Page 4 of Broken Rules
Shutting the closet doors, she made her way toward the bed, her bare feet padding across the plush carpeting. She pulled back his butter-soft duvet and climbed beneath the covers and sighed, feeling as though she lay on a cloud, surrounded by more clouds. In short, it was heaven...well, almost.
She sliced several pieces of cheese and poured herself a glass of wine. Now, it was heaven.
Lying for some time in a delirious fog, she listened to the rain tap dance on the roof and sipped her somewhat expensive glass of wine while occasionally giggling at the idea of Joe’s pained expression when he saw his shoes.
After a while, the rain stopped. She climbed out of bed and opened the balcony slider to let in the fresh sea-breeze. The air rushed into the room, pungent and salty, and the sound of crashing waves reached her ears.
With a smile, she retreated back to the oversized-bed and plopped down, pulling up the soft duvet and closed her eyes, relishing the prospect of an amazing night’s sleep, surrounded by luxury beyond what she dared dream to one day possess. But just as she began to doze off, a soft noise forced her eyes open.
She jerked upright. Blood rushed to her head, pounding in her ears. She glanced at the wine, wishing she had made a lovely cup of chamomile tea instead. The room started to spin. Groaning, her hands gripped her head, but then a shadow on the balcony streaked past the billowing sheer curtains. She gripped the blankets and held her breath the instant before a tall, shadowy, masked figure stepped into the room.
Chapter Two
Sucking in a sharpbreath, she lunged for the brass lamp on the nightstand, yanked the plug free from the wall, and held it like a sword at the ready. Her heart thundered in her ears.
The masked man took a step forward.
Still wielding her improvised weapon, she pressed her body against the wall, bracing herself for an attack.
But he did not come at her.
She dared not blink as she kept her gaze trained on the intruder who stood, unmoving, watching her.
Was he toying with her?
He was tall and sleek and dressed in black SWAT gear with a gadget laden belt around his trim waist. She could see the glint of his eyes, but not their color in the dark room. Her gaze narrowed on him.
Still, he did not move.
Her mind raced. Terror tightened her shoulders and made her breaths shallow...for she knew it was only a matter of time before the man made his depraved intentions known. She raised the lamp higher like a batter in the big leagues. Her palms were sweating, forcing her to adjust her grip. Holding her breath, she steeled her courage against the attack she knew had to be imminent.
At any moment, he would lunge for her.
His gaze remained trained on her, his body tense.
Her hands started to shake. She squeezed the lamp tighter to steady her grip.
