Phoenix: The Rising by Bette Maybee Read Free Book Online Page A

against Julie’s.
    “Right.” Julie took a sip and watched Kas as he downed his second beer in three gulps.
    “Come on, Jules. Finish that one and I’ll get you another.”
    “I really don’t drink much, Kas.” Not only did she not drink much, but she also wasn’t relishing the idea of him driving her home in a drunken stupor. Julie thought that maybe she could reason with him. “How about I just have this one, then I can be the designated driver and get you home in one piece?”
    Kas laughed and held his hands out to his sides. “You see this body? I can handle a dozen beers and still walk a straight line, so don’t worry about me. Besides, you need to loosen up.” He pushed her beer towards her, and it splashed down the front of her shirt, soaking it. Kas’s eyes followed the trail of beer. She looked down and could clearly see the details of her bra showing through the front of the white shirt. She dropped the cup and crossed her hands over her chest as she felt the heat of embarrassment and anger race up her throat.
    Julie ran out the front door and marched down the long, dark lane that led out to the road, mentally kicking herself for being so stupid. How did she let herself get in this predicament? If she had just followed her instinct—if she had just listened to that little voice—then she wouldn’t be in this mess! She’d be sitting in her room, by herself. Alone. Again. She couldn’t stop the tears as they flowed down her cheeks, tears of anger and embarrassment, regret and loneliness.
    Julie heard the roar of an engine behind her, and headlights lit up the lane as she ran to the side. A horn blared and the vehicle screeched to a stop. Julie tripped over her own feet and tumbled down a shallow ditch.
    “Julie?” It was Kas. He appeared at the top of the ditch as Julie stood and brushed herself off. He reached down and grabbed her by the hand, hauling her back up. Kas was the last person on Earth she wanted to see right now, but she accepted his help without complaint.
    “Get in. I’ll drive you home.”
    That little voice inside her suddenly sounded a lot like Eli Sullivan telling her to steer clear of Penemue. This time she intended to heed the advice. “No thanks, I’d rather walk.” She took off down the lane.
    “Don’t be stupid. A girl was run down last week, remember? Do you want that to happen to you?”
    Julie stopped. He was right. Her house was almost three miles away, and there would be a bunch of drunken kids out on the road. She glanced back at Kas. “Okay. But please take me straight home.”
    Kas drove silently, occasionally glancing over at Julie who sat staring straight ahead, watching the road signs. She leaned forward and squinted as the Wilkie Road sign came and went.
    “You just missed my turn!” She looked over to Kas.
    “Oops.” His voice was too calm.
    Julie’s stomach lurched to her throat, and her heart began to race. “Turn around, Kas.”
    Kas looked over to her and he smiled. “Just relax, Jules. I’ll turn around up here.”
    Julie exhaled. She felt a bit better, but only for a brief moment. Kas turned onto a gravel road but instead of turning around, he kept driving. Her heart began to pound as the fear mounted.
    “Kas, you promised you’d take me home.” She couldn’t keep the tremble out of her voice.
    Kas pulled to a stop and shut off the headlights. He turned to Julie. “Yes, I did. And I will.” He grabbed Julie and pulled her across the bench seat. “But first, we’re gonna have a little fun.”
    Before she could even react, Kas had his arms around her. Being in Kas’s arms was like being caught in a bear trap. She couldn’t move. She pushed uselessly against his unyielding chest as his mouth fell on hers, ravaging her lips and forcing them apart. As his mouth moved from her lips to her neck, she gulped in some air, tasting blood.
    “Kas,” she pleaded, “please don’t do this!”
    He snorted as his mouth moved lower. This can’t