Diners, Dives & Dead Ends by Terri L. Austin Read Free Book Online Page A

against
his chest.   
    I tried to pull away, but he
held fast.  “Let go of me.”    
    His eyes darkened to an
antique gold.  “Only if you promise to behave yourself.”
    I didn’t want to behave
myself.  I wanted to pound my fist into his face a few more times.  I leaned my
head back, then drove it forward, trying to head butt him in the nose.  But he
saw it coming and jerked his head to the side at the last second.  My forehead
grazed his ear.
    “That’s enough,” he said. 
    I struggled to free myself. 
With both of my hands restrained in one of his, he thrust his other hand into
my hair, firmly holding my head still.
    “I said enough.”
    My breaths came in choppy
gasps, my heart beating so fast I thought it might burst.  I stopped moving.  My
body was plastered against his, each shallow breath pushing my breasts even
further into his chest with every inhalation.  His lips were soft against my
cheek, his breath fanned my ear.  We stayed like that, pressed against each
other, for what seemed like a really long time.  It was probably only a minute,
but it was intense and awkward.     
    “Are you okay now?” he
asked.
    “Yeah.”  He slowly released
me.  I scrambled off him and walked backward until I hit the wall.  Neither one
of us spoke, we just stared at each other.  His chest heaved like he’d run a
four-minute mile.  I was glad to know I wasn’t the only one affected by that
little exchange.  Gradually, my own breathing returned to normal. 
    When I thought I could talk
without panting like a dog, I said, “What’s to stop me from calling the cops?”
    “That wouldn’t be in Axton’s
best interest.”  He stood and buttoned his coat as he walked toward me, coming
to a stop when his toes bumped mine.  “And I’m not a man you want to fuck
with.”
    After he left, I stood there
for several seconds before hurrying to the door, locking it and sliding the
chain in place.  Tomorrow I was going to get new locks.  I doubted it would
keep him out if he wanted to get in, but it would make me feel better.  I moved
my dresser in front of the door and huddled up in the corner of the futon,
fully clothed, until the next morning.

Chapter 8
     
     
     
    I took the quickest shower of
my life just before five a.m.  The two men probably wouldn’t come back and
catch me wet and naked, but why take chances.  After throwing on some clothes,
I made a full pot of coffee, guzzling down most of it. 
    It was still halfway dark
when I left my apartment and crossed the parking lot.  Jumpy and alert, I
scanned the area, but didn’t see anything out of place.  Of course I hadn’t
seen anything out of place last night either and look how well that turned out. 
I hopped into my car and slammed the door, making sure it was locked before I
started the engine. 
    There weren’t many cars on
the road this early, but my eyes darted around the gloomy streets looking for
anything suspicious.  By the time I got to Ma’s I was a shaky mess.   
    I greeted Ray and Jorge as I
walked through the kitchen before making a beeline to the restroom.  Ma and
Roxy exchanged a glance as I hustled past.  When I stepped back into the dining
room, I pulled a clean apron from the hook and put it in on.
    “Rose, honey, are you all
right?” Ma asked.
    I gave them a recap of my
crappy night.  They both made “o’s” with their mouths. 
    “And the thing is, this guy
who broke into my apartment didn’t say what he’s looking for.  But I have to
find Axton before he does.”  I realized I was talking so fast my words jumbled
together, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself.  And I flailed my hands like a
loon.  “Whoever he was, he was scary.  Hot, but scary.  No, forget hot.  Hot
has nothing to do with it.  Just scary.”  I finally paused to take a deep
breath.  “Sorry.  I drank almost a whole pot of coffee.”
    “No, really?” Roxy asked,
around a wad of gum.  “Why didn’t you call