Page 47 of She Gives Love a Bad Name

Whoa. Where did that come from? Love’s a little strong.

I nibble on my lip. Damn it. Why does this shit have to be so damn complicated?

While the water comes to a boil, I dart to the bathroom to fix my hair. It’s a tangled mess, and I’m sure it’ll become even more of a mess when Grant returns.

Giddy delight consumes me. Heat curls in my chest, radiating down to where he thoroughly licked me until I came against his tongue. I can’t wait to see him completely bare. To get my mouth around his length. To torment him until he fists his hands in my hair and begs for me to end his torment. Then I’ll let him fuck me all night. I shiver with delight at the thought.

I tie my hair up and hear the door close. He’s back. With a deep, fortifying breath, I saunter out of the bedroom and lean against the doorframe.

There’s no one there. The apartment is empty. Maybe I’m hearing things. I check the water, which hasn’t started boiling yet.

The air conditioner is off. Hmm, I must have tripped a breaker. I’m not sure where the box is, but I flip the window unit’s switch on and off a few times just in case. Nothing.

I jump when a glass shatters on the floor behind me. I spin around, but the moment I do, a firm hand clamps over my mouth while another wraps around my waist.

Shit. It’s not Grant.

The murderer! He found me.

My head pivots, trying to catch a glimpse of him, but I’m pinned in place.

How did he find me? Is he going to kill me? Fear grabs me by the throat and chokes me. I try to scream, but when I inhale, I instead gag on a sweet, astringent, chemical scent.

The potent aroma stings my nose and triggers vague, abandoned, memories of mom’s hospital room. Of sterile hallways and empty gurneys and polite nurses offering their condolences. Memories I’d rather leave buried and forgotten.

I fight their hold, trying to wrench myself free from the memories, from the panic rising around me. I’m a ship sinking beneath the waves.

My head aches beneath the weight of the overpowering smell, and my eyes water causing my vision to waver. My arms push uselessly at my attacker’s grip. With a jerk, my legs give out beneath me.

My scream dies, muffled against the rag pressed to my face. Desperation claws at my consciousness.

Grant, help me!

The words fade away, and I unwillingly surrender to the darkness.

Chapter Seventeen

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