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I lock it, then drag out a chair and fall into it.
Holy shit.
I got away from Jacob.
27
JACOB
Ihoist myself in through Melody’s window and scan the small space. She’s asleep on the tiny bed, her arm thrown over her eyes. Her mouth is open, her breathing coming slow and deep. My truck idles outside, and I make quick work collecting her few belongings. The phone, the purse, her jeans that lie folded over the back of the chair.
When I pull the blanket back, I scan her for signs of trauma. Hurt.
Nothing new. Nothing physical.
I pick her up and cradle her head to my chest, careful not to wake her. Not until we’re out of here anyway. We leave out the side entrance, and I set her down in the passenger seat of the truck. It’s reclined a bit, so she doesn’t fall forward, and I lean over her to buckle her in.
She doesn’t stir until we’re turning into the parking garage of my high-rise. Her breathing changes first, and then her head lifts. She looks around as I pull into the parking space next to the car I sometimes drive in the city, and her gaze lands on me.
She sucks in a breath. Like she’s surprised.
I meet her stare. “Is there a problem?”
“Yeah.You. How—?”
“Quiet.”
Her mouth closes.
“I’ve been thinking about what you liked about this afternoon.”
I unbuckle and twist to face her, killing the engine. It fades into silence, which seems loud in my ears. Funny, that. I’ve always liked quiet. Before hockey games, I sit with the noise-canceling headphones on and no music. Being alone with my thoughts never scared me.
Being alone with Melody?
Well, I wouldn’t say I’m afraid. But it affects me in a way not many other things do.
“I don’t think you’re into that form of voyeurism.” I tap my chin, pretending to consider it. “Get out of the car.”
“Take me back to the library.”
Cute to think I follow orders the same way she does.
“Either you get out of the car, or I haul you out.”
Her glare is acidic… but she moves. Grudgingly, she unbuckles and opens the door. It’s only when she gets out that she seems to realize she’s without pants.
I smile to myself and collect her purse and jeans from behind her seat, then hop out. She’s tugging on her shirt, trying to get it to cover more skin.
“Hey,” she gasps. She goes for the jeans.
“No.” I keep them out of reach.
Her glare is adorable. I put my hand on the small of her back, forcefully leading her to the elevator bay. We call an elevator down, and it chimes almost immediately.
She steps in, and I follow. I position myself right behind her, my front touching her back. As soon as the elevator doors close, I drop the purse and jeans and grab her.
She struggles. Her head flies back, narrowly missing my face. I bite the shell of her ear, digging my teeth in and holding on while one hand keeps her against me. My arm is just below the swell of her breasts. My other hand dips into her panties.
