Shattered Puppet (Rag Doll) by Ava Catori Read Free Book Online

her savior? Could he right a wrong? Make up for his bad deeds by doing something good? He could take her away from this life. He had enough. He’d been stashing it away. They could run away together…a silly dream. A fleeting moment. And then he said it out loud.
    Cree looked at him intently. She quietly nodded. “Let me get my things.”
    “Just like that?” He was stunned.
    She shrugged. “I don’t have anything to lose. Besides, I need a fresh start. I can’t keep up this way anymore. I’m tired. It never ends. I need a break.”
    Carter looked at her. “Why did you kiss me?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Do you do that often?”
    “Never.” She flushed. “I don’t kiss…” she hesitated, “on dates.”
    “What’s going on here? Between us?”
    “Is there something going on? I don’t know. I just think I want to spend more time with you. Is that a crime?”
    “Not a crime, just unusual.”
    “Look, I’ve never done this before, okay. I just…there’s something in you that I’m drawn to. Just go, okay. I didn’t want to have to defend my choice.”
    “No, wait. I didn’t mean to put it that way,” he corrected. “It’s just that we didn’t get off in a normal sort of way.”
    “What’s normal?” She shrugged. “I wouldn’t even know normal if it came and bit me in the face. Do you want to go or not?”
    “Sure.”
    It wasn’t a romantic interlude. They’d done little more than kiss, but like some hot bonded glue, they were pulled together, wanting more time. Cree had never felt that way before. Normally, when she was done with a guy, she was glad to be left alone. But this time, when Carter said he was leaving she didn’t like it. She wasn’t ready for him to be gone. She didn’t want to be left alone. She knew he must have felt the same way. After all, he came to say good-bye. Why else would he bother?

Chapter 10
    Kendle’s face was wet with tears on hearing her sister’s voice. “You what?”
    “I needed to leave. I need a change. I’ll be back eventually.” Cree explained.
    “How could you just leave without saying good-bye? When will you be back? And who is this guy? How do you know he won’t hurt you?” Kendle was concerned that her sister acted out of character. Was she going against her will? Was he forcing her to say these things?
    “I’m lonely and tired. I need something different for a while.” She tried to calm her sister down.
    “The lawyer…will you speak to her?” Kendle asked, knowing she had to get it out.
    “I’ll think about it. I’m not ready.”
    “The case will be stronger.” She pleaded, knowing it would be easier with two statements.
    “I don’t know if I can. Listen, I’ve got to go.” She hung up before her sister could respond.
    Opening up wasn’t easy, but over the course of the next few days Carter and Cree shared more of their lives. They randomly drove across towns and down back roads, stopping for food and an occasional hotel to sleep.
    “Where are we going?” He asked.
    “I’m not going anywhere. I’m just along for the ride.” She answered.
    At the next hotel, the only room available had a king bed, not two queen size mattresses like what they’d been getting comfortable with. Carter turned to Cree. “Do you want to keep driving or get that room?”
    “I’m not sleeping with you.” Cree stated bluntly.
    “I can sleep on the chair,” he said. “I’m tired. I’m not sure I want to keep driving.”
    “You take the bed. I can sleep in the car or the chair.” She’d slept in worse places.
    “We’ll work it out.” Carter went back to the counter and paid for the room. “Why don’t you sleep under the covers and I’ll sleep over them,” he suggested.
    “You’ll keep your hands to yourself?”
    “Yes. You know you’re the one that kissed me, right?” Carter laughed at the nonesense of it all.
    Cree looked away. “I don’t know how to feel things, okay? Don’t expect more out of me.”
    Carter took