My heart is fluttering erratically from being woken up so abruptly. I turn on my left side, hoping to getmore comfortable. I fluff my pillows angrily, slamming my fists against them before throwing them back down on the bed with unnecessary force.
I'm overly dramatic, I know, but this was no ordinary night. I hate being woken up from a deep sleep. My room is still dark, and I can't see anything. I shut my eyes, but I feel apprehensive. I’m not sure why this feeling of impending doom is coming over me.
Something seems off. I have a burning sensation in the pit of my stomach. My whole body is peppered with goosebumps, and I feel crazy. I chalk it up to the reality of the night finally hitting me, but I'm still nervous.
Jesus Christ. I think I am losing my mind.
I sit up, rub my eyes, and look around the room. A cold uneasiness comes over me. My cat was spooked and only runs when another person’s present.
I’m acting irrationally, but I won’t take any chances. I lean over and reach for the top drawer of my nightstand. I open it up, feeling around for my gun. Suddenly, my heart stops in my chest. I shriek loudly, almost not recognizing my own voice. "Where the fuck is it!!!?" I feel terror take hold of my body, and I begin to shake.
I know I put it in this drawer!
With trembling hands,I tap the lamp on the nightstand, lighting up the room just enough to see if someone is hiding in the dark. It takes my eyes a minute to adjust to the dim glow. I look around, feeling the acid coming up in my throat. Swallowing hard, I pushed the vomit down that threatened to spill from my lips. I feel a shiver run down my spine.
Someone is here.
They took my only protection.
Oh my God. It must be him!
I get out of bed and slide my feet into my slippers, pulling them on tightly. My legs feel like jelly. For a minute, I don't think they will hold me up.
God, please don't let my limbs fail me right now.
I steady myself, hoping I don’t fall on my ass. Someone is in my house; I know it. That gun didn’t decide to take a midnight stroll and escape on its own. My heart is beating like a drum. I can feel a huge lump forming in my throat.
My insides are twisting into knots, making me nauseous. My brow is sweaty, and my breath is shallow. I wring my hands in front of me.
God, what if he is still here? Will he kill me?
I shake my head, trying to dismiss the scary thoughts from my mind. This isnotthe time to freak the hell out. I need to stay calm so I can get out of here.
I barely feel the hardwood floor under my feet as I slowly walk across the room. I am wearing only a T-shirt and underwear. Being half-naked isnotthe look I am going for in front of a stalker, but there isn’t any time to change.
I need to get the fuck out of the house. I am still forcing down tonight's supper, which I fear will come up as I get closer to the door.
It’s wide open.
I know I closed it halfway when I went to bed. My mouth is dry, and my tongue feels like sandpaper. I inch towards escape, hoping to get out of here in one piece. Just before I reach the door, someone kicks it shut, scaring the shit out of me.
I scream as loud as I can before a huge hand covers my mouth. My eyes bulge out of my head in sheerterror, and I hear a terrible ringing in my ears. I am petrified. I can feel the adrenaline rushing through my body as I stay perfectly still, frozen in fear.
The hand remains clasped over my mouth. He isn't pressing too hard where I can't breathe, but it feels like I’m struggling to get air into my lungs. I am going into a full-blown panic attack.
I started to hyperventilate. I try my hardest to gulp much-needed oxygen into my lungs. I am experiencing tunnel vision, and I feel like I am going to faint. His lips brush against my ear. His scent is very manly, with a hint of expensive cologne.
"Quiet, sweetheart. I need you to calm down. I will remove my hand from your mouth, but you can’t scream. If you do, I will have to punish you, and you don't want me to do that, do you?" I shake my head.
There’s no way I want this man to hurt me. His voice was deep and masculine, but also very gentle. It sent chills through me. Even though I am petrified, I am also angry and want to kick him in the nuts.
Judging by the size of the grizzly mitt covering my lips, I keep still, not wanting to piss him off. He could easily snap me in half if he wanted to.
He has my gun, and I have no other protection against him except me, so in other words, I am screwed. I am physically no match for the guy. I need to be smart about this. His hot breath lingers on my cheek as he whispers into my ear again.
“Can I remove my hand from your mouth, Kitlyn?”
He knows my name.
