Page 53 of Rambler's Snow Bunny
With the house secure, I drop my purse on the kitchen island and head for the fridge. Grabbing a can of Dr. Pepper, I pop the tab and take a long, satisfying drink.
“Ahhh.” I close my eyes in bliss. So good. The only thing that would make it better is a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup to eat. I make a mental note to grab some when I hit the grocery store tomorrow on my way home.
Walking back to the entryway, I kick off my black knee-high boots and line them up neatly on the mat by the door. Wiggling my toes in freedom, I sigh happily. “God, that feels good.”
A hot shower sounds perfect right about now. First, though, I need to get this sweater dress in the wash. It’s covered in hair. I haven’t even started working behind the chair yet, and I still manage to get it all over me.
Heading to the laundry room, I pull the plum-colored dress over my head, tossing it into the washing machine. Standing in just my sheer bra and panties, I’m about to grab the detergent when my phone starts ringing in the kitchen.
“Coming!” I call out stupidly, as if whoever is calling can hear me.
I almost trip over my feet as I hurry back toward the kitchen to grab it from my purse. I don’t make it that far, though. I can’t because my body is frozen here in the doorway as my blood turns to ice in my veins.
“No.” The word whispers past my lips.
There, standing next to my bag with my ringing phone in one hand and a gun in the other, is Eddie.
“Savi.” His lips curl into a predatory smile, his eyes raking over my nearly naked body. “Looking good, baby.”
I can’t move. Can’t breathe. This isn’t happening. It can’t be happening.
How did he find me?
Eddie silences my phone and tosses it onto the counter, never taking his eyes off me. “What, no hello for your man?” His words slur slightly, and I can smell the whiskey from here.
He’s drunk. That makes him even more dangerous.
“Eddie,” I manage, my voice barely a whisper. “What are you doing here?”
He takes a step toward me, and I instinctively back away.
“What am I doing here?” His face darkens. “That’s all you have to say after you ran off like a little bitch?”
Another step forward, another step back for me. My eyes dart around, looking for something, anything, I can use as a weapon.
“How did you find me?” I ask, trying to keep him talking.
He chuckles, the sound sending ice down my spine. “You think I’m stupid? I’ve known where you were for weeks. Just been waiting for the right moment.” His eyes narrow. “Waiting for your fuck buddy to leave you alone.”
My back hits the wall, and panic floods my system. I’m trapped.
Eddie closes the distance between us in two quick strides, his free hand shooting out to grab a fistful of my hair. He yanks my head back painfully, forcing me to look up at him.
“Missed you, baby,” he growls, dipping his face into the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply. The gun digs into my ribs painfully.
I’m shaking uncontrollably, but some survival instinct kicks in, and I force myself to go limp in his grip.
“I missed you too, Eddie,” I lie, the words like ash in my mouth.
His head snaps back, and he searches my face with bloodshot eyes. “No, you didn’t,” he snarls, pressing the gun harder against my side. “You left me, you ungrateful cunt. After everything I did for you.”
Tears burn in my eyes, blurring my vision. “You’re hurting me,” I whisper, my voice breaking.
His grip tightens in my hair. “Good.” Then he pulls back and slaps me hard across the face.
Pain explodes in my cheek, and I taste blood where my teeth cut the inside of my mouth as my head snaps to the side from the force of the blow.
“Please,” I beg, raising my hands in surrender. “I’m sorry. I was wrong to leave. I missed you. I need you.”
