Page 28 of Vicious Little Darling

Chapter Fourteen

EMBER

Skull-face rolls my nipples between the pads of his fingers, and a fresh burst of arousal floods my pussy. A light moan escapes from my lips and the post-sex giggles quickly fade away. My back arches, but before I can go any further, he pulls away.

“Goodnight, Ember,” he mutters, his voice distorted. With that, he turns away, slipping out of my room and consequently my apartment. The door slams behind him, and I jump out of bed, before running to the front door.

I grab the handle, intending to pull it open, but then I stop myself.Why the hell would I go after him? Why do I care that he left so abruptly?

The answer is… Idon’t.

Well, that’s what itshouldbe. Yet, as I roll the deadlock into place, disappointment and confusion are panging in my chest. I should feel scared, relieved, and violated—all of the things that come from someone’s breaking into my apartment and demandingsexwith me. Instead, I’m pining after him.

And he clearly didnotgive a shit about that.

He ran out of here as if I did something wrong.DidI do something wrong? I bite down on my lower lip and spin around, pressing my back to the door. As I rest there, moisture oozes from between my legs, further serving to remind me that not only did I have sex with the man in the mask but I hadunprotectedsex.

I’m so freaking stupid.

I creep back to my room, knowing the door is locked, and I climb into bed. I’d heard him come in so easily; either he had a key or I forgot to lock it in my fatigue induced stupor. I pull the covers up to my chin, breathing in the scent of my laundry detergent mixed with another more masculine scent.

I have to stop letting him touch me.

The thought bounces around my head as the reality of my situation tugs at my common sense. I’m being reckless and, although I’ve never been someone who lives in a state of constant fear, I’ve alsoneverbeen the type to just throw caution to the wind. I mean, this guy couldkillme. He’s already breaking and entering and having sex with me—what else is he capable of? Would he have still forced me to have sex if I’d have said no?

The questions swirl around in my head with no answer, and I wrap my arms around my spare pillow, clutching it to my chest. Every little noise sends a jolt of fear through my body, but by some miracle, I’m able to fall asleep.

***

“My God, you look like a ghost,” Megan drawls as I step into the bookstore, barely able to keep my eyes open.

I brush the hair from my face. “I started a second job last night. It’s just going to take some getting used to.”

Megan frowns and her eyes follow me as I walk around the counter and drop my things to the floor.

“Girl, I don’t think you should be getting a second job if it’s going to run you so ragged.”

I pat her arm as I slip past her and head for the coffee machine.

“It’s not that big of a deal. I just had trouble sleeping last night.” I keep my focus away from her, the sore sensation is a constant reminder of what I let a stranger do to me. I take a deep breath and kick on the machine. “It’s just working for Josh,” I add, glancing back at her. “Not a big deal.”

“So youfinallygave into him then?” Megan shoots me a funny look, her red hair pulled half-up and her makeup dark around her eyes. She’s basically a grown-up goth girl and, while I admire her style, I’d never have the energy to put in the amount of effort she does. The thought makes me feel even more fatigued.

“Em?”

“Huh?” I realize I’ve zoned out, just staring at her face. “Oh, sorry.” I shake my head. “Um, yeah, I guess I gave into letting him hire me.”

“You know he’d pay you for absolutely nothing. I don’t know why you’re so honorable.”

You would not be calling me that if you knew what I did last night.I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and grab a Styrofoam cup, filling it with dark liquid. “I don’t want Josh to pay me for no reason. You know that. He’s my friend, not my sugar daddy.”

She bursts into a cackle. “He’d keel over in fucking joy if you asked him to be your sugar daddy.”

“No way.” I roll my eyes and dump a load of creamer in and stir the coffee. “We’ve been friends way too long for it to be anything more.”

“That literally means nothing,” Megan counters. “You can be friends with someone your whole life, and not realize what’s right in front of your face until later. I’ve seen it happen plenty of times.”

“Yeah, like when? In the movies?” I turn to face her, sipping on the coffee. I glance down at myHidden Booksshirt, which just so happens to be wrinkled beyond repair this morning, and use my free hand to try and smooth out the wrinkles.

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