Page 14 of Freaks Of Nature
I duck in between two dumpsters and catch my breath. But I don’t feel safe. Tipping my sight upward, I check the roof tops for movement.
The alley is quiet.
I listen for footsteps and don’t hear anything but my booming heartbeat and the cacophony of traffic on a nearby street.
I stay there for I don’t know how long. I resist the urge to pull out my phone afraid the light of the screen will give me away.
My hands tremble. I’m left in darkness with nothing but my broken breaths.
At last, I dare to step back out into the alley.
I exhale in relief and pivot my stance when a strong arm snares me, pinning my own down to trap me in his hold.
I know it’s him. I don’t have to turn my head to see the mask as he cages me against his chest. I recognize the black hoodie.
Something sharp presses to the dip below my jaw, forcing a whimper from me.
“Shhh,” he whispers.
Despite all my instincts, his low voice is soothing at my ear. The swell of his chest is rock-solid but warm, and with his front pressed to my ass, I know he’s aroused by this.
A dark and depraved desire stirs in my core. I can’t explain it. And a part of me is ashamed to admit it.
Before I’m forced to confront my dilemma, his arm releases me. The tip of his knife stays in place for another second,and his gravely timbre reverberates in my ear. He growls one word:
“Run!”
—
I don’t hear him chasing after me, but I can still feel his breath down my neck.
He could’ve killed me.
His knife was right there at my throat, our bodies flush, and an unspeakable charge crackling between us.
The tingling sensation his hard contours stirred in me remains.Fuck!I liked the way his body pressed against mine from behind. I wanted him to take me like that. Wanted his rough hands on my hips, his cock driving into my pussy without mercy.
It’s wrong. I know it is. He’s crazy. Dangerous. And he’s been terrorizing me for his sheer entertainment. I can’t let him catch me.
I keep running.
I’m panting, cold sweat trailing down my back when the roar of an engine rushes up on me, and a motorcycle comes flying out of the crossing alley to my right.
A cry rips from my throat. I expect a collision, but he manages to brake in time.
Heart leaping out of my chest, I stare at him, wide-eyed, and it takes my brain another second to catch on. It’s Ash. I recognize his heather gray hoodie; it’s the same one he woreon our date. It has a skull logo on his left pec with what I assume is the name of the auto shop written underneath.
He flips his visor up. “Shit!” he shouts over the sound of the bike. “My bad. I didn’t mean to run you over. I was looking for you when I didn’t catch you at the diner. Sorry for running late.”
I’m so glad to see his face. I’m not even mad. “It’s fine,” I wheeze, grabbing my side to nurse an oncoming stitch. “But we should probably exchange numbers.” If I had known he was on his way, I would’ve stayed put.
“Good call.”
I draw another deep breath into my lungs, and his eyes narrow on me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah! Yeah, I’m fine,” I huff, waving him off.
His scrutinizing gaze does a rake over my body, then he nods toward the helmet strapped to the back of his bike. “Hop on. I’ll give you a ride home.”
