The exhausted girl turned and walked down Rodman Street on sore, worn out feet. Her stride was slow, leisurely, enjoying the low familiar hum of an old flickering lamp post. Every star was on full display tonight, and it was hard not to stare up and appreciate the beauty.
Without realizing it, Elizabeth hummed the last tune she’d heard at the dinner. Nickolai had the pre-selected songs play all day on a loop. Sting’s voice was the last she heard at the end of every shift. She didn’t mind the repetition so much. His voice was soothing; not to mention, it signaled the three-minute countdown to freedom. The song soon became her favorite in the world.
Halfway to her rented duplex, Elizabeth realized she wasn’t the only person walking and stopped humming. A second pair of footsteps echoed on the paved walkway behind her. The footfalls sounded in step with hers and drew closer. She whipped her head around every so often, trying to catch a glimpse of the person following behind her.
Nothing. I must be losing my mind.
Elizabeth’s pace quickened. There were alleyways between every building that lined all the way up the street. This made it easy for someone to remain hidden, and that scared her. Once again, the moment she faced forward, the heavy boot steps continued.
A sinking feeling churned inside her gut when his proximity grew closer.
Elizabeth fought against a wave of nausea, double-timing her efforts without breaking into an outright sprint down the street. Relief replaced her unease at seeing her duplex up ahead. Drawing in a deep breath, she thought to herself, Liz, stop psyching yourself out. You’re almost home.
“You belong to me…”
She jumped at the man’s voice whispering low in her ear. His closeness startled her, and she nearly shouted out as she stumbled over her own feet. Her hands braced her fall, scraping them on the rough pavement. She whipped her head around in the direction the eerie voice was coming from. An inevitable dread doused over her like a bucket of ice water when she saw a dark figure crouching low in the alley shadows beside her. Chalking it up to a homeless bum, Elizabeth tried to convince herself that she’d imagined the whispered voice.
No… I heard it. As plain as day and clear as my own voice.
Now paranoid, Elizabeth swiveled her head back and forth, making sure the owner of the voice wouldn’t sneak up behind her… again. Rising on shaky legs, she sprinted to the house. The heavy boot steps pounded on the sidewalk after her. Deafened by her own thundering heart, she pushed her tired body to its limits running for her porch steps. Time seemed to slow in her fearful state of mind, and her legs felt slow and sluggish in her attempt to out run whoever was following her.
Finally, she made it to her stoop. Skipping steps up to her door, her trembling fingers jingled the keys as she fumbled to find the right one.
Got it!
As she inserted the key into the lock, something brushed through her hair, tickling the back of her neck. Like a deer in headlights, Elizabeth froze, too afraid to move. Her frantic eyes widened when it happened again, swishing her hair from her shoulders.
Please be a breeze. Please… just be a gust of wind.
A blaring car alarm sounded a few blocks down, jump starting her heart and bringing her back to her senses. With impressive speed under the circumstances, Elizabeth cranked open the door and flung herself inside. She leapt over the threshold, as if a stick of dynamite had been ignited behind her, and slammed the door.
Her shivering body sunk to the cold tile floor. Tears spilled down her paling face as her mind tried to comprehend what exactly had happened. The logical side of her brain told her that she’d imagined the whole thing. That is, until a voice hissed on the other side of the door.
“I’ll be watching you.”
Elizabeth shrieked out. The only thing that separated her from it was inches worth of wood paneling. Her lungs constricted as she continued her bone-rattling screams in full force. After a minute, she jumped when Carter came bolting in from the back door, startling her. He still held the garbage bag that he must’ve been taking out before she got there. His face was the most glorious sight to behold in that terrifying moment.
Without hesitation, her worried boyfriend dropped the bag and rushed to her side. “Lizzie! What happened, babe? Why’re you crying? Are you all right?” Dropping hard on his knees, he cradled her face in his warm hands.
Still unable to speak, Elizabeth nodded weakly, swiping away her tears.
“I… I think someone was following me. I heard… I don’t know what I heard.” The tears collected once again, frustrated as she tried to explain all that had happened. She leapt into his supportive arms. Her trembling body shook them both.
