Page 24 of Hate Game

I’m near the opening when large arms wrap around my waist from behind, and I’m lifted off my feet. I kick my feet out and slam my head back, not one to go down easy. The person anticipates my move, and the back of my head hits the air. I open my mouth, ready to scream at the top of my lungs for help.

I hope Malice is a light sleeper.

A rough hand clamps over my mouth. I shake my head. His hand follows my movement, not giving me the chance to free myself from his grip. I'm taken into the tall grass with one hand over my mouth and the other across my stomach, anchoring me to him. My heartbeat ratchets against my rib cage, and my mouth goes dry.

I won’t go down like this.

I refuse.

My attacker curves his body over mine. He’s tall, and his strength gives him an added advantage. Either I fall on my face with him falling on top of me, or I can get on my knees.

I choose the latter. I tip forward and land on my knees on soft dirt. His arm falls away from my stomach as he falls with me.

This is my chance.

I buck him off me.

He plants his palm between my shoulder blades, his touch firm yet gentle. Huh? I don’t have time to think about it. He shoves me, and I fall forward with my hands outstretched. Off balance, I land smack dab on the ground with my palms hitting the dirt and my legs stretched out.

I quickly push off the ground, but he stops me with his hand on the back of my neck. He leans into me.

My heart beats fast like hummingbird wings. My stomach knots. I close my eyes and pray that Malice will hear the blood-curdling scream I’m ready to let loose, but what my attacker says next to my ear stops me.

“Where are you going, Regret?”

Malice? I yank off the NVGs. How dare he not tell meright awayit’s him? How dare he clamp his hand over my mouth, pull me into the grass, and get me on my knees?

God, how dare he, period?

“Anywhere but where you are,” I grind out.

He tsks. “Where I go, you go, remember? The opposite is also true. Or will you fail at this job too?”

Anger burns hot in my belly. I dig my fingers into the ground, ready to buck him off me. Except payback is a bitch, and this bitch has a different way of evening the score. I do the yoga pose downward dog and press my ass into his crotch. His heat seeps into my pants. I press harder, craving more of his body heat.

“Rue.” He presses his face into my hair, and his masculine scent surrounds me. He smells good, like fresh rain in spring, and he feels good too. His weight on me has me curling my toes. Malice here with me is my fantasy come true.

This is real. Malice. Me. In the dark. Alone. Memories of that night rush to the forefront of my mind, and I’m taken back to the night that brought us together, only to later divide us.

9

RUE

It was the summer of our sophomore year, and school would start in two weeks.

I had waited for Malice inside the gas station between Delridge and Cambridge. Mason dropped me off, knowing full well who I was meeting.

On the drive, I snuck a look at Malice. I caught him looking at me too. God, he looked like he stepped out of one of those fashion magazines with his dark tousled hair a mess from the wind as he stuck his head out the window, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding my hand. His bright blue eyes shone with happiness whenever our gazes met.

We picked up food and ate inside the truck, parked on a bluff overlooking a valley of wheat fields. We watched the sun set before we picked up milkshakes on our way to this secret spot he wanted to take me to.

It was dark, and the road was rough and bumpy, but I wasn’t scared or worried. Malice knew where he was going, and I trusted him to keep me safe.

My heart pounded loudly in my ears, and it was difficult to catch my breath when we parked beneath the willow tree. We both understood what would happen next.

We finished our milkshakes in silence. I’m glad we’re replacing the lingering taste of burgers and fries with something sweet. I want to taste good when we kiss.

“Done?” I ask.

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