His eyes light with pure joy, sending a shiver of unease down my spine. How quickly he switches from one extreme to the other is enough to give anyone emotional whiplash.
If only I could fight him off. But my fist did nothing to stop him, and I don’t keep anything useful stashed away within reach. With the way his hold refuses to leave my skin for a moment, a second chance to run doesn’t seem to be in my future, either.
Scott could be out there, moments from ripping the front door off the hinges, seconds from stomping out this nightmare. Or he could still be passed out cold on the floor of that hut so deep in the woods he’d never hear me scream.
It’s only me. And it’s now or never.
Drawing in the deepest settling breath, I raise my softened gaze to meet his.
“Of course I remember. How could I forget you, Braxton?” I ask while running trembling fingers through his hair.
He leans into my touch, eyes closing for the briefest of moments. “Then, why? Why run, baby? You know I’d never do anything to hurt you. I just want us to finally be together,” he whispers, closing the space between us.
Jesus fucking Christ, this man is certifiable.
“I was scared.” I let my eyes well with the tears I’ve only just calmed. “How could you ever forgive me, after what I did?”
His lips press against my forehead, but his grip on my waist tightens, digging into my bones. He walks us back until the mattress hits the back of my thighs.
“Lay down, Ava.” His cold tone leaves no room for argument.
My ass hits the mattress. I want to keep up the charade. It’s the only thing working in my favor, but at what cost?
His fingers reach for the zipper on my jacket. This time, I don’t flinch away. Every tick of another tooth freed echoes through the room like a countdown.
How far can I let this go? Should I give in to his obvious desires if it means getting out of this… alive?
The thick winter material falls open, pilfering another layer of armor. Yet, he’s gentle when he pulls it free from my arms and drops it in the corner.
“Get under the blankets. I need to get a fire going first.”
The knot in my throat keeps my agreement tucked in tight, but he doesn’t catch my hesitation. Leaving me to listen and turning his back as if I’ve regained his trust, he moves quickly to the wood stove.
Again, I scan the room, nothing but small figurines atop my dresser, and the bedside lamp are within reach. My fingers itch to grab it, but the creak of the grate opening pulls my attention.
He’s locked on, eyes eating me alive as they take me in across the small space. I shuffle backwards, tucking beneath the blankets, and he nods his approval with a sly smirk.
I hate every second of this. This week was supposed to be a chance to unwind, spend time with my family, and play in the snow. I didn’t sign up to become another episode on a true crime podcast because some crazed stalker was obsessed with me.
“There. It should be warm in no time,” he says, standing at the foot of the bed.
Nerves ignite throughout my body as I scrounge up the courage to finally ask, “Could… could you maybe make me a cup of tea? I think it would help. Then we can talk?”
I’m not lying, a cup of tea would definitely take away the cold ingrained in my bones at this point, but it’s the time I need to come up with a plan better than letting this man take advantage of me.
“Of course. Peppermint with a bit of honey, right?”
I nod, forcing a small smile across my face. “Thank you.”
When I hear the faucet in the kitchen, I throw the blankets aside and slip to the edge of the mattress. Quietly, I pull my jacket and boots back on. My heart races with every second that passes. I try to slow it so I can listen to his footsteps in the other room.
If I can hear him, can he hear me?
It doesn’t matter. I step out into the hall, just around the corner, so if he peeks back, he won’t see me.
Should I announce I’m going to the bathroom? Or will that make him suspicious? If I don’t, will he freak out and come running when he hears the door close and the water flush?
“Hey, Braxton, I’m going to go to the bathroom,” I shout and hold my breath.
