Page 15 of Come Find Me Tonight

I’ve fantasized about Rook taking me in the middle of the night—rough, unexpected, but I always thought he had a real life outside of social media. Like a girlfriend or wife. But the night he visited me squashed any of those theories because he wouldn’t have if he were committed to someone else.

I sit back in my desk chair, making it creak. I have no business getting involved with someone like him—that I know. It’s like I have an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other, pulling me in opposite directions.

It’s too late now.

He could come into my house at any time, and there’s nothing I could do to stop him.

And then the power cuts out a little too perfectly timed.

My computer screen turns black in front of my eyes, and I can see my reflection in the glass screen. Like last time, the usual buzzing of appliances and the whoosh of a fan go silent. I rush to my feet to look out the window behind my desk to see if my neighbors have power. I see lights on in their homes, so it’s just me again. I can feel my hair stand up on my skin.

He’s here, but what do I do?

I’m not ready to face him. I fully expected him to post a subtle response, not show up at my house right away! It repeats in my mind that I couldn’t stop him.

I slip into the hallway, lightly trailing my fingers down the smooth wall as I walk toward the stairs. The dark is so heavy that I can only make out doorways and the landing where the stairs meet the floor. I look over the railing and see him making his way up the stairs. A breath punches out of my lungs, and I turn away. I bury my face in my hands and hunch my back slightly.

Please be Rook…not the other guy.

I sense him coming up behind me, brushing his front side against my back. “I was overdue for this.” His breath is hot against my ear, but his whisper is enough to confirm his identity.

He reaches around me and grabs my forearms from behind, forcing my arms to part, and holds them to my sides. I don’t know what to say or do, but my exhale is ragged as it leaves my lips. He trails his fingertips down my arm but abruptly clamps his other hand in between my legs over my joggers.

“Is this what you want?”

I shake my head. “No, not yet.” He drops his hands at once and takes a step back. “Tomorrow night…come find me.” I can hardly believe those words left my mouth. I’ve dreamed of this moment for years, and I’m not only turning him away but telling him what to do.

You can take the girl out of the South…

He steps closer again. “You don’t get to dictate that.”

“But I just did. Come back tomorrow,” I snap.

It’s bold and sassy of me, but truthfully, I just want to shave and be ready. I’m not cute or sexy right now in my old joggers hanging loosely off my hips and an oversize tee, and my hair is half tied up in a messy knot with curls gathered around my shoulders.

He tangles his fingers in my hair, tugging my curls. Now, I’m afraid of what he might do. My pulse changes as desire blurs into fear for my safety, but he’s not going to kill me, which I know with absolute confidence.

“I’m not letting you get away with speaking to me like that in the future,” he quietly snarks, but I just lift my chin and smirk to myself.

Because that means he’s letting me get away with it this time.

“Or what?” I ask. Part of me wonders what he’d do if I pushed him, and I just might have to find out, depending on how tomorrow goes. He yanks my hair hard enough to tilt my head backward toward him. An instant sting ripples throughout my scalp, and he releases his grip on my hair. “Ow,” I quietly squeak, reaching up to massage my scalp.

“I’ll put you in your place.”

I never thought I was a tease and more passive, but Rook’s pulled the reckless, fearless side of me out. “Mm, promise?”

“You’re not normal, Apple Montgomery.”

“Neither are you,” I murmur. “And don’t fuck with my panel. My dad gets notified when it glitches, jackass,” I snap, my voice cutting sharply. I hear him exhale a huff behind me. “I’ll leave my lights out tomorrow night. Now, get the hell out before I change my mind and turn you in.”

I suck in a breath and brace for impact, but when I turn to glance over my shoulder, he’s vanished again as quickly and silently as the first time. I stand up tall, not worried about checking closets to make sure the house is clear. I know I am. And he’s putty in my hands. Which leaves me with an edge I never expected.

Manipulation.

Chapter Eight

Robby