Page 19 of The Wrong Drive

“What’s your dog’s name?” she calls after me, and the tone of her voice causes me to pause instead of ignoring her. There’s something desperate underlaying her generic question. I recognize it, and spin around to face her. Her arms are wrapped around herself, and even though I find her presence a nuisance and her questions annoying, there’s something admirable about the way she just doesn’t stop talking.

I wonder if she’d understand I also have unstoppable habits.

“Gunner. He’s ten. Getting up there in age.” I sound so awkward and so pathetic I could bang my head against the wall. I used to know how to talk to people. I used to fuckingflirt.Now, I can barely talk and not sound like an imbecile.

“Is he a service dog?”

“Excuse me?” I shoot back at her, offended. “Why the fuck would I need aservicedog?” She’s making assumptions.

And it pisses me off.

“I noticed him pawing at you…” Her voice trails off. “I thought maybe… Your expression changed… I?—”

“You, what?” I growl as my hand is suddenly wrapped around her throat, her pulse throbbing against my finger. “You think I’m fucking crazy? Huh? Why don’t you run your mouth a little more?”

“I’m s-s-sorry,” she chokes out, her teeth suddenly chattering.

I catch a hint of her sweet scent and guide her backward until her ass hits the side of the bed. Forcing her to sit down, which damn near puts her face cock level, I growl, “How sorryareyou, Emersyn?”

She swallows, biting down on her lip. “Very?”

I tilt my head, studying the confusing expression on her face. She’s scared, that’s for sure, but there’s something else in the mix…intrigue,maybe? Hard to say.

“Who I am, is none of your business,” I bite, tipping her chin back. “Got it?”

“Okay,” she whispers, her eyes boring into mine. Something in my chest rattles at the look there—the unrelenting softness and the way she’s searching my face. It’s like she’stryingto understand me.

And now, I’m the one confused.

“It’s okay, Turner.” Her tone is achingly sweet. “I won’t ask you anymore questions.”

I can’t conjure up a response. Everything is wrong in my head right now. And before I can stop myself, I’m leaning down, brushing my lips across her jaw. My cock grows rock hard as she shivers against my touch. I wait for her to pull away from my lips on my skin, but she only lets out a sharp breath.

What a good, weak girl.

My thoughts grow dark and lustful. She’s so fucking easy, moldable, even. Could I keep her as my own?

“What do you want from me?” Emersyn whispers, her voice barely audible as I pause, my grip loosening.

I rest my head against hers. “I don’t know.”

Emersyn’s breaths are ragged, and it sparks a new kind of excitement in me. My mind races.Is she wet for me? Does she want me? How far can I go before I snap?I thread my fingers through her hair and tip her head back, sliding my other hand from her throat and down her body. I suddenly want to dance with the fucking Devil.

“Here’s your chance, Emersyn,” I taunt her as I graze her breasts. “Tell me no, and I’ll think about it, but…” I catch her gaze. “Part of me thinks you’re as turned on as I am right now.”

Her lips part as I dip lower, reaching the button of her jeans. “St-stop.”

Fuck.

“Why?” I demand, my exhilaration growing ragey in its cage. “Why should I stop? Do you not want this? Because I have a feeling you want it.”

“My boyfriend?—”

“Isn’t your boyfriend right now,” I cut her off, unsnapping the button. “We’re trapped in this house,Em…”You’re either going to end up fucked or dead. Or both. Not sure yet if fucking will be enough to stave off my madness.

“I don’t know… I don’t really know you…”

I let out a frustrated sigh.Fucking fine.I’ll just go to sleep. I drop her back and stalk from the room, grabbing the pills I left sitting on the dresser. I thunder up the stairs, the echo of my footsteps barely audible over the anger humming in my mind.