Page 13 of Right Number, Wrong Man
Hell, I’m trying to be a gentleman, but there’s only so much a guy can take before his brain turns into mush and the pants department takes control. And right now, my goddamn cock is planning a coup.
“I’m not drunk if that’s what you’re worried about. I only had one cocktail,” Hailey rambles nervously. “There was this college guy who mixed drinks for everybody and he made me something called a raspberry daiquiri. It was so tasty!”
I tilt my head, hoping she’ll give me less reasons to ravish her and more reasons to be an upstanding man.
“And I turned eighteen in spring! I’m old enough to want this,” she adds enthusiastically.
Of course I remember her birthday. I left a gift on her doorstep the night before, a Wraithface plushie she’d been trying to get from a crane game in the mall.
After every shift she worked in a cafe next to the arcade, I watched her pour her tips into that stupid machine. She never got lucky. It took me six weeks to finally win it for her. I could’ve bought the same toy somewhere else, but for some reason, she wantedthatone with a mis-stitched eye.
When she found my gift, she came running over—and thanked Mike. The asshole was more than happy to take credit, though to him Hailey is just another girl who hangs around his large friend group.
She’s too good for him. So why should I deny myself the one chance to sleep with the girl I love?
When I leave for bootcamp tomorrow, I won’t see her again for a long time. I’m fine with that because I can’t stay and watch her hate me, but I don’t want to miss tonight.
“You don’t even have to worry about getting me pregnant!” her voice cuts through my thoughts. “I’m on the pill so we don’t need a condom. I want you to be my first and I want to feel all of you.”
I wince. Fucking hell. Did she have to say that?
My self-restraint collapses, leaving my principles in a pile of rubble.
I can have Hailey.
Iwillhave her.Bare.
6
COLT
HALLOWEEN TWELVE YEARS AGO (PT. 2)
My cock is so hardit hurts, but something else is throbbing, too. Or rather vibrating: my nerves. I’m anxious like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
What if I’m an awful lover? What if I stick it in her and come instantly?
Worse, what if shelaughs at me? I’d have to steal one of Dad’s guns and take myself out back.
No, I have a battle plan. What I’m lacking in practical experience, I’ll make up for with perfectly executed theoretical knowledge I’ve gathered on the internet.
My fingers molding to the curve of her waist, I guide Hailey into the room and toward the bed. I pull the dust cover off and sit her down on the edge before I drop to my knees in front of her.
“By the way, what’s with the silent act? Are you okay under there?” she asks.
She reaches for my mask, but I dodge her hand.
“Are you shy?” She giggles, running a dainty finger along the mask. “If I’m honest, I’m into this. It’s kinky. Like I’m the star of my own personal, sexy slasher movie. Alright then… let’s do it Myers style with the masks on.”
I stifle a laugh. Maybe that’s why the guy from Halloween never speaks. He’s justreallyshy about knifing people.
I tug off my gloves and stuff them into my pocket. My heart hammers like a wrecking ball against my ribs as I draw along her midriff.
Her skin is so soft, I can’t stop touching her.
I trail up her spine until I find the clasp of her bra, but I can’t get a grip on those tiny hooks. My fingers feel like oversized sausages, granting me the dexterity skills of a goldfish.
The longer I fumble, the hotter I get. My face itches under the mask, sweat trickling along my brow.
