The fire in front of us crackles and spits little sparks into the air. The later it gets, the cooler the breeze becomes. I lean back in the chair, leaving a small amount of space between us to look at her. Her eyes are blown, and her skin is pebbled from the cool air.
“Tell me you want this,” I say, running my fingers along the material of her panties. “We stop when you want. We go as far asyou want. Whatever you need, Brielle.” I know I sound fucking desperate, but for her, how can I not be?
“Touch me.” Her words come out only moments later, and I don’t waste any time. My lips press to hers, and everything else melts away. All the problems I have to fix, all the shit with Troy. Everything disappears, and I put my all into this moment with her because there’s a chance she’ll regret this in the morning.
As our lips stay connected, I move her panties to the side, feeling all the wetness between her thighs.
God, I could stay like this forever if she’d let me.
“Fuck, you’re soaked.” She bites her lip, trying to hold the moan in as the tips of my fingers move through the wetness of her center. “You’re so beautiful, Brielle. So fucking perfect.”
“Emris,” she pants as the tip of my finger enters her, but before I can do anything else, Brielle pushes my chest and stands, almost falling to the dirt but catching herself at the last minute. Her eyes dart around, as if looking for somewhere to go.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, genuinely confused as I push up from the chair, desperately wanting to know what the hell happened.
“I—we can’t do this,” is all she says as she turns and runs into the house, the door slamming closed behind her.
I stand there, running a hand through my hair, wondering what the fuck just happened.
21
BRIELLE
Partof me doesn’t want to leave. Part of me wants to stay here—to make this place my home with Emris, and maybe Carson, even though they both drive me nuts.
Somewhere along the way, I’ve started to feel comfortable here. Safe, almost.
And Emris. I hate how easily he gets under my skin. How he looks at me like he sees me… and how badly I want to believe that means something.
But I can’t stay. This isn’t my home. These aren’t my people. They are still the men who knocked me out, dragged me away from my life, and offered no explanation. It doesn’t matter if I feel safe here. It doesn’t matter if my heart keeps betraying me. None of it matters, because I’m leaving.
I sit on the floor with my back against the bed, waiting a little while longer before I take the car keys I stole and get the hell out of here.
I keep questioning whether I’d be leaving if I knew Susie was safe, but I can’t chance it. I can’t live my life—as much as you can live it as a captive—knowing she could be chained up in someone’s basement or worse. That’s why I’m leaving tonight. Every night that passes is another night she could be hurt or introuble. Susie helped me when I needed it, and the least I can do is return the favor if she needs someone now. Carson says she was mixed up with bad people, but he’s never given me a reason to trust him.
Minutes pass by as I watch the clock. I have to leave late enough to ensure Emris is asleep and Carson is back in the guest house. He won’t be able to hear anything from up here—or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.
The second the clock strikes two a.m., I jump up from the floor, keys already biting into my palm. I move on instinct toward the door, and the lock doesn’t fight me, but I already knew it wouldn’t. Emris decided I was trustworthy when it came to me trying to leave.
Poor judgment on his end.
I ease the doorknob open an inch at a time, holding my breath as the door creaks open. Sticking my head out first, I look around to make sure the coast is clear before testing my weight with each step, but the silence is so loud. I wince when the floor creaks below me, freezing mid-step as my heart hammers while I listen for any sign that Emris is awake. I don’t wait long before I head for the front door.
The second I step outside, I shiver, wishing I had grabbed one of the jackets Emris had bought, but it didn’t feel right taking anything he paid for aside from the clothes I’m wearing. Everything else I left. I grip the car keys in my hand as I go to the first red-and-white car parked in the driveway and attempt to unlock the door, but nothing happens. There’s a total of three cars, and these keys have to be for one of them.
I try the SUV next, and the same shit happens.
My heart beats wildly as I step up to Emris’s black Mustang. I know how much he loves this car. I’ve heard him talk about it before, but I can’t let myself feel guilty now. After getting the carunlocked, I sit down in the driver’s seat. I hesitate as I bring the keys up to the ignition.
I need to leave.
I have to.
For Susie and for myself.
Before losing all my courage, I turn the key, and the car roars to life.
Fuck, it’s so loud.