Carter ran his hands down the length of her hair and rubbed her back in soothing circles. “Shh, it’s okay now. I’m here. I’ve got you and I won’t let anything happen.”
Letting out a shaky breath, she sank into his embrace, calmed by the steady beat of his heart. After a few minutes, Elizabeth pulled back from the protection of his arms. Carter searched her face with worry clear in his expression, willing her to explain. Placing a soft kiss on her trembling lips, he lifted Elizabeth to her feet and guided her into the kitchen.
“All right, Lizzie, start from the beginning.”
A petrified Elizabeth recounted the events frantically, starting with the creepy stranger from the diner. She was still in quite a state of shock. The story spewed from her lips in one long sentence. She heard her own voice telling this outrageous story, and once repeated out loud, she felt foolish. The story sounded farfetched, over dramatic, and imagined.
“Well, did you get a good look at him on the street?”
“Umm, no. When I turned around, he wasn’t…” She lowered her head before she finished, feeling like a small child, “He wasn’t there.” Carter probably didn’t believe her. In that moment, Elizabeth wasn’t sure she did either.
Carter’s eyebrows knitted together. “Do you think it could’ve been the man at the diner?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t know, never saw him. I just… heard him.”
Carter let out a frustrated sigh, running his hands through his hair.
“Ugh, you don’t believe me. I swear, Carter, I felt him touch my hair. I heard him humming in my ear. He was there. I’m not imagining it. I’ve walked all over this city my whole life, and I’ve never been that scared. Not until tonight.”
Carter lifted her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Hey, I believe you, babe. I just wanted to hear the whole story before you forgot all the little details that matter.” He kissed her forehead and leaned back into his chair, rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger, deep in thought. “I’m calling the police.”
Elizabeth thought about it, worrying her bottom lip as if chewing away her nerves. “No. I don’t even have a description of the guy. Not to mention, nothing really happened to me. I’m not hurt.”
Yet.
“The cops will just think I’m crazy.”
Which is exactly how I feel right now.
“There’s nothing they can do to help. It’d be an embarrassing waste of time for everyone.”
Carter furrowed his brows. “Yeah, you might be right.” He gazed down at her as she stared wide-eyed into space, reliving the events of her walk home. His eyes softened when her frame quaked the longer she thought about it. “I’ll go out and circle the property, make sure no one’s hanging around that looks suspicious. Okay, babe?”
Shifting her focus, Elizabeth gave a small appreciative smile. “Thank you. I would understand if you wanted to leave afterward. I killed the whole evening.”
Carter smiled as she fidgeted with her trembling fingers, her body language making it obvious that’s the last thing she wanted him to do. He was a corporate computer analyst, not a hero. But seeing her vulnerable body tremble, with those bright tearful eyes looking at him like her knight in shining armor, stirred strange emotions inside of him. Her innocence called out to him in a strong way.
He felt moved to step out of his comfort zone and shield her from all the evil that lurked in this world, waiting for someone like her to prey on.
“You kicking me out, babe?” His lips curled up in a cocky grin, and he was rewarded with her beautiful smile. “I made plans to stay the night, and there’s no way I’m breaking them.”
Carter had fallen for this girl quicker than his rational mind could comprehend. Had he not been the sensible, over-thinker he was, Carter would’ve whisked her away to marry her. However, the goals he’d put into place for his future always won out over romance. But even this logical man had to admit to himself that he was falling in love with this girl.
At first, he was shocked when she’d been equally as attracted to him as he was to her. After all, he wasn’t a ripped, smoldering-hot, alpha male by any means. Carter Mendoza wasn’t unattractive, but more of a classically handsome, clean-cut, sophisticated, semi-nerdy, and intelligent beta. His body was lean and trim with average height and muscle tone.
Carter embodied the Clark Kent persona, which just so happened to be Elizabeth’s type. His eyes travelled down the length of her curvy body, leaving behind a heated trail.
