Safe Word by Teresa Mummert Read Free Book Online

the brick wall and make love to her. I knew she wasn’t ready. At seventeen I had had my fair share of one-night stands, but Rose had had to deal with the constant mindfuck of a stepfather who couldn’t keep his hands to himself, and that made her hesitant to take our relationship to the next level.
    “You think that’s funny?” I smiled as I looked down at her, cheeks flushed.
    She smiled back, knowing the power she had over me.
    “I do, as a matter of fact.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and bit down as she struggled not to giggle. I pushed against her hand, my smile fading as her warmth penetrated my clothes.
    “I’m trying so hard, Rose.” My eyes dipped to her hand between us and back to her. “But you are such a fucking tease.”
    She laughed and pulled her hand back, wiggling her fingers in front of me.
    “I’m sorry!”
    “You’re going to be!” I laughed with her as I lurched forward and grabbed her wrists, pinning them behind her back. She pushed herself up on the tips of her toes and kissed me hard as she moaned.
    I slid down until I was sitting on the cold kitchen floor, letting the bottle fall from my hands before cradling my head in my hands.
    “I fucking
loved
you!” I yelled, my speech slurred. My voice caught in my throat as I struggled to keep the earth from spinning out of control beneath me.
    The next day I walked down the hall toward homeroom when I saw her, her long fiery hair a mess of curls. She smiled as her gaze met mine and I continued toward her, not caring if she was flanked by her friends. I wanted to pull her against me and press my lips against hers. I needed a fix. A few feet from her, Jacob stepped in front of me, facing Rose. Her smile slipped from her face but she recovered quickly.
    “Hey, Jake,” she said as I stared at the back of his head wishing I could bore a hole through it. I hated the horrible jealousy that bubbled inside of me whenever someone hit on her.
    “You going to the dance on Friday?” he asked, and I could feel my face heat up in anger. Jacob was a football player and came from money.
    “I’ll be there.” Her eyes flicked to mine and a hint of a smile tugged at her pouty lips. “But I’m going solo.”
    She and her friends stepped around him and walked by me. I turned around, watching her go with a proud smile on my face. She glanced over her shoulder and winked before disappearing down the south hall.
    I patted Jacob on the shoulder as I made my way past him.
    “That’s gotta hurt.” I laughed and slipped into my history class. For the first time in my life I was looking forward to an after-school function.
    That night I dreamed of her, her wild red hair floating behind her as she ran. Her face turned back to mine as she laughed and I struggled to catch her, my feet slipping, sinking in the mud, keeping her just out of arm’s reach. She looked as she did now, with the exception of her hair and it was like chasing after a ghost.
    “Wait,” I yelled, suddenly unable to catch my breath, but my lungs refused to expand. She continued farther, disappearing into a line of trees. My thoughts became panicked and my heart raced. I couldn’t see beyond the oaks. No matter how fast I went, my feet seemed to grow heavier and the forest slid back just out of reach.
    “I’m going to see the stars!”
    “Rose, wait. It’s not safe! You can’t go to California without me! You can’t leave without me.”
    “Cole?” she called out playfully but was nowhere to be found. “Cole?” she called again, her voice now full of panic before a terrifying scream ripped from her throat.

Chapter Three
Right with God
    I awoke, stiff and sore, my muscles screaming as I stretched, banging my fist against the cabinets. I squeezed my eyes shut and forced them open again in the harsh light as I took in my surroundings. I pushed my body off the kitchen floor with a groan. My head spun and I leaned against the counter, steadying myself before I could