Predator by Kartik Iyengar Read Free Book Online

wicked world. Salmonella was her full-time fairy Godmother.
    ‘I couldn’t find that idiot of my boyfriend. So … just who was that handsome guy you were out with?’ asked Florence while driving them home, a wicked smile on her face. Grace was evasive, and replied, ‘Just a nice guy who got me a coffee. How was the evening with Prince? Why don’t you ever introduce me to him or show me his pictures?’
    ‘I don’t have any pictures of him, Grace, he’s camera shy. Also, when he’s spinning those discs at the club, he war paints his face so no one can recognize him. He’s weird, but in a nice way … ’ replied Florence wryly and her voice trailed off into her thoughts. ‘The bastard wasn’t there. Ditcher!’
    Salmonella didn’t push it any more. She knew Grace went all cagey about some things, especially when it came to matters of the heart. She knew Grace considered herself an awkward person living in the shadow of the beautiful Florence, and she didn’t want to needlessly hurt the overly-sensitive Grace by pressing her for answers.
    Grace smiled at her cell phone remembering his smile, his lovely voice and the fabulous evening. She was thrilled to have been the one to capture the attention of a man for a change, and a nice guy at that. Perhaps, she wasn’t quite so bad to look at after all. And now, her dream man was sending her a text message saying he was missing her.
    Perhaps the loud thunderclap Grace heard as she began keying in her reply was an omen, warning her to take care. But Grace pinged the ‘send’. The rain didn’t let up.
    It was the beginning of a relationship of sorts. Grace was overwhelmed by the inappropriate verbal advances, the kind she’d never encountered before. In her innocence, Grace was too shy to tell Salmonella about her new virtual boyfriend.
    It seemed harmless and innocuous enough when he’d asked her to email naked pictures of herself to him. She reckoned that it was the done thing, and he seemed nice enough and so endearing when he begged for phone and webcam sex with her from time to time. It was fun; and tonight while she was alone, waiting for Florence – it seemed like the perfect fun thing to do.
    Grace felt it wasn’t too much to ask of her, and she wanted to keep him interested and attracted to her all the time. She’d be bereft if he left. He played her like an expert, pushing the limits and then pulling back when he realized she was uncomfortable.
    He knew exactly how to take what he wanted from her and yet seemed to know when and where to draw the line. She was amazed at what had started off with an innocent cup of coffee and exchanging images of tattoos. He’d made very simple requests for pictures of her body artwork, and before Grace knew it, she was exposing herself more and more to a stranger she’d met just a few days ago. Well, considering that in this day and age, and at her age, she still didn’t have a steady boyfriend, she guessed she was adult enough to indulge in virtual escapades.
    Also, in her low self-esteem, Grace felt she didn’t quite make the mark – she wasn’t beautiful, sexy or confident. He was the first man who, either considered her beautiful, or perhaps was mature enough to realize that looks weren’t everything. Perhaps he was Einstein, a brilliant mind. Grace was neither a Jolie nor an Einstein, nevertheless her mystery man seemed to find her hot.
    Grace considered herself fortunate that she’d met him. And now, she wanted him with her every night. While she waited eagerly for the real deal, she unhooked her bra, clicked a picture of her large, round breasts, attached it to a message saying, ‘I miss you too … here, this will keep you warm tonight’, and clicked ‘send’ on her phone.
    He would be pleased. He would call her soon.
    She saw a Facebook update from Florence pop up on the phone from the subway. Grace concluded she’d be home in an hour. She grinned. The forthcoming reunion this weekend was going to be