Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
“Okay, sure.” I take his hand, and he helps me to my feet. I sway, almost falling, but Jake braces me, his hand on my hip.
“You okay there?” He stares down at me, amused.
“Yeah, I’m good.” I toss my cup into one of the trash bins. “No more of those.”
“Got it.” He motions with his hand in the direction we are going, and I grab a lantern off a picnic table as we pass by.
“How long have you worked here?” I ask. The path starts wide and friendly, with little signs pointing in different directions as gravel crunches under our feet.
“I freelance here whenever they have people who want to use the lines.” I swear his chest puffs out. “You have to have the right certifications.”
“Cool,” I say, feeling the need to respond.
Jake talks about crazy climbs he’s done, the brand-new cabin he bought, and how he’s gunning to hire people and expand his business. I make appropriate noises, only half-listening. Meanwhile, my mind keeps drifting back to West.
The ground beneath us goes from gravel to dirt and starts to narrow. I glance around for more signs, not wanting to end up climbing a tree again to find my way back.
“Jake, do you know where we’re going?” I stop and hold my lantern up higher, trying to get a better look around, but the trees are thicker here, having cut out most of the light from the moon.
“Shortcut.” I suppose he should know; he’s familiar with this place. His hand drops to the small of my back, and I stiffen. “Are you cold?”
“A little.” I step forward so I’m out of his reach, and his hand falls away. I hate lying, but I don’t want to be rude either. “Maybe we should head back.”
“It’s okay, we’re almost there.”
His hand returns to my back, only lower this time. His fingers spread, and I tense. Why is he so freaking close? Is he doing it on purpose, or is it because the path keeps growing smaller?
“You know, I’ve been watching you from day one. The whole cat girl thing. It’s cute.”
“Thanks.” Why does it sound patronizing when he calls me “cute”?
I try to move faster, but he keeps pace no matter the speed. His thigh bumps mine with every step, so I know it’s not quite an accident. I’ve had enough of him touching me, and I can’t do it anymore.
I stop walking, planting my feet. “I think I want to go back now.”
“Come on.” He tries to grab my hip to steer me farther down the trail. It’s getting darker with every step. “Don’t be like that. We’re just getting to know each other.”
Instantly panic starts to bloom in my chest. It’s tight but still spreading. This is wrong. This is very wrong. All the things that led me here play back through my mind. I didn’t see the red flags that I should’ve been watching for. But maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe he really is just clumsy or doesn’t want to admit he’s lost. Yet, even as I have these thoughts, I know I’m not wrong. I’m always making excuses for people, and that’s not smart. I need to get out of here.
For the first time, I really look at Jake. I’m not tiny, but I’m short. He’s not super tall himself, but he’s stocky. His chest is a solid wall of muscle. If he wanted to hurt me, he could.
“Don’t be like that.” Jake grabs my wrist and yanks me toward him.
“Stop.” I go to twist away from him, but he has my other arm now. His face is too close, his breath hot with whiskey. “Let go of me.”
“You’re so tense,” he laughs breathlessly. “Relax. You wanted to come out here.”
The word “wanted” sends me over the edge. My body reacts on instinct, and I scratch him. Hard. My nails rake across his cheek, and I feel them dig in. Then I see three red lines bloom, and it’s satisfying.
“Fuck.” He jerks back, and his hand flies to his face. I watch his whole expression morph, and as satisfying as that might have felt, I’m going to pay for it. “You little…”
He doesn’t finish his sentence before grabbing me again, rougher this time. I scream as pure fear unlike anything I’ve felt before floods my whole body.
Then I hear a crash through the woods that has both of us turning. In the distance, there’s movement in the underbrush, and then I see it. It’s a dark shape that’s moving fast, and the next thing I know, Jake is on the ground with West on top of him. West’s fist connects with his jaw once, twice, before a sickening crack rings out and makes my stomach lurch.
“Don’t you fucking touch her.” West’s voice is barely human. If anything, it sounds like a low growl. He hauls Jake up by his collar and hits him again. “If you ever—”