Page 44 of Midnight Mate
“I don’t need time to cool off,” I protested.
His eyes gleamed, and I realized I’d said the wrong thing.
“Even better.” He leaned in until I could smell his stale breath. No alcohol. So this was all his own crazy-ass mind then. That was probably worse. “Let me make it up to you, kitty cat.”
His use of East’s nickname for me made me want to vomit.
Oblivious to my disgust, he invaded my space. His nose nuzzled my cheek, and I wrenched away, breathing heavily. Fear zipped up my spine, leaving me lightheaded and nauseous. I had to get out of here.
I glanced up and down the alley, but there was no one else around. What a dumbass move, cutting through this deserted alley. I might as well be the virgin in a horror movie right now. Except I was anything but a virgin, and unfortunately, the last guy I’d slept with was turning out tobethe psychopath.
“Travis, stop it.”
Wrenching away, I managed two steps before Travis crowded me in again, pressing me against the wall at my back.
“While I appreciate you playing hard to get, this is silly, don’t you think? You forgive me. I forgive you. We should cut right to the—”
“Wait. You forgive me? For what?”
“Spending time with Raines.” His voice twisted, and I shuddered at the look of hatred he wore now. “That asshole doesn’t deserve you, Cat. I considered punishing him for touching what’s mine, but then I decided we should just move past it. That’s why I’m here tonight.”
“Travis.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You aren’t listening.”
“No,youaren’t listening.”
He moved too quickly for me to see. I grunted as he shoved my back against the wall, pinning me with an evil glare.
“You’re mine, Cat. Always will be. Don’t forget that.”
“Cat?”
East’s voice drifted back from the mouth of the alley.
Travis hissed.
“Cat, you still here?” East called again.
“Here,” I called before Travis could stop me.
Footsteps came closer.
“This isn’t over.” Travis released me and vanished into the shadows.
My knees buckled as relief washed through me.
East appeared.
He took one look at me and closed the distance. Instead of pinning me as Travis had, he reached out and cupped my face in gentle hands.
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
“Travis was here.”
“Are you hurt?”
“No, I . . . He—” I broke off, and East gathered me into his arms.
I buried my face in his shoulder, inhaling the scent of him and letting it steady me.
