Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Oh, thank God. He smiles again. “I knew you would appreciate it. You’re not like those other immature and shallow girls your age. You’re smart and wise beyond your years.”
He says it with tenderness. It makes me crazy. The way he really thinks he knows me just like I thought I knew him. I guess we were both wrong. All the times I went to him, all the times he found me pouting and sulking and cheered me up. Was it always an excuse to get closer to me, those moments we spent talking? Did he always pretend to be my friend when he really wanted more?
“I can’t wait to see more of the place.” And the land around it, but I can’t mention that. How can I bring it up without being obvious?
He stifles a yawn before shrugging. “There’s really not that much to see. It’s not the kind of house you’re used to living in. But you don’t care about things like that, do you?” His smile is sweet and adoring and sickening. “That’s not who you are. That’s not my Allie.”
Oh no. I can barely pull in a strangled breath when he stretches his neck, brushing his lips against my cheek. It makes my skin crawl and my stomach churn. His lips are soft, his kisses tender, and I almost recoil before I can stop myself.
It’s his gentle, satisfied sigh that’s the worst. “Oh, Allie,” he whispers in my ear. The scruff on his cheek is like sandpaper, scraping my skin. “Allie…”
I hold my breath, squeezing my eyes shut when his hand moves up my side, tracing my waist, fingers pressing in before he brushes his thumb over the side of my boob. My skin crawls, and every part of me begs to throw him off, to kick him and scream and spit in his face. If I did, there’s no way I could guarantee that I would survive.
But it would probably feel really good at the moment.
No, I can’t throw my life away like that. And I can’t let panic take over. He thinks he loves me. I have to use that.
His hand creeps around like he’s thinking about palming me. His ragged breath is hot against my face. “Allie… I’ve waited so long for this…”
“I have to go to the bathroom,” I squeak out.
He freezes. “Right now?” he whispers, like maybe I’ll change my mind or something.
“Yes, I’m sorry, it’s been hours.” He makes a frustrated sort of sound. “I didn’t want to wake you up,” I add. “I’ve had to go for a while now, but you were sleeping so soundly.”
Tension eases from his muscles before he clicks his tongue. “You’re always thinking about others. But I can’t have you making yourself sick. If you need something, you have to tell me so.”
I need to go home! I need Mom and Kade and Saint! “Thank you,” I whisper.
I can’t help trembling with relief when he pushes himself off me for the first time since he lay down. “Come on. I’ll show you the way.”
He extends a calloused hand like I can’t get up on my own, but I have to take it. I have to accept the gesture because I fear what he’ll do otherwise. I’m in a cage with a rabid animal, doing everything I can to keep it from attacking. I have to believe he won’t hurt me… but I’m not going to give him any reason to, either. Not if I can help it. Not when it took nothing for him to bash in Jackson’s skull.
“This is really nice,” I offer even as I recoil inside when he leads me through a pretty sad, bleak little shack. Outside the bedroom is one large room that serves as the entire living space, with a sink and a small stove in the far corner.
A tiny bathroom is located to the left of the bedroom, and he opens the door now with a flourish. “There you go.”
I’m not comfortable with his energy right now. He’s hopeful, like a little boy who has been waiting for a present for a very long time. I can only imagine that he expects to take me back to bed once I’m finished. “Thank you. Be right back.” I have to consciously keep from slamming the door shut between us. It’s not the same as escaping, but it’s the first few moments I’ve spent alone since this whole nightmare started. I touch my forehead to the wood, eyes closed against the tears that spring up.
What am I going to do?
It’s obvious he’s done work here with me in mind, adding hand towels with flowers embroidered on them and the same floral curtains that hang in the bedroom. Of course, I try to open the window right away, but it’s stuck. It’s too small for me to fit through, anyway. Beyond the old, grimy glass is nothing but trees, whose bare branches click together in the wind like bony fingers. I don’t know what time it is, but sunrise has to be coming soon. It just has to be. I mean, I’d been lying there forever.