Page 27 of Downfall

Pressing me against the door to his room, his tongue exploring my mouth and teeth nipping at my lips, he digs through his pockets for his keycard. Just as the lock beeps and the door swings open, Rett’s cell phone rings in his pocket. His lips leave mine, and he frowns as an annoyed groan leaves his throat.

“That’s my work phone. I have to answer it.” He bites his lip as he stares at my mouth. He looks like he’s considering ignoring it, anyway, when he says, “I’ll just be a minute, I swear.”

I nod and move further into the room. It’s set up like any regular hotel room. A bathroom to the right of the door and a small hallway leading to an open space. A neatly made queen-size bed with a bright orange quilt is against one wall facing a dresser with a minibar and TV on top against the opposite wall. The sliding-glass door on the far side of the room calls me forward, and I sit outside on the balcony while I wait, listening to the waves and the sounds from the bar downstairs. The cool breeze from the ocean nips at my heated skin, and I wonder if there are any mini bottles of tequila in Rett’s minibar to help warm me up.

Through the closed door, I can hear Rett arguing with someone on the phone. It doesn’t sound good, and I hope everything is okay. But mostly, I hope the call doesn’t ruin his mood.

Lost in my own dirty thoughts, I don’t hear the door open. When Rett appears next to me, I’m startled, but when I see the frown locked on his face, my shock turns to concern.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, my eyebrows drawn together.

“I have to go.” He turns toward me, taking my hands in his. His face is twisted in regret, but I can see anger in his eyes.

“What? When?”

“Now. My flight is in an hour. That was my boss, and apparently, they needmeon a high-priority case right away. And the best part: it’s in New Jersey, where I’ll have to stay until the case is wrapped up. So I fly home to San Diego tonight to pack, then fly out again tomorrow morning.”

“That’s—I’m so sorry.” I have no idea what to say, but all I can think is,How did he know?

Chapter 20

Abby

AfterthenightRettleft, Viv and I spent the next three days lounging around the resort. By Saturday afternoon, we are ready for a change of scenery. We’ve tried all the restaurants and every signature drink, and I’ve decided that tonight, for the last night of our vacation, we are going out on the town.

There is a small city a few miles down the road, near the airport. The resort’s concierge made me a list of the best restaurants and clubs, and she was sure to include which parts of the city were the safest.

Viv isn’t convinced it’s a good idea to leave the resort since we are positive it was my stalker who sent Rett away, but I think I have him figured out now.

“He’s never hurt me, Viv. The worst thing he’s done is keep men away from me. As long as I don’t try to sleep with anyone, we’ll be just fine,” I argue. We’re on loungers by the pool, frozen margaritas in our hands.

“I guess you’re right. But we’re still in a foreign country, Abby. Anything could go wrong. If we go out, we need to be extra careful. Like one-drink-maximum careful.”

“I agree to your terms. Let’s go upstairs and get ready.” I jump up, more than ready to relieve this stir crazy feeling by getting out for the night.

When we get back to the suite, I plan to make a beeline to my room to shower, but a familiar plain box on the dining table stops me in my tracks. It’s exactly the same as when I received my othergifts, but this one is larger. Much larger.

Viv has seen each package I’ve gotten after the fact, but has never been with me to open one. I look over my shoulder at her, at her look of distress, and shrug. I truly don’t think he, whoever he is, wants to hurt me. If anything, his gifts are usually kind of thoughtful.

Moving toward the box, I take a deep breath, then rip it open. On top of many items wrapped in tissue paper, is a card. I take it out and gasp as I read the note. We’ve only been talking about the possibility of going out tonight for a few hours—out by the pool—but our night has been completely planned.

A driver will be at the resort entrance at 8pm.

The ride, dinner, and a VIP table at the club are taken care of.

Enjoy your night.

I hand the card to Viv, too stunned to say a word, and move to open the rest of the gift. Unwrapping the first bundle, I find a gorgeous black leather minidress, and underneath it is a shoebox with matching heeled boots. I lay them on the table beside the box and pull out the next item. It’s another dress, this one satin and the color of honey. And, of course, a matching pair of gorgeous strappy heels.

Checking the tags, I realize the black dress and boots are for Viv, and the honey-colored dress is for me.

“I never thought I’d be getting gifts from your stalker,” she says, then with wide eyes, she adds, “Oh my god, Abbs, he paid for our spa day.”

My eyes go wide, too. This is too much. “I don’t even know if I should be freaked out or grateful. Actually, fuck that, I’m angry. I haven’t had sex in three fucking years!”

Viv laughs, grabbing her new outfit and heading to her room to get ready. “I still get to fuck whoever I want, so if he wants to keep buying me shit, I’m cool with this arrangement.”

At eight, a blacked-out SUV meets us at the front of the resort to take us to the nearby city, and as promised, it’s already been paid for. The driver even refuses to take a tip.

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