Page 31 of Doughn't Let Me Go

This time, he doesn’t look away.

Even from across the pizzeria, I can see him swallow thickly. His tongue—the same one I felt between my legs and on my skin last night—darts out to wet his lips.

“Doris Palmer?”

My heart drops.

No. No, no, no, no, no. It’s not possible.

He takes a step toward me, and I stand, halting his movements.

“M-Mr. Jones?”

His gray eyes flare.

And I run.

Straight out of Slice, past Porter’s fancy car, and through the parking lot.

I run until I can’t run any more. I am way too out of shape for this shit.

“Dory, wait!”

I look over my shoulder, surprised to find Porter chasing after me.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I do the only logical thing I can think of—sprint across the street.

Only I’m a moron because the next thing I know a horn is blaring as a car careens toward me. I’m frozen in the middle of the busiest road in this town, cars whipping past me, honking like I’m insane.

I clearly am.

A strong arm curls around my waist and hauls me into the brick wall otherwise known as his chest.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Porter yells, shaking my shoulders. “Are you fucking insane?”

I pull out of his grip, but he doesn’t let me dart away this time, instead wrapping his hand around my wrist, holding me there.

“Stop running,” he commands. “Stop running and talk to me.”

“About what?” I scream. “What!”

He doesn’t flinch at my outburst, like he was expecting it.

Or maybe he’s just used to childish actions, considering he’s a father.

Though he failed to mention that part.

I had no idea who Porter was last night when I agreed to go home with him, no clue he’s the guy who holds the key to my freedom. We didn’t exchange any information other than our first names.

We didn’t need to. We weren’t trying toconnect. That’s not what last night was.

But now? Now I regret that because as I stand here before him, I’m watching everything I wished for vanish.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t think I’d even have a shot at getting this job when I applied. It was too good to be true. A salary that cushyandfree room and board? My luck has never been that good.

So when a woman called me to set up an interview with the father, I was ecstatic. This kind of pay could transform my life. I wouldn’t have to work multiple jobsandbabysit on my off days all while juggling going to school full-time just to pay my bills and keep my checking account in the black.

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