Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Dropping off,” I stammered out nervously. “It’s just half but I’ll have the rest soon.” I shoved a wad of cash into his hand that I’d already counted out. It was half of my debt, paid off by pawning the pearl necklace I’d gotten as part of a set for my Confirmation. It was some of the jewelry Maisie had insisted I take from my childhood home. She’d convinced me that gifts meant they belonged to me.
This morning, I’d been both grateful for the advice and embarrassed to have needed it.
“Half isn’t what I was hoping for, Red.”
“I know, but it’s all I could come up with. The job market isn’t what I expected, but I’m working on it.” It was more of an excuse than he wanted or needed, but it made me feel better to explain myself.
Squeaker’s smile changed, and he pushed his long hair off his shoulders, puffed his chest out as he pushed off the wall and walked over to me. His smile grew wider as I stepped back, almost like he got off on scaring me. “There’s another way to forgive the debt.”
I swallowed hard, knowing what he was implying, and took another step back. I shook my head at his words. “I’m not interested in selling. No offense, but this is just a transitional period in my life.” I wasn’t someone who abused prescription drugs, and I definitely wasn’t a regular user of illegal drugs. I was just…coping.
“Not selling, at least not how you mean.” His hand was cold when it landed on my shoulder, and I reacted a second too late. His smile grew wider when I caught on. “You can pay me in my favorite currency. Pussy.”
I winced at his words and shook my head. “No thanks.” I hadn’t let Wyatt talk me out of my panties, and I wouldn’t let some sleazy drug dealer do it either.
His smile vanished like smoke on the breeze. “You think you’re better than me, bitch?” The sneer and pop of anger in his words weren’t for show. I could see he was upset. Offended.
“Look around sweetheart. You are me. Hell, around here, I’m better than you are.” I opened my mouth to say something, and he stepped in closer so I got a good look at his sneer. His derision. “You’re one step away from being a junkie whore, and I just want a taste before you’re all used up.”
All used up. It was similar wording to things my mother had said over the years, always nagging me about how important it was to hold on to my virtue. I wasn’t used up. I wasn’t used at all, thanks to her incessant reminders in my ear, and I refused to waste that on anyone unless it was what I wanted.
Straightening my spine, I squared my shoulders and looked Squeaker right in the eyes. I was firm but kind.
“So you don’t want the money?” I held it between my thumb and forefinger, tempting him to take it instead of the payment he wanted.
His eyes turned black when he snatched the cash from my fingers and tossed two little baggies my way. “On the house,” he said with a laugh and stared at me. Expectantly.
I looked down at the small bags. I knew what they were, and I wanted what was in them. Badly. He knew it, and I knew he knew it, but still I hesitated. I tried to wait him out, but Squeaker stayed where he was, arms crossed with a smug smile on his face. He didn’t move.
I knelt down to grab the bags from the alley floor. Then Squeaker moved in quickly, his bigger body pressed against mine until my back was squashed against the cement wall. His hand went to my breast and he squeezed.
“Stop it!”
He chuckled and leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. “You’re not as good as you think you are, Bonnie. I know what you like. I know what gets you off.”
He was right. He did know what I liked. And I owed him a lot of money for it. But I would never give in to him in the way he wanted.
Squirming only increased the friction, which made the pervert smile. “Damn girl, you’ve got more tits under these ugly ass clothes than I thought.” His hips thrust against mine, and I felt the hardness of his erection too close to my lady parts, but no amount of struggling helped me to break free.
“Keep moving like that and this’ll be over before it gets good.”
His dark laugh sent a shiver down my spine.
“No. Stop,” I gasped. My breath came in short, sharp pants, the fear real as my heart thudded hard against my ribs. “Stop!”
“I’ll stop when I’m good and fucking ready,” he growled. His hand slid up my body and when his palm reached my throat, his fingers wrapped around my neck. “You understand?”