Elizabeth grew hot under the collar and flushed bright as she watched Carter feast on her with hungry eyes. The longer he gazed at her in that suggestive I know what you look like under that uniform way, the faster the memories of tonight’s events evaporated from her mind.
He was taken aback as her expression shifted from fright to desire. Her eyes warmed over, searching over his face. His body stirred, watching her watch him.
“You’re looking at me like I’m your next meal, babe. What’s cooking in that head of yours?”
Elizabeth smirked up at him when she’d been caught staring with a naughty glint in her eyes. Extending her hand, she brushed her thumb over his cheek. Gripping the sides of his Armani eye glasses, she lifted them off his face, folding them neatly, and placed them on the table. Elizabeth wanted to look into his hazel eyes without the intrusive barrier.
“I was thinking how lucky I am to have you in my life.”
She had fallen in love with him after the first few dates. Carter had stolen her heart, and she willingly gave it. They had so much in common. Being together was as easy as breathing.
A slow grin inched its way across his smooth shaven face. “We are lucky, Lizzie. We are the fortunate ones who fate brought together.”
Abandoning her chair, she was a little emotional as she climbed onto his lap, straddling him. “I love you, Carter, so much.”
His eyes fell at the sound of her soft, vulnerable voice. Unable to keep his body under control any longer, his arousal became evident as it nudged against the beauty nestled on his lap.
“I need you, Carter. Right now. Help me to forget about tonight. Please.” Her pleas came out soft and breathy against his ear as she inadvertently ground against him.
Carter rose from his chair, taking Elizabeth with him. Her legs wrapped tight around him as if her life depended on it. Her lips descended on his, and her tongue plundered his mouth desperately. Everything Elizabeth felt was given in that kiss. All the fear, unease, insecurities, and pent up desire poured out of her.
Carter would never say it out loud, but all this excitement had her acting out in an uncharacteristically bold and aggressive way, and he loved every minute of it. A groan ripped from him as she captured his bottom lip and bit down. After the abuse, she kissed and sucked on the swollen lip. Carter moaned against her mouth, and his reaction only fueled her fire. Elizabeth ran her hands through his smooth hair and tugged. His grip tightened against her thighs as he navigated his way to the bedroom with clumsy steps.
“That’s right, babe, take it all out on me. Don’t hold back.”
Elizabeth ground her body against his, acting out exactly what she wanted to do to him in bed. Her bold behavior was turning her on more than she thought possible. She was normally a shy, timid, girl. Her tongue glided in his eager mouth then dragged it out suggestively, mimicking her body’s undulations. The hypnotic rhythm she set nearly had her coming undone right there, on this very spot.
“Take me, Carter. I want to feel you…”
Unable to hold back anymore, Carter lost his grip on his usually cool composure. Kicking in the bedroom door, it flew open, hitting the wall with a loud thud. Overtaken by the intensity of his arousal, Carter tore at her uniform with rough hands. By the time he got her out of it, he’d completely lost control, ripping her bra and panties off in a frenzy. His desperate need to have her was a huge turn on to Elizabeth, who now stood before him completely naked. Her legs quivered in her aroused state, leaving her panting with unquenched desire.
Still fully dressed, Carter’s hungry eyes travelled over every line and curve of her irresistible body. Without so much as a warning, he lunged forward, snatching her off her feet and tossing her on the bed.
Elizabeth squealed in surprise as she bounced on the mattress. Looking up at him with playful eyes, she curled her finger, beckoning him. Carter peeled his sweatshirt up over his head with slow, torturous purpose and tossed it aside. Elizabeth squirmed with impatience, waiting for him to fill her completely. Carter enjoyed seeing her squirm, needing him, wanting him.
He stood tall at the foot of the bed, enjoying this game they played. Carter gripped the zipper to his pants and dragged them down its track. The sound echoed around the small room. Once opened, Carter lowered his pants and boxers, inch by inch, and discarded them beside his shirt. Elizabeth trembled under the heavy weight of his penetrating gaze, his eyes darkening as he took in her naked body. He crawled across the bed like a dangerous predator ready to devour its prey.
