PART 4–CHAPTER 175
JESS
I pulled on my oversized sweatshirt, the fabric hanging off my shoulders like a protective cocoon. It felt heavy and comforting, but underneath, my heart raced like a trapped animal. I barely had both my boots on when the door creaked open, and I froze.
Eric stood in the doorway, his silhouette framed by the dim light of the hallway. He was still without a shirt, and I could see his erection straining against his sweat. His eyes scanned the room, and for a moment, I thought I saw something like curiosity flicker across his face. But it was more primal than that, a predator sizing up its prey. My stomach twisted.
“Hey, Jess,” he said, his voice smooth like honey, but there was an edge to it. “What are you doing up here? Now that I think. about it, up here might be better anyway,” Eric winked and stepped into the room. I had to think fast before he reached me.
“Uh, I’m just packing. This is such bad timing, but I need to get home,” I mumbled, forcing a frown. I had to put on the best show now, but inside, my nerves were fraying. “My mom fell and hurt herself.”
His brow furrowed slightly, but the grin returned. “That sounds serious. You okay?”
“Yeah, I just… I need to get there to find out what happened.” My heart pounded as I walked toward him, stepping lightly on the carpet as if any noise would alert him to my anxiety. “Could you
0.00%
284 Wouchers
drive me?”
“Of course,” he said, moving over to the dresser while I threw things in a bag. “Mind if I leave a few things here? We will probably come back… I hope,” I smiled at him, and Eric pulled me to him and kissed me. “Of course we will,” Eric purred, letting me go. I brushed past him to get to the cupboard, and a shiver crawled up my spine as if I could feel his gaze lingering on my back. I felt trapped.
I wanted to scream, to run, but my feet felt glued to the floor. I forced myself to stay calm and to breathe, but my thoughts swirled like a storm.
“I’m happy you got a signal up here. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have known about your mother,” Eric said, watching me finish packing.
“I know,” I replied, biting my lip. She just called and said she fell, and then the signal cut out.” I prayed it sounded convincing, but as I–spoke, I felt the truth slip away from me. I wasn’t sure what I was saying, only that I needed to get out of here.
As we reached the door, my phone buzzed violently on the dresser. The sound shattered the fragile silence. I froze, and so did Eric, his eyes darting to my phone as if it held the answers to a puzzle I didn’t know I was solving.
“Shouldn’t you get that?” he asked, his voice teasing, but I sensed an edge beneath it, a warning.
“Uh, it can wait,” I said quickly, but he stepped closer, his playful grin shifting into something sharper and predatory.
He leaned over, and I felt my breath hitch in my throat. He was
OR:52
PART 4–CHAPTER 176
standing next to my phone, peering down at the screen, curiosity etched across his features.
“Let’s see who it is,” he said, the words a smooth drawl that sent chills racing through me. I fought the urge to reach for it, to snatch it away, but I felt frozen in place. My stomach churned, and panic clawed at my insides.
Eric’s grin widened as he read the name on the screen, the glow illuminating his features. “Oh, Jess,” he said, his tone teasing yet filled with something darker. “You spoiled all of it now.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady despite the tremor threatening to break free. “It’s just a-
“It’s just a text from your little friend, Laura.” He looked up at me, amusement dancing in his eyes, but it felt menacing. “Didn’t she tell you to get the hell out of here?”
My heart raced as his words sunk in, a cold wave of dread crashing over me. Laura knew something was wrong. She was trying to warn me.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” I replied, trying to sound casual, but the quiver in my voice betrayed me. “She’s just being dramatic.”
“Dramatic?” He laughed, the sound low and almost musical, but it sent ice coursing through my veins. “You really think so?”
I didn’t respond, my throat tightening as his gaze locked onto mine. The air felt thick, suffocating, and all I could think was how close I was to the door, how easy it would be to bolt if I could just muster the courage.
35.731
PART 4 CHAPTER 175
“Here’s the thing, Jess,” he said, stepping back slightly but. keeping his eyes fixed on me. “I don’t like when people lie. And I really don’t like being lied to.”
I forced myself to breathe, to stay calm, but every instinct screamed for me to run. “I’m not lying,” I insisted, but the tremor in my voice was undeniable. “I just want to go home.”
“Home?” he echoed, tilting his head, studying me like a piece of art. “You think you can just walk out of here like nothing happened?”
Before I could respond, the phone buzzed again, and his eyes flicked to the screen once more. My heart pounded in my chest, but I refused to let fear paralyze me.
“Well, now I guess you know. Just give us a try, Jess. I know we can be good together,” Eric said, hope plastered across his face.
Shit.
I needed to get the fuck out of here.
