02
1352 Words
EVA
It was well past midnight when I woke. Beside me, Kelly snored peacefully, as though nothing in the world could disturb her. I sat up slowly and reached for my phone on the nightstand.
The room was dark, so I switched on my phone's flashlight. I moved slowly and quietly, although I doubted I mattered. Kelly could sleep through almost anything.
Once I was in the living room, I sat on the couch and turned off my phone flashlight.
They say New York never sleeps.
Neither did I.
I sat there wondering what my life looked like from here.
Maybe this was the best time to go meet up with the agent Kelly told me about. He might be so busy by morning, and I didn't want to inconvenience Kelly by staying here for too long.
I knew she wanted me to stay, but I needed my own space, I need to figure out my life again.
I checked the address she'd sent me a few hours earlier and memorized it.
I would've looked it up online, but my phone battery was barely hanging on. And I forgot my laptop at Shane's place.
I will deal with it tomorrow.
With a deep breath, I grabbed my jacket from the back of the couch and headed for the door.
Reaching the door, I unlocked the bolt and eased it open. Wincing as it squeaked.
I paused.
Waiting for... I'm not sure.
Kelly waking up?
A neighbour catching me.
But nothing. Neither happened.
I slid out one foot first, then the other followed. Once I was outside, I gently pushed the door closed.
The cold night air bit at my cheeks, hard.I kept glancing over my shoulder as I walked toward the main road, hoping to find a cab.
The drive was long, and quiet.
Every time my thoughts drifted to Shane, I forced myself to look out the window instead.
The city lights blurred past, beautiful enough to distract me.
When I was certain I was at the exact address Kelly sent me, I released a deep sigh. The gate was already open like the owner was expecting someone.
Even the front door was slightly open, with dim lights peeking out.
Could this be a sign?
Summoning more courage than I felt, I reached for the heavy brass knocker. Before I could, the door swung open with force, and a blast of air ruffled my bangs.
"Holy shit." I winced and took a step back.
Never in my wildest imagination did I think I'd see the person standing before me. He seemed more beast than a man.
He filled the doorway.
Tall.
Far too tall.
Messy blond hair fell over a sharply cut face, and a trimmed black goatee only made him look more dangerous. Silver studs glinted in both ears.
He looked less like a man... and more like something carved out of violence.
Naked from the waist up, his muscular chest was covered in dark, intricate tattoos.
Holy Mary...
Was that a beheaded snake dripping blood across his neck?
A malicious scowl clouded his features as he stared down at me with cold and stormy eyes.
"I... I..." My brain froze. My jaw refused to cooperate.
"You're late."
In reality I know he'd spoken some normal English language words.
It didn't sound like it.
All I heard emanating from his lips was the deep, threatening growl of a beast. It doesn't help that he had the distinctive guttural purr of an Italian accent.
I'll be damned.
This man was definitely not the agent Kelly told me about!
My tongue felt thick and awkward in my mouth.
"I'm so sorry. There's been a mistake."
Before I could even check my phone again, my body was jerked off-balance. I stumbled backward, my heel slipping off the top step as I tried to get away from him.
His giant paw snatched me by the upper arm and dragged me over the threshold. I fell against the hard heat of his body.
"There's no mistake, Durazno. You're mine for the night."
The heavy black door swung shut, cutting me off from the safe sounds of civilization.
"No! Wait!"
My screams fell on deaf ears as the Italian beast carried me deeper into the house.
Gracious lord! What had I gotten myself into? This was really bad!
Stunned, I stayed frozen against his shoulder.
I must be really crazy because for the briefest moment... All I could think was how warm and oddly it felt.
There was just something about the protective feel of a powerful man's arm wrapped around me. I'd never experienced it before.
The heat of his skin. The steady thump of his heartbeat. The way his arms pressed into my thighs. The spicy scent of patchouli, mixed with tobacco. It was so... intoxicating.
This is insanity!
This man was a damn stranger!
A tattooed stranger with a bleeding snake tattooed across his neck, for heaven's sake!
What was I doing?
Placing my hands on a solid wall of muscle, I pushed free... Or at least tried to.
His arms tightened around me, pressing me against him. A shiver climbed my spine, slow and intimate, raising gooseflesh in its wake.
"I'm not whoever you think I am, please. This is really a mistake!"
"What is your name, Piccolo?"
Shaking my head, my heart raced as my gaze darted about the entry hall. Everywhere I looked was dimly lit with dark coloured marbles, from the floor to the sweeping staircase off to the side. It was chilling, silent and uninviting, but undoubtedly warm.
"Piccolo, I'm not a patient man. Tell me your name."
His Italian accent was unmistakable, each word melting like dark chocolate.
I wasn't going to say my name.
My world teetered as he moved towards the staircase.
"Stop!" My legs kicked out. I could hear the beast grunt as the heavy rubber sole of one of my Nike shoes connected with his midsection.
With his free hand, he easily captured my foot and pulled off that shoe, then the other shoe. As he tossed them aside, I watched as my only pathetic weapon tumbled down the marble steps only to land at the bottom.
In desperation, I reached out to grab the black wrought-iron railing that curved alongside the staircase.
For my efforts, I received a sharp slap on my ass. Despite the denim fabric of my pants, it stung and burned. Tears blurred my vision and several fell to stain the denim of his jeans. As we arrived at the top of the stairs, my chances of escape dwindled, especially if he got inside his bedroom.
With a renewed ferocity, I tried clawing at his back. But it did nothing.
He only laughed at my attempts, "Trying to use your little claws, Piccolo? Don't worry, you can draw your nails down my back all you want once my c**k is deep inside you."
The dizzying sway of his body as his hard shoulder pressed into my stomach made me feel sick and disoriented. My world tilted again as he swung me onto the bed.
My body sank deep into the luxurious thickness of his bedcovers. The emerald and gold down was so heavy it took some effort to rise onto my knees.
His back was turned to me as I heard the unmistakable click of the door lock. Panicked, my eyes searched the room for some other escape route. But all the doors led to nowhere. One was the bathroom, the other his wardrobe. God. Perhaps I could lock myself inside the bathroom and call for help?
Stumbling out of the bed, I threw my body forward as I tried to reach for that door.
The bedroom door flew open, knocking the breath from my lungs. An arm wrapped around my middle, pressing my back against the naked warmth of his wet chest.
"Running away, Bambino?" His voice came out velvety, deep and sinful.
I had to be hallucinating.
Because why was I trying to escape from one terrifying man only run into another, in the same freaking room?!
- Writer