Carter nipped, licked, and bit the heated flesh as he made his way up the length of her body. Elizabeth opened up to him as Carter moved up her body, dragging out her pleasure as he took control. His teeth grazed back and forth along her neck, teasing her and prolonging the anticipation.
Elizabeth choked on her gasp when he bit down on her neck the same time he thrust himself deep inside her.
“I’m going to make you scream tonight,” Carter growled in her ear.
Hours had passed since Elizabeth passed out. The monster navigated his way through the dark room with ease. After all, he’d been coming into her room at night for months. Looming over the foot of the bed, he leered at her nude form. Watching her sleep… so peaceful, so vulnerable, so unaware of how close death was to her, brought out the vicious animal in him. Elizabeth’s first encounter with pure unadulterated fear tonight solidified his decision to move up the final game. The monster longed to take her… mind, body, and soul.
Her final breath belonged to him, and the moment of collection was fast approaching. Soon enough, he’d be rewarded for his steadfast patience with her screams. Only, this time, they would be shouts of pain and cries of mercy instead of hours of sexual bliss, and he could hardly wait to hear that melody.
“I’ll see you soon.”
CHAPTER THREE
The emotion of love gives all
of us a misleading illusion
of knowing the other.
~Milan Kundera
A soft breeze filtered through the window, bringing with it the fresh scent of morning dew. Waking before the alarm, Elizabeth’s eyes drifted open to the calming scene of her sheer curtains blowing gently with the wind. Her gaze focused on the tranquil man beside her, still in a deep sleep. A satisfied smile formed as memories of last night flashed through her mind. His arm, still taking possession of her, lay across her waist.
It was time to get up and ready herself for work, but all she wanted was to stay in Carter’s arms. Elizabeth placed a soft kiss on his semi-parted lips, and his hand twitched, tightening his hold around her. She laughed silently, kissed him once more, and reluctantly rose from the bed. Her movement jostled the sleeping man, and his eyes opened, landing on the beautiful nude body stretching her slender arms high above her head.
“Beautiful.”
Elizabeth turned, hearing the deep sluggish voice and smiled. Her eyes roamed over his body, covered only by the thin fabric of the sheet draped dangerously low on his hips. Carter’s hands moved behind his head, enjoying her flushed cheeks at being caught staring red-handed. “Right back at you.”
She quickly moved about the room, gathering clothes and underwear to bring into the bathroom with her. Passing by the opened window, she stopped short. Her diligent eye took in the rest of her room. The bedroom door was wide open. Goosebumps sent chills racing up her spine, raising the hairs on the back of her neck in awareness.
“Carter, did you wake up and walk around last night?” Her suspicious eyes scanned the room as she asked.
His cocky smile slipped away, “No, babe. I passed out. You wore me out. Why?”
“Because I always close the bedroom door, and that window wasn’t open last night.” Chewing on her lip, she retraced all her steps, trying to remember if she had, in fact, left them open. She was distracted by their passionate sexcapade, after all.
Carter came up behind her, wrapping his warm arms around her waist and pulling her close to his body. His nudity distracted her. “Don’t worry about it. It was probably me getting up to take a piss in the middle of the night, half asleep. Come on, Lizzie, let’s have breakfast.”
Elizabeth nodded, giving in. Reluctantly, she headed into the bathroom, fighting the strange feeling festering deep inside.
Carter’s right. It’s nothing. Relax, Lizzie.
Elizabeth perked up when the telltale, high-pitched beeping signaled to her that the coffee was ready. The heavenly aroma swirled in the air around the small kitchen. Elizabeth sat across the table from Carter with her bagel smothered in cream cheese.
He searched the morning paper, unaware of the curious eyes peering over at him. She was awed by his domineering behavior in bed last night. He was usually so reserved, polite… Not last night. The acts he performed on her made her toes curl just thinking about them.
Her stomach flittered with butterflies as she thought about him doing it again. Carter turned to the next page and caught sight of her eyeing him. A nervous smile crept across her face when his gaze met hers. Lowering the paper, Carter’s smoldering eyes raised the tension in the air around them.
Love, Lies, & Crime: Anthology Page 24