Page 36 of Return of the Bad Girl (Rock Canyon, Idaho 4)

“I live here,” Caroline snapped, hardly glancing at the confused blonde when she caught sight of Gabe by the coffeepot, holding two cups in his hand. Their eyes locked, but she couldn’t get a bead on what he was thinking or feeling.

Doesn’t he feel guilty for bringing home a girl who is obviously too drunk to make good choices?

But Kirsten was a grown woman who had made the decision to get stupid drunk. And Gabe was making her coffee. It wasn’t like he’d spiked her drink.

Like Kyle did to you?

Caroline hated that Kyle was so fresh in her mind. “I’m going to bed. Try to keep it down.”

Gabe had the audacity to shrug. “I make no promises.”

Stomping down the hallway, she resisted the urge to slam her door.

Why are you mad? He’s not doing anything wrong.

She didn’t answer her inner voice.

Caroline realized she’d forgotten to brush her teeth and walked out of her bedroom again. Gabe and Kirsten were no longer in the kitchen. Another giggle came from behind Gabe’s closed door. She brushed her teeth quickly and went to bed, finally slamming the door again before she could stop herself.

She’s too drunk, and he should know better.

The thought came unbidden and caused her to catch her breath, trying to bite down the panic.

This happened sometimes. She’d catch the harsh scent of a cologne, reminding her of the one Kyle had worn that night. Or she’d taste that same cherry flavor that reminded her of the drinks Kyle had spiked.

Or she’d see a girl who was out of control from drinking too much.

Closing her eyes didn’t help, but she did it anyway and clenched her fists until her nails dug painfully into her palms. That night was still a blur, with patches of memory missing throughout, and that was almost more terrifying. Remembering the disorientation as she came in and out of consciousness. The heavy feeling of him on top of her, inside her. The pain so sharp it had made her sick. She remembered vomiting over the side of the bed and his laughter. He always seemed to be laughing at her.

He was still laughing at her.

Taking slow, even breaths, Caroline grabbed her iPad from her dresser and her Wi-Fi plug. Nothing could chase the past away, but sometimes an episode of The Big Bang Theory could push the memories back down.

Caroline set the iPad up on her nightstand and rolled onto her side, concentrating on the characters on the screen instead of the demons in her past.

Chapter Eleven

“I’ve been told if you want to find a good man, look at the way he treats his mother. I disagree. You want to find a good man? Watch the way he treats his dog.”

—Miss Know It All

CAROLINE WOKE UP to the sound of the front door slamming. Rubbing her hands over her face, she glanced at the clock next to the bed and groaned at the red 6:07 A.M. mocking her.

Climbing out of bed, she went to the bathroom and brushed her teeth. After washing her face and twisting her hair up in a clip, she came out of the bathroom and smacked into Gabe.

He grabbed her, steadying her, and she caught herself staring up at him. The lids were heavy over his obsidian eyes, as if he were only half-awake. His face sported some scruff that made him look a little less perfect but no less handsome. His warm, firm grasp on her arms felt good, and the close proximity made it hard to resist stepping into him and snuggling against that hard chest. Would he wrap his arms around her, or would he pull away?

“You okay?” he asked, his voice gravelly with sleep.

Are you okay? No. You’re fantasizing about a man you despise, who takes advantage of drunk women. Stop it.

It still took her another moment to pull away. “Yeah, just sleepwalking. I’m guessing that was your sleepover guest who slammed out of here.”

“Yeah, she was running late for something.”

“Nothing like the walk of shame on a Thursday morning.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Gabe said, running his hand up and over the top of his head. His muscles flexed and bunched as he moved, and she silently told her body to stop swaying toward him. He wasn’t hot, and she needed to stay away from him.

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