Page 184 of Teacher's Pet

I can’t-

"I could have my way with you right now," Jake murmurs, his lips dangerously close to my ear.

My chest tightens.

"I could send Noah a photo," he muses. "Make him regret ever crossing me."

A threat. A promise.

The tears fall freely now.

I have to find a way out of this.

I have to fight.

"But," Jake laughs, the sound crawling under my skin like something vile. "Perhaps I’ll have my fun when we’re all alone."

His voice is mocking, taunting, a sick game only he is playing.

Then, just as quickly as it began, he yanks my dress back down, smoothing the fabric over my skin like he’s doing me some kind of favor.

"Give me the zip ties," he snaps.

Cole’s grip on my head eases, his fingers finally releasing their brutal hold. I gasp for air, the relief fleeting, because the moment I turn to face them, Jake is waiting.

Smiling.

Enjoying this.

Cole tosses him a pair of zip ties, and Jake grabs my wrists without hesitation, forcing them together before pulling the plastic tight. The sharp bite of the restraints digs into my skin, cutting off circulation, but his hands don’t stop there.

He searches me, fingers dragging over my body in a way that makes my stomach churn. A shudder runs through me, bile rising in my throat as his hands skim over every inch, looking for something.

Then, he stops.

"Your phone?" Jake snarls, his eyes narrowing.

I hesitate, but only for a second.

"Noah has it," I whisper, forcing the lie from my lips as smoothly as I can. "I gave it to him when I went to the bathroom."

Good.

He doesn’t know.

He hasn’t realized.

My phone is still in his pocket.

Jake watches me carefully, his head tilting slightly, waiting for a tell...a crack in my story.

Then, slowly, he grins.

"Perfect," he murmurs, his satisfaction bleeding into his tone. "Then I won’t have to worry about you getting in my way."

The zip ties dig deeper into my wrists.

My pulse pounds.

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