Page 13 of Hunting Gianna

I know what he is. He’s the devil wearing the smile of an angel.

But I don’t know what to do about it.

"Breakfast sounds good," I say, trying to hold on to something, trying to make it seem like my choice.

We sit across from each other, like this is a first date and we’re two lovers, sharing pancakes and coffee.

"Do you live here?" I ask.

"As much as anywhere else, I suppose." He doesn't look away. Not once. Not fucking ever. I feel my cheeks burn. It wasn't the answer I wanted, but it was. It was and it wasn't, like everything about this.

The kitchen is quiet. His presence is not.

I try again. "It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as some things." The pause after he says it, the way it hangs.

Such a smooth talker.“You say that to all the women you kidnap?”

He chuckles. “Kidnap? You came here. And to answer your question, no Gianna. Those words are reserved for you.”

My fuck he’s intense. Not even keeping anything behind those lips that look so soft, they’d destroy me and rebuild me with one kiss.

I fill my mouth with food, trying to fill the spaces I can't close up. Trying to fill the emptiness, the hunger, the suffocating want.

I fight to keep the nervousness down, but it's like trying to push a fire out with more flames. The shame of wanting him, even as a one night stand, a rebound, of sorts. Of knowing he knows. Of wanting more than I’ve ever wanted anything. Certainly more than I ever wanted to fuck my ex. But how the hell does one approach something like that?Yeah, um, so let’s bang and then I’ll be on my merry way?I focus on the table as I think.It’s ridiculous, really. I should be calling the cops and yet…My pussy decides to start throbbing again and I squirm, trying to get rid of the feeling.

"Seems like you found a nice spot." My voice is too loud, too eager, too fragile. "It's isolated. Remote. Out of the way."

"Great for getting away."

Or getting luring unsuspecting women inside.Oh fuck, what the hell am I doing? This shit is dangerous as fuck. I am going to land up on Missing Women posters.

The heaviness settles over me, and I don't push it off. I let it in, knowing how dangerous it is.

"What about you?" He asks, tilting his head to study my face, my body language. "How’d you end up in the middle of nowhere?"

I swallow hard, and the sound seems to echo. "Thought I’d unplug," I say. My tongue trips over the words. "Take some time alone. I wasn’t... wasn’t expecting this. The storm. I mean. It wasn’t in the forecast for this week."

“Hmmm, weather up here can change pretty rapidly. But since it’s still going, you’re welcome to stay another night.”

I can hardly speak because my mouth is so dry and it’s as if there’s cotton balls in my mouth.

Taking a long sip of coffee, I clear my throat and my voice comes out a squeak. "I don’t want to impose."

He leans in, and it makes me shiver, goosebumps spreading over my skin. "Stay as long as you need."

A careful breath. I put the mug down, pretend my hands are steady. He is so close. Too close and not close enough. His knee touches mine under the table, and I lose the rest of my defenses. "If you’re sure..." A quiet plea that shames me, a quiet plea that saves me. A quiet, soft defeat.

"I’m sure."

The mug slips, spilling my coffee. Exhaustion, to be sure. Definitely not him. He’s not affecting me this way.Nope.He watches me clean it up, knows it’s me who’s undone. Not the fucking coffee.

My God what have I just agreed to?

It would be safer in the woods.

Chapter Six

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