Page 40 of Bought For Us

Getting out of the car, I thank the driver and head towards the main lobby.

It smells of mildew and the walls are water stained. It’s to late to find something else tonight, but as soon as I wake up, I’m out of here.

Once I’m in my dingy motel room, I head for my bag to grab a change of clothes. Shit, I’m still wearing Kimmy’s shirt and pants. I’ll have to give them back, hopefully soon.

In the bathroom, I turn the shower on. I’m just about to strip when I hear banging on the door.

Fuck. I swear, if it’s that creepy dude a few doors down, I’m going to call the cops this time.

“Cora!” the banging on the door continues.

My brows furrow. They know my name?

“Cora, open up!”

Turning the water off, I slowly walk towards the door, heart racing as a feeling of panic hits me.

“Cora. I know you're in there.”

I know that voice. “Zack?” I ask myself and rush to open the door.

He stands there, all tall, dark and deadly, chest heaving, eyes hard, jaw clenched.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper, eyes wide in surprise.

“Pack your bags,” he practically growls, nostrils flaring. “You're coming home with me.”

Chapter 14

Cora

“Wait, what?” I blink a few times, wondering if I heard him right. “No, Zack I can’t.”

“Why the fuck not?” he asks, nostrils flaring. Is he mad at me? I don’t think I’ve seen him like this before.

“Because. I can’t just come back into your life after being gone for so long. You have a life, a wife and a career,” I tell him, shaking my head as I step away from the door.

He comes in and closes the door behind him. “I’m not letting you stay in this shit hole,” he growls. “Do you have any idea how many times this place is in the fucking news because someone went missing, was kidnapped or raped? I knew you said you were staying at a motel, but I didn't think it was this one.”

“How did you find me?” I ask him, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“I followed you.” He steps towards me until he’s looming over me. I have to tip my head back to look at him. When he grabs my chin softly, I have to swallow down a whimper. “Do you think I’d let you get away that easily after just getting you back?”

My eyes volley back and forth between his, breaths coming in shallow and fast. I lick my lips. “What about Kimmy?” I whisper. “You can’t make these kinds of life changing decisions without talking to your wife.”

He gives me this smug sexy grin that makes my belly clench. “Who do you think called me and demanded that I bring you back?”

My lips part in shock. “Really?”

“Yes. Now, get your stuff, Cora.” He brushes his thumb against my lower lip and I shiver. This man loved me once. In this moment, I wish so badly that he still did.

Part of me wants to tell him no. That I’m fine. That I’ve been doing this on my own for years, I don’t need any help.

But another part of me is tired of fighting. Tired of spending every day just trying to survive. I loved spending time with them this weekend. And I know I wasn’t ready for it to be over.

“Fine,” I tell him, voice soft. “Until I’ve saved up enough money to get a place of my own.”

He grinds his jaw but nods.

---