Page 47 of Room One Hundred & Twenty-One: Kiss of Fire

Stan jerks me closer to him, and I can smell the alcohol on his hot, damp breath. “You’re gonna pay for this. I promise you that.” Then he releases me with a shove before darting down the stairwell.

16

SELENA

“Why are you not coming home with us?” Brody pouts, clearly not liking the idea of leaving me alone in my apartment.

It has been weeks since I’ve had a moment to myself, and as much as I love sleeping in their arms, I need some space to process everything that happened today. Stan really got to me, but I can’t decide if he was serious or just blowing off steam because he was mad that things didn’t go his way. I want to wait to talk to the guys about it until I have a clear head and can ensure they won’t do anything rash.

Noah holds my stare for a long time before he nods. “I’ve been wondering if you needed a break. If this has all been too much too fast.”

“I don’t need a break.” I step toward him and he draws me into his arms. “Just… maybe a good night’s sleep, where I’m not dicked down into the mattress?”

Chance barks out a laugh, but Noah merely smiles. “We could just… cuddle.” His mouth pinches as if the words taste bitter on his tongue.

“It’s just one night,” I promise. “And who knows? Maybe this is just what I need to prove to myself I never want to be away from you again.”

Chance pulls me into his arms and wraps me up in a tight embrace. “I’m banking on that,” he says and kisses my forehead. “Besides, this’ll give us time to make some plans.”

I lean back to look into his eyes. “What plans?”

“Just something I’ve been thinking about. And I’ll bet these two are on the same page.”

I narrow my gaze at him, wondering what he’s up to.

“Don’t worry, beautiful. I think you’ll like it.”

“I’m sure I will. Now go, and I’ll see you in the morning,” I urge.

They each take a moment to kiss me goodbye, and as soon as they leave, I’m dying for more. Guess it didn’t take long for me to realize how much I want them, or to recognize my deep desire to be near them. But I decide a night alone will do me good.

I close the door and head toward my room. Exhaustion weighs heavy on my shoulders as memories from today flood my mind. Stan’s words play on repeat even though I’m far away from his scathing stare, and I’m starting to regret that I didn’t tell the guys what happened right away.

The fact is he blames me for what happened, and I’m not sure what he plans to do about it.

Dismissing the worry for now, I pull off my clothes and toss them into the hamper before walking toward the shower. I stand under the scalding-hot spray, allowing the stream of water to wash away all my thoughts and concerns. After drying off and thoroughly moisturizing my skin, I zip through the rest of my skin care routine and dress in a long satin nightgown that Chance bought for me. He’s always spoiling me with luxurious gifts.

I retrieve my Kindle from my nightstand and turn down the covers, deciding that reading a smutty romance novel will do just the trick to clear my head. But when I start to crawl into bed, there’s a knock at my door. Just two subtle raps against the wood, but for whatever reason, it shoots a chill down my spine.

I check my phone to see if perhaps I’ve a missed call or text from one of the guys, but there are no notifications on the screen. I still and wait to see if it happens again.

Knock… Knock.

They’re louder now, but slow and steady. Not urgent, as if to get my attention, or the thunderous thumps you’d expect from the police.

Knock… Knock.

The sound comes again, taunting me while my heart bangs against my rib cage and my breaths come more rapidly.

I’m waiting for someone to announce themselves, but nothing comes. Only eerie silence and no more knocking. My immediate thought is to call the guys, but reason convinces me otherwise. It’ll take them too long to get here, and if it’s truly an emergency, then I should call 9-1-1. But what would I say to the dispatcher? Can you send the police? Someone’s knocking on my door? I can hear the laughter now, along with a stern warning about prank calling the authorities.

Clutching my phone in my hand, I decide to tiptoe to the front and double-check the locks when?—

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

A fist pounds on the door and I almost jump out of my skin. I instantly pull up Noah’s number from my list of favorites and presssend.

Please pick up. Please pick up,I chant in my head when someone bursts inside my apartment.

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