It was unapologetically sleazy, and I was a fly caught in his erotic web.
“Jack, I think that Jonah needs air down there.”
I tensed as Jack reached to pull down my zipper, then lowered my jeans and underwear to release my erection. I didn’t care how exposed I was—I wanted this man—Eliot’s gift to me.
The constant dread of sabotaging my career had made me resent my desires, and it felt so unbelievably unfair.
“What do you want, Jonah?” Eliot whispered in my ear.
“I want…”
“Say it. No one will judge.”
“I want to fuck you,” I told Jack, a tear sliding down my cheek.
Eliot squeezed my shoulders in approval. Without saying a word, Jack went to lean over the couch, spreading his legs.
“Go on,” Eliot prompted when I failed to command my limbs.
I drew a breath, pushed myself from the chair, and turned to look at Eliot. “Will you tell anyone about this?” I never felt more vulnerable, standing with my cock out in front of the man who had unmasked me.
Eliot’s eyes hardened. “I will never tell, Jonah.”
And I believed him with all my heart.
CHAPTER FOUR
2006
The morning after Samuel’s visit, movement was not in my cards. The painkillers kept me from calling an ambulance, but I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. When my bladder demanded to be emptied, I maneuvered myself to the edge of the bed and peed on the floor.
I’d received phone calls from Jenny and two suppliers, but I ignored them until my battery died. On the second day, I finally managed to drag myself out of bed. Feeling lightheaded and dehydrated, I shuffled to the bathroom, drinking from the tap until my throat felt less ashy. I continued to the kitchen and forced a bit of food into my hollow stomach.
With those basic survival needs taken care of, I returned to sleep the pain away.
*
Two days later, I sat on my porch, enjoying the afternoon breeze and my latest painkiller. By now, the pain was bearable if I sat still.
The sound of an approaching car cut through the silence. I put down the book I was reading, guessing it was Jenny coming to check up on me. I’d texted her yesterday that I was fine andwould be back next week, but it was like her to come check anyway.
The car took a final turn and came into view, but it wasn’t Jenny. I scowled at the police car as it parked in front of my porch. A policeman climbed out, glancing around as if he wasn’t sure he had the right place. I assumed he didn’t.
“Hi there. Are you Jonah Carter, sir?” He had a kind face and a thick, gray mustache.
I nodded. “That’s me.” My voice was hoarse since I hadn’t used it in days.
“I’m Officer Wilson. Sorry to bother you, sir, but I was asked to bring you down to the station for questioning. We tried calling your cell phone several times but couldn’t reach you.”
My phone had been dead for the last few days until I recharged it last night. My thoughts began to swirl. How the hell couldIbe wanted for questioning?
Officer Wilson said, “I want to make it clear that you are not under arrest or a suspect of any crime, but I was told by the detective not to share any more information. You can take your car, or I can drive you to the station and back.”
Dozens of questions circled in my head, but I settled for one. “Does the detective’s name happen to be Hayden Scott?”
Officer Wilson nodded. “That’s him. You two know each other?”
“Some. Can I go to the station tomorrow?” Another day to heal would go a long way.
