Page 13 of Crazy In Love (Secrets of Suburbi 3)

"Why exactly did you get this for me?"

"I thought you'd be more likely to give me answers if you were happy." I sat down in the chair across from him.

"And you thought a glowing reindeer would make me happy?"

"A glowing Rudolph. Yes."

"Ah. Of course."

I leaned forward, placing my elbows on my knees.

His eyes drifted to my breasts and I sat back up straight and cleared my throat.

"So you're happy?" I asked.

"You have me tied up in your basement. You made me pee in a bucket and then tased me while I was zipping my pants. And my whole body hurts, so I'm pretty sure you hit me with a baseball bat or something in order to get me down here in the first place."

"I drugged you actually. And then you fell down the stairs. It was an accident."

"Was it? Or did you push me?"

"What?" I put my hand on my chest. "Why on earth would I push you down the stairs?" Say it. Tell me why you deserved it.

"Why on earth would you kidnap me in the first place?" His chair jumped forward slightly as he struggled against his restraints. "You're fucking crazy!"

I sighed. I thought we were getting along so well earlier. And the Rudolph was a peace offering. What had gone wrong?

The doorbell rang and we both looked up at the ceiling.

Shit. Who the hell was at my door? My heart started racing as I stood up. Had Manager Jerry already informed on me? Was Detective Torres just checking in? Was it stupid nosy Sally? Fingers crossed it was the mailman. I ran for the stairs.

"Help!"

My head snapped back toward him.

"Someone help me!"

"Stop it," I said. "Be quiet."

"I've been kidnapped!" he yelled.

"Stop it right now," I said more firmly.

"I'm being held against my will by a psychopath!" he screamed.

I’m not a psychopath. I stared at my prisoner.

He stared back at me.

The doorbell was accompanied by a loud knock this time.

"I'm not a psychopath," I said. "Words hurt."

"You know what else hurts? Having coarse rope tied around your wrists!"

For goodness sakes. "Only because you keep moving," I said. I grabbed the fabric around his neck. It took me longer than usual with his head squirming around, but I successfully gagged him. I grabbed his chin, turning his face to me. "We'll continue this discussion later."

His nostrils flared.

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