Riley shoved against his chest and forced all the vehemence she could muster into her words. "I'll never give in to you!"
Again, something dark and dangerous flashed in his eyes, and he let out a sinister chuckle. He leaned closer still until he pinned her against the exam table, his thighs pressed against hers. She opened her mouth to scream, but he clapped one hand over her mouth while the other cupped the back of her head.
"Mark my words, Riley, youwillbe mine."
She tried to fight and shove him away again, but he barely budged.
His grip on her face and neck tightened. "Don't get any heroic ideas about going to the police again. If you try to press any more charges against me, my dad's team of lawyers will chew you up and spit you out so fast you won't know what hit you."
When Collin told her his father was Senator Ainsworth, it had given him near-celebrity status in her eyes, but now, the knowledge that the senator used his money and position to cover his son's sins sickened her.
Riley swallowed down the bile that rose in her throat. Her brainscreamed at her to run, but every muscle in her body trembled so badly she couldn't move.
Then Collin's mouth was on hers, crushing and bruising. His arms wrapped around her, pinning hers to her sides.
Her stomach roiled, and a bitter taste filled her mouth. She tried to pull away, but he held her so tightly she couldn't move. She couldn't even knee him in the groin, because his thighs pressed too firmly against hers.
Desperate to free herself, she clamped her teeth down on his lip.
He jerked away and let loose a string of vulgar swear words. He raised his hand as though intending to backhand her, then he froze at the sound of laughter out in the hall.
She glared at him as she swiped the back of her hand across her mouth. If only she could wipe away his vile attack so easily. Countless showers hadn't helped rid her mind of the memory of his last assault.
She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed 911. "Go ahead, I dare you."
Why did it have to take her so long to find the courage to stand up to him? She showed him the screen as her thumb hovered over the call button. "Touch me again, and I'll scream so loud security at the other end of the hospital will hear me."
He grabbed a tissue off the counter and dabbed at his bloody lip. He swore again, then pointed at her as he backed toward the door. "This isn't over." He walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Riley's knees gave out, and she sank to the floor. Burying her face in her hands, she sucked in deep breaths as hot tears stung her cheeks.
She grew up on a ranch, working her butt off to keep up with the strongest of ranch hands, but Collin Ainsworth made her feel weak and helpless.
He’s never going to leave me alone.
The victim's advocate the police referred her to had warned her Collin would likely be out on bail soon, but from the way Collin described it, he wasn't even formally charged and arrested. Her advocate had also warned her that a restraining order would only protect her if Collin obeyed it. Which he clearly hadn't.
He’d violated her a second time, making her feel vulnerable and powerless. Next time, she might not be so lucky to have help just beyond the door, or Paige might not show up.
She swiped away her tears and pushed to her feet as the fear turned to anger.
I won't sit around and wait for there to be a next time.
Riley was curledup in the armchair with her arms wrapped around her knees when her cousin Paige walked through the door later that evening loaded with groceries.
Paige took one look at her and dropped the bags on the floor before hurrying over to sit on the end of the couch nearest to Riley. “Looks like you had a rough day. I knew you should have given yourself more time before returning to work.”
Riley stared at the cheap charcoal gray sofa. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to sit there since Collin pinned her down on it Friday night. She could barely stand to be in this room as it was. That’s why she’d gone back to work today. Trying to forget how close Collin had come to raping her while spending all day, every day, in the apartment where it happened was impossible.
“He showed up again.” The words Riley forced through her dry throat were little more than a whisper.
Paige’s brows drew together. “Who showed up?” Then her expression quickly morphed into one of shock, her eyes practically bulging from her head. “Do you mean Collin?”
Riley shuddered at the mention of that man’s name. She gave a curt nod.
“Collin Ainsworth showed up at the clinic and confronted you in front of everyone?” Paige asked.
“No, he was hiding in an exam room, waiting for me.”
