Page 2 of Her Double Desire

I step softly across the cold floor on my bare feet. The hangover has been replaced by fight or flight; I'm in a place I don't know with a tattoo I don't remember getting. Quickly I search on the floor, then in the tiny dresser, desperate to find any of my things—but mostly I want my cellphone.

There's nothing inside the dresser. It's completely bare.

Turning in place, noticing there are no windows, I eye the only other door. This probably isn't a hotel. I'm starting to think I'm in someone's house.

Easing the heavy door open, I peer out into a long hallway. Unlike my plain room, the hall is glamorous. Recessed lighting makes it bright and welcoming. Beautiful wallpaper with geometric diamond designs and large oil paintings of landscapes screamsluxury.

Where the hell am I?

Creeping down the hall, I strain my ears for any noises. I don't think I'm alone, but I can't be sure. As I turn a corner, I find myself approaching a fenced balcony and curving stairs.

A jumble of conversation reaches my ears; I freeze, holding my breath. I try to gauge if the voices sound friendly or not.There's no point in stalling,I tell myself firmly.You need answers. You won't get them without talking to someone.Maybe whoever is at the bottom of the stairs brought me here last night out of kindness.

Maybe they know why my fucking throat is tattooed.

I crest the balcony and scan below. There, in a room so elegant it belongs in a HGTV show, are two men. From my angle, I can't tell much about them. They're huddled together and talking urgently.

As I'm deciding how to approach them—and far too aware of my lack of bra or shoes—one of them glances upwards. Our eyes lock. His are a vibrant green that makes me inhale sharply.

His jaw is angular, his temples touched by salt and pepper hair that's thick along his scalp, but cut closer on the sides. His tanned skin is complimented by a silver vest with a bronze and teal skinny-tie. The only men I know who dress in tailored outfits like that are people who sweat money.

He's undeniably handsome. As he studies me, his eyes narrow. The edge of his full lips draws high like a curtain before a grand show. I've experienced many things in my life, but never such a combination of fear and attraction.

“There you are,” he calls, drawing the attention of the other man. “I was beginning to think you'd sleep straight through the night.”

I stiffen; I'm not naked, but I feel extremely exposed. The second guy folds his arms and squints. “You'resurethat's the one we got last night?” he asks. “She looks... well, a little rougher than I remember. Don't you think so, Jared?”

“Of course not,” Jared snaps. “I know the face of the woman we bought, Shawn.”

A fingertip of fear glides up my spine.Bought?Surely I heard him wrong.

Jared's smile spreads wider. He approaches the bottom of the curling stairs, his palms lifting in a peaceful way. “Come down and say hello. Let's get a better look at you so we know what we're working with.”

I make no move to descend, my fingers grabbing the banister. My skull won't stop swelling. “What... what's going on, where am I? Whoareyou?”

The men share a long look, conspiring in silence. Finally, Jared clears his throat. “You mean you don't remember?”

“Of course not!” I shake my head slowly, my vision getting tight and scrunched. “Someone just tell me what's going on. One minute I'm raising hell with a friend, the next, I... I...” As the world flickers at the edges like a dying film strip, my knees wobble. I slip forward down the stairs before I can stop myself.

Distantly, I hear someone shout, but my mind has shut down from the stress of the situation. But that's okay. Because I think, if I fall asleep again, when I wake up next time, everything will be alright.

It has to be.

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