my side, but I can’t take my eyes off him. There’s something about him that draws me to him, like a gravitational force I have no control over.

“Camille, are you okay?” Jasmine asks, her mocha eyes fixated on me with concern.

I nod unconvincingly.

“Let me take you home, Camille,” she urges, knowing exactly why I’m internally freaking out.

Ryker takes a protective step toward me, crowding my body with his. “I got her. You can go.”

The feeling of safety cloaks my entire body, and it’s almost foreign. I can’t remember the last time someone made me feel like that.

My lips part as my breath is sucked into the back of my throat while I gaze between Jasmine and Ryker. “I’ll be okay. I just want to get some fresh air.” I shrug my shoulders, trying to seem unaffected.

“I’ll go with you.” Ryker’s deep voice cuts through the loud bass music. His tone is final, with no room for discussion.

I swing my eyes back to him, surprised. Why is he insisting on going outside with me? The part of me that still has a crush on him is thrilled, while my romantic heart is bursting at the seams at the idea of spending a fraction of time with him. But the logical part of me knows not to get my hopes up.

Jasmine looks between the two of us with hesitancy. She finally relents when I give her a small nod of approval.

Ryker’s warm breath hits my ear as he whispers, “Would it be okay if I hold you in front of me while we walk out? That way no one can touch you.”

A shiver skates down my body, and for once, it’s not from fear.

I haven’t been able to stomach being touched since the incident because every time a guy tries to get close to me, my body sets off alarms that I’m not safe.

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