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"I don't mind," he said. "I like you. If it wasn't for those guys, I would have asked you out."
I sighed again, deeper than before. "If it wasn't for them, I might have gone." I didn't think I'd ever have seen Charlie as more than a friend, but a date didn't hurt to find out.
"Of course you would, I'm awesome." He grinned.
His attempt to lighten the mood fell flat. All I could rustle up was a faint half-smile.
"Yeah, you are. You're a nice guy."
He winced. "Nice. You know what they say about nice guys."
"They say they always finish last, but isn't that what a gentleman does anyway?" I asked, joking weakly.
He snapped his fingers.
"That's right. Finishing last is a good thing." He gave me a lopsided grin like he had it all worked out.
I hoped I hadn't encouraged him too much by bringing sex into the conversation. I didn't want him thinking there was any chance of something happening between us.
If I thought about anything intimate, my mind immediately went to Mannix and Ice. Ice in particular, since he was my first. He'd always have a special place in my mind, if not in my life. Both of them, and Ares, changed me. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing.
I thought Charlie might say more or even invite me to find out what it would be like to sleep with him. Thankfully, he didn't. He must have known I'd refuse. I was in no state to fuck, even if I'd do it with him. Basic functions were difficult enough just now.
Instead, he put his empty cup in the kitchen and stepped over to take mine. He set it beside his and came to crouch down in front of me.
"I know you must have had a long day," he said softly. "You're asking yourself all kinds of questions." His eyes searched mine, his gaze laced with genuine, platonic concern. He was a better friend than I deserved right now.
"I hope you get the answers."
Before I realised what he was doing, he grabbed my hand and snapped something over my wrist.
Chapter Three
Kennedy
What the fuck?
"What the fuck?" I tried to lift my arm, but couldn't. My wrist was handcuffed to the arm of the chair. I tugged against it, but it was locked fast, the chain strong. It was in better condition than anything else in the place. Of course if fucking was.
I hadn't noticed the cuff before. It must have been hidden behind the couch cushions. To be honest, I wasn't looking for anything like that. Not from Charlie. I should have known better than to trust anyone. My track record was zero. To think I'd just finished thinking he was a good guy. A good friend. He was a motherfucker, like the rest of them.
Ugh, Kennedy, you shouldn't be allowed out unsupervised. Look where it gets you.
Angry, that was where it got me. Blazing furious.
I jerked my arm up hard and fast. If I couldn't break the cuffs, maybe I could break the arm of the chair. It didn't budge. Evidently, it was stronger than it looked. There was absolutely no give in it at all.
"You asshole." I kicked out at Charlie. "If you think I'm going to—" I wasn't going to let him touch me. Being restrained didn't mean he could do a damn thing to me. If he so much as took a step closer, I'd kick him in the nuts.
Okay, being angry gave me bravado. The fact was, I was restrained and he was a lot bigger than me. If he wanted to hold me down, he could do it with one hand. I could fight, Iwouldfight, but it wasn't a fight I could hope to win.
Don't panic,I told myself.Whatever you do, don't freak out. That's what guys like him want.
Icy fingers of fear slid up my spine. An hour ago, I thought dying was the worst thing that could happen to me. Now…
Tears spiked the corners of my eyes.
"I'm not gonna touch you," he said.
