Page 45 of Betrayed in the Dark
When Eli tried to save me.
It takes a moment for my breathing to even out and for my heart rate to return to an acceptable pace. But when it finally does, I slide my legs over the side of the bed, and that’s when I find some pain relievers and water on my nightstand and a paper bag on the floor.
Warmth cascades through me.
It might seem like nothing more than a little gesture, but I know the man who put them there.
He’s the same man who had my mom’s freezer filled with ice cream after I had my tonsils removed.
The same man who showed up at my prom after somehow knowing my date would be a no-show.
The one who’s always taken care of me.
Whether I deserve it or not.
Stepping out of bed, I’m relieved to note that my migraine is gone, but just in case, I swallow a couple of the pain relieverswith water. I head to the bathroom, where I take a quick hot shower and then throw on a blue silk nightie, feeling refreshed.
My stomach rumbles, reminding me that I missed dinner. When I glance at the clock and see it’s just after midnight, I wonder if I should wait until morning, but after my stomach rumbles a second time, I decide to head downstairs.
Standing in the kitchen and staring at the contents of the fridge, words from earlier float across my mind.
“Hey, Angel. I miss you.”
My appetite unexpectedly vanishes, and I close the fridge, pressing my forehead against the cold metal. A frustrated groan slips from my lips.
What is wrong with me?
Hearing him say those words to another woman shouldn’t upset me.
I’m engaged to another man, after all.
Not by choice, but still.
And what the fuck happened in that dressing room?
Did I dream that all up?
I take a step back, shaking my head. I can’t think about it—not about the way his body felt against mine, nor about how my heart raced in my chest with each rock of my hips against his muscular leg. And definitely not about how we were just seconds away from kissing.
I cover my face with my hands.
I can’t do this.
I can’t mess this up.
There’s too much at stake.
As I walk out of the kitchen and up the stairs toward my room, I feel anxiety simmer inside me.
Everything was simple before Eli got here.
Everything was moving according to plan.
And now…I don’t fucking know what to do.
Restlessly, I play with my hideous engagement ring on my finger until it slips off, rolling across the hall and straight into…
Oh no.
