Stoking the Embers (New Adult Romantic Suspense): The Complete Series by Leslie Johnson Read Free Book Online Page A

I’m pinned between him and the mattress. Think. I must think. I’ve got to stop this panic.
    Maybe if I play along, he’ll let me go long enough to get away? That’s stupid. There’s no place for me to run.
    Fight? He’ll only laugh, think it’s part of the game. It’s one of his favorites, me saying ‘no’ and him ‘convincing’ me. I can’t win, I nearly sag in defeat.
    “Yeah, I can feel how much you want it. Nipples hard. I bet you’re soaking wet, aren’t you?” His hand snakes between my legs, finds my sex, the material of my dress the thinnest of barriers.
    I shake my head, trying to shake his hand off my mouth, I taste blood from where my lip grinds into my teeth.
    “Tell me about the fireman,” he demands, his voice a low hiss in my ear. “I can be like him. I promise. I’ll be anyone you want me to be. I can be perfect for you.”
    I’m frozen in indecision, not sure which response will trigger his rage. The sound of my phone buzzing breaks the silence. He pulls it from his pocket, glances at the screen and throws me to the bed. I scramble away as quickly as I can while he reads the message. I’m on my feet, but in the corner of the room. I look around for a weapon. There’s nothing.
    “I knew it,” he says, his voice a growl. “I knew you were fucking the fireman. Not even a fucking week after you dumped me? Slut.” He throws the phone at me, but I’m able to deflect it. It bounces off my hand and in the middle of the bed.
    “It’s not like that, we’re just friends.” My mouth finally manages to work. “He’s helping me decide if I want to be a paramedic.” I’m disgusted with myself, why am I defending myself? But I need to calm him. I’ve seen him angry, but never quite like this.
    “Liar,” he screams at me, but is distracted when my phone buzzes again. He picks it up, hatred crossing his face as he reads the message. “Your boyfriend’s on his way. Seems like you left your purse on your date. Should I stay and give him tips on how you like it? Or has he already found out?”
    I’m shaking my head, holding my robe closed in front of me. Please god, make him go, I prayed.
    He tosses the phone back on the bed. “You know what? You’re not worth it. Look at you… crying, you look like hell, I don’t know what I saw in you anyway.”
    He turns, but not before landing another verbal blow. “Now I know why your dad killed himself. Probably was sick of you too. He couldn’t walk away so he offed himself so he wouldn’t have to look at your pathetic face again.”
    Emotional bubble wrap. I try to surround myself with it to deflect the blows. But this one lands deep in my heart. He grins when he sees he’s hit the mark.
    Then he’s gone. I hear the front door slam against the wall. I slump into the corner, my legs finally giving out.

Chapter 7—Ken
    I take the steps two at a time and nearly plow into a dude coming around the corner.
    “Sorry man,” I say, stepping out of his way.
    “Fuck you.” The words are low, under his breath, but he’s gone, down the steps and on the lower level before I have time to respond.
    Prick.
    I glance at Steph’s driver’s license again, make sure I remember which apartment she’s in. 2B. Finding the directional arrows, I turn left and locate her apartment. Light spills from her door and onto the landing.
    I knock, wondering if she opened the door when she got my text. I glance at my phone. No, I don’t have the handy little ‘seen’ message letting me know it’s been read. I knock again. Nothing. I push open the door and call her name. Again, nothing.
    Listening, I hear it. Anguish. I step into her apartment and follow the sound.
    I follow the sound to the bedroom and I see Steph, mascara running down her cheeks, curled up on her bed. “Are you okay?” Shit, of course she’s not okay, any idiot can see that.
    “I didn’t mean to let myself in, but I heard you and since the door was open, I wanted to make sure you were