Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Maybe he gets a kick out of corrupting me. I can’t deny it excites me too. No man makes me feel as good about myself as Saverio does, and it’s not only physical.
The thought is terrifying. It’s wrong on so many levels. Because he’s my captor. My kidnapper. I’m nothing but a hostage he holds against my will. I’m acting out a role for him, and he’s only playing his part in our performance.
Admittedly, he’s playing that part as he tackles everything in life—with utter perfection. Almost too convincingly. In the heat of the moment, he makes me forget that it’s not real. Because our chemistry is real. When he puts his hands on my body, he reduces me to a carnal being who answers to the baser, animalistic instincts of human nature. When I’m with Saverio, my body rules over my mind.
If he drags me into a public toilet right now, I’d do it again. If he locks the door and turns to me with a look of reverence and naked desire etched on his perfect features, I’d let him take anything he wants. Worse, I want him to take things I never gave to anyone. I want him to make me do perverse acts that will normally have me question my sanity, because with him, there’s no shame or guilt. With him, I’m free to be myself.
How ironic is that? He’s both my jailor and my liberator. In one sense, he locks me in. In another, he sets me free.
It’s confusing.
At the same time, it makes sense. Saverio takes what he wants without making excuses. He’s unapologetically savage and depraved. In a strange way, it’s liberating. Unlike Evan, he doesn’t pretend to be someone he’s not, at least, not with me. He’s not afraid to show me his real face, the one he doesn’t show the world, but I should never forget what a masterful manipulator and actor he can be. He demonstrated it so well with how easily he wrapped Livy around his finger and how smoothly he lied to the police. He may make me feel good—amazing even—but the petrifying truth remains.
He’d kill me as easily as he’d fuck me.
That’s why I have to keep my head and play clever. I can’t let my guard down. I can’t rely on anyone but myself to stay safe. I have to fight for my baby. She only has me. I’ll protect her until my last breath.
My phone rings, making me jump and pulling me from my thoughts.
It’s Tersia. I normally don’t take personal calls at work, but as it’s my tea break, I walk to the kitchen and swipe the button.
“Hey,” she says in a chirpy voice. “Are you free for lunch?”
“I only have an hour.”
“Perfect. One o’clock?”
“Um, I suppose—”
“Text me your work address. I’ll find a restaurant close by and drop you a pin.” I’m still contemplating the logistics when she hangs up with, “See you in a bit.”
I make a cup of tea and carry it back to my desk. For the rest of the morning, I capture data. It’s a mundane job that doesn’t need accountancy skills. Mr. Lewis trusted me with much more complicated tasks, but since Ms. Price took over the work distribution until a new CEO is appointed, she only allocates the most basic responsibilities to me.
At lunchtime, I walk to the address Tersia pinned in my maps app. She waits at a window table in a cozy coffee shop not far from the market.
She waves when she notices me.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” she says, getting up to hug me when I reach the table.
She looks stylish in a loose-fitting navy jumpsuit with a sash that ties on the hip. The yellow cashmere sweater and pleated skirt pants I wear—clothes Saverio bought—must make it seem as if we shop at the same designer stores and therefore move in the same circles. Will she still want to hang out with me if she knows my history? By not being honest, I’m deceiving her, and I feel terrible about that. Maybe it was a mistake to come, but I’m here now. It’s too late to ponder the wisdom of letting her bulldoze me into a lunch date.
I take off my coat and hang it on the wall hook before taking a seat. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“I had an appointment on Greene Street, so I thought I’d drag you away from work for a break.” She picks up the menu. “Besides, we didn’t have much time to chat after the class. You left in a hurry.” She grins. “I guess it was the video. Poor Saverio was as white as a ghost.” She signals a waiter. “Will their house special do? The gourmet panini with roasted peppers and caramelized onions is delicious. Don’t let the peppers and onions put you off. As long as they’re grilled, you don’t have to worry about getting bloated.” Rolling her eyes, she continues, “It’s one of just a hundred or so pregnancy side effects, right?